The door of the shack was closed; a board covered the window, but
a murmur of voices came from within. Maurice stole close and
listened. Through a crack he could see the flicker of a
candle-flame, and he heard the voice of Penrod Schofield:
"Roddy Bitts, do you solemnly swear?"
"Well, all right," said the voice of Roddy, somewhat breathless.
"How many fingers you see before your eyes?"
"Can't see any," Roddy returned. "How could I, with this thing
over my eyes, and laying down on my stummick, anyway?"
"Then the time has come," Penrod announced in solemn tones. "The
time has come."
Whack!
Evidently a broad and flat implement was thereupon applied to
Roddy.
"OW!" complained the candidate.
"No noise!" said Penrod sternly, and added: "Roddy Bitts must now
say the oath. Say exackly what I say, Roddy, and if you
don't--well, you better, because you'll see! Now, say 'I solemnly
swear--'"
"I solemnly swear--" Roddy said.
"To keep the secrets--"
"To keep the secrets--" Roddy repeated.
"To keep the secrets in infadelaty and violate and sanctuary.
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