“For the time being, nothing. My dear Bondy, I just study and compare. It is a second Babel. Here, for instance, you have the Roman Catholic publications expressing the suspicion that ‘the confusions of these times of religious excitement are being deliberately organized with Satanic subtlety by the Freemasons.’ The Nationalist Press blames the Jews, the Socialists of the Right blame those of the Left, the Agrarian party attacks the Liberals; it’s killing. And mind you, we’re not really in the whirlpool yet. In my opinion, the whole thing is only just beginning to get into a tangle. Come here, Bondy, I want to tell you something.”

“Well?”

“Do you think that He . . . you know what I mean . . . that He’s the only one there is?”

“I don’t know,” replied Bondy. “And is it of any special importance?”

“Immense importance,” Marek answered. “Come closer, Bondy, and prick up your ears.”

XVII. The Hammer and Star

CHAPTER XVII

THE HAMMER AND STAR

“B ROTHER SENIOR WARDEN, what do you see in the East?” asked the Worshipful Master. He was dressed all in black, wore the white leather apron, and held the silver gavel in his hand.

“I see the Masters assembled in the Temple and ready for labour,” said the Senior Warden.

The Worshipful Master gave a knock with his gavel.

“Brother Junior Warden, what do you see in the West?”

“I see the Masters assembled in the Temple and ready for labour.”

The Worshipful Master knocked three times with his gavel. “Let the labour begin.”

The Brothers of the Free French Masonic Lodge, “The Hammer and Star,” took their seats, never taking their eyes off the Worshipful Master, G. H. Bondy, who had called them together at such an unusual time. The lodge was as quiet as a church between the black-draped walls with the maxims of the craft woven in the hangings. Bondy, the Worshipful Master, was pale and thoughtful.

“Brothers,” said the Worshipful Master after a while, “I have summoned this unusual meeting . . . for this . . . er . . . unusual labour, which in . . . er . . . unusual opposition to the secret precepts of our Order . . . is no mere formality. I know . . . that I am violating the solemn and consecrated form of our labour . . . in asking you to come to a decision upon . . . a really serious . . . and public matter . . . of the highest importance.”

“The Worshipful Master in the Chair has the right to order our labour,” declared the Judex Formidabilis, causing general agitation among his hearers.