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“Whom have we here?”
“ Most Noble Chief,” said
Sloan, humbly, “I have a friend in charge, who wishes to become a worthy member of this league.”
“His name?”
“
Timothy Webster.”
“ Have the objects of the league been fully explained to him?”
“ They have.”
The gruff-voiced speaker then said:
Mr. Webster, is it your desire to become a member of this knightly band?
“It is,” responded the detective, firmly.
There was a sound as of a number of swords leaping from their scabbards, and the clank and ring of the steel as the blades seemed to meet above his head.
Then the
Grand Chief continued:
You will now kneel upon one knee, and place your right hand upon your heart, while I administer to you the binding obligation of our brotherhood.
Webster did as he was directed, and in this attitude repeated the following oath, as it was dictated to him:
I, Timothy Webster, citizen of Baltimore, having been informed of the objects of this association, and being in full accord with the cause which it seeks to advance, do solemnly declare and affirm, upon my sacred honor, that I will keep forever secret all that I may see or hear, in consequence of being a member