The Worshipful Master raised his eyes and said: “I have to inform you that the Grand Lodge intends to issue instructions relating to the recent occurrences. The Grand Lodge recommends the Masters to join religious circles and organize them in the Masonic sense for the instruction of apprentices in the craft. The new Temples are to be conducted in an enlightened and anticlerical spirit. It is desirable to examine the various doctrines—monism, abstinence, Fletcherism, vegetarianism, and so forth. Each circle is to be instructed in a different faith in order to test out practically which is the best for the welfare of mankind and for the glory of the Most High. These activities are obligatory on all Masters by decree of the Grand Lodge. The meeting will now proceed.”

XVIII. In the Night Editor’s Room

CHAPTER XVIII

IN THE NIGHT EDITOR’S ROOM

T HE largest Catholic or popular newspaper, The People’s Friend, had not a very large editorial staff, and so at 9:30 p.m. there were only two men in the room—Kostal, the night editor (Heaven knows why night editors’ pipes have such an amazing stink), and Father Jost, who sat writing the leader for the next issue and whistling between his teeth.

At that moment Novotny, the printer, came in with the wet proofs.

“Well, how about the leader, gentlemen, the leader?” he growled. “When are we going to set it?”

Father Jost stopped humming. “Ready in a minute, Novotny,” he said quickly. “There’s just a word I can’t get. Have we already had ‘satanic machinations’?”

“The day before yesterday.”

“Aha. And has ‘treacherous onslaught’ been used too?”

“Yes, we’ve had that.”

“‘Knavish imposture’?”

“We ran that to-day.”

“‘Impious fabrication’?”

“At least six times,” said Kostal.

“That’s a pity,” sighed Father Jost. “I think we’ve been a bit too lavish with our ideas. How did you like to-day’s leader, Novotny?”

“Strong stuff,” said the printer. “But we ought to be getting on with the setting.”

“Ready in a minute,” Father Jost replied. “I think our friends in higher quarters were satisfied with this morning’s issue. You’ll see, his Lordship the Bishop will call on us. ‘Jost,’ he’ll say, ‘you let them have it properly.’ Have we used ‘maniacal ravings’?”

“Yes.”

“What a pity! We must bring up fresh guns and blaze away. ‘Jost,’ his Lordship said to me not long ago, ‘Up and at them! Everything may have its day, but we shall stand for ever and aye.’ Mr. Novotny, can’t you think of any suitable phrase?”

“Well, couldn’t you say ‘criminal narrow-mindedness’ or ‘perverse malignity’?”

“That would do splendidly,” said Father Jost, with a sigh of relief. “Where do you get all these bright ideas from, Novotny?”

“From the old files of The People’s Friend. But that leader, your Reverence.”