福尔摩斯探案集第5季 福尔摩斯探案经典:《恐怖谷》第10章Part4

福尔摩斯探案经典:《恐怖谷》第10章Part4  

"Take a stride forward to prove it."
As the words were said he felt o hard points in front of his eyes
pressing upon them so that it appeared as if he could not move forward without a danger of losing them. None the less
he nerved himself to step resolutely out
and as he did so the pressure melted away. There was a low murmur of applause.
"He is of stout heart
" said the voice. "Can you bear pain?"
"As well as another
" he answered.
"Test him!"
It was all he could do to keep himself from screaming out
for an agonizing pain shot through his forearm. He nearly fainted at the sudden shock of it; but he bit his lip and clenched his hands to hide his agony.
"I can take more than that
" said he.
This time there was loud applause. A finer first appearance had never been made in the lodge. Hands clapped him on the back
and the hood was plucked from his head. He stood blinking and smiling amid the congratulations of the brothers.
"One last word
Brother McMurdo
" said McGinty. "You have already sworn the oath of secrecy and fidelity
and you are aware that the punishment for any breach of it is instant and inevitable death?"
"I am
" said McMurdo.
"And you accept the rule of the Bodymaster for the time being under all circumstances?"
"I do."
"Then in the name of Lodge 341
Vermissa
I wele you to its privileges and debates. You will put the liquor on the table
Brother Scanlan
and we will drink to our worthy brother."
McMurdo's coat had been brought to him; but before putting it on he examined his right arm
which still smarted heavily. There on the flesh of the forearm was a circle with a triangle within it
deep and red
as the branding iron had left it. One or o of his neighbours pulled up their sleeves and showed their own lodge marks.
"We've all had it
" said one; "but not all as brave as you over it."
"Tut! It was nothing
" said he; but it burned and ached all the same.
When the drinks which followed the ceremony of initiation had all been disposed of
the business of the lodge proceeded. McMurdo
accustomed only to the prosaic performances of Chicago
listened with open ears and more surprise than he ventured to show to what followed.
"The first business on the agenda paper
" said McGinty
"is to read the following letter from Division Master Windle of Merton County Lodge 249. He says:
"Dear Sir:
"There is a job to be done on Andrew Rae of Rae & Sturmash
coal owners near this place. You will remember that your lodge owes us a return
having had the service of o brethren in the matter of the patrolman last fall. You will send o good men
they will be taken charge of by Treasurer Higgins of this lodge
whose address you know. He will show them when to act and where. Yours in freedom
"J.W. WINDLE D.M.A.O.F.