A murmur of astonishment ran around the assemblage, as the phantoms glanced at one another.
"So far well. The pistol," said the chief.
A ghost stole up to the speaker holding a pistol in one hand, and powder and ball in the other, without the novice seeming to deign a glance in that direction.
"Do you promise passive obedience to the brotherhood, even though it were to recoil on yourself?"
"Whoso enters the household of the Faithful is no longer his own property."
"Hence you will obey any order given you?"
The stranger set the hammer, and the click of it going on full cock was plainly heard in the deep stillness.
"Clap the muzzle to your temple," ordered the president, and the suppliant obeyed without hesitating.
The silence deepened over all; the lamps seemed to fade, and the bystanders had no more breath than ghosts.
The hammer fell and the flint emitted sparks in the pan; but it was only the powder there which took fire and no report followed its ephemeral flame.
An outcry of admiration burst from nearly every breast, and the president instinctively held out his hand toward the novice.
But two tests were not enough for some doubters who called out: "The dagger!"
"Since you require it, bring the dagger," said the presiding officer.
"It is useless," interrupted the stranger, shaking his head disdainfully.
"What do you mean?" asked several voices.
"Useless," repeated the new-comer, in a voice rising above all the others, "for you are wasting precious time. I know all your secrets, and these childish proofs are unworthy the head of sensible beings. That man was not murdered; the stuff I drank was wine hid in a pouch on his chest; the bullet and powder I loaded the trick-pistol with fell into a hollow in the stock when the weapon was cocked. Take back the sham arm, only good to frighten cowards. Rise, you lying corpse; you cannot frighten the strong-minded."
"To know our mysteries, you must be an initiate or a spy," said the president.
"Who are you?" demanded three hundred voices together, as a score of swords shone in the grip of the nearest and were lowered by the regular movement of trained soldiers toward the intruder's bosom.
Calm and smiling, he lifted his head, wound round with the sacred fillet, and replied: