Inform the companies,"
etc. Warden obeys. Signs given. Most Potent knocks eight and one, and
Warden eight and one, and companies eight and one, with their hands;
and Most Potent declares the Chapter open.

LECTURE.--Question--Are you an E. K.? A. One cavern received me, one
lamp gave me light, and one fountain refreshed me.

Q. Where were you received? A. In the audience chamber of Solomon.

Q. How were you received? A. I was hoodwinked and conducted by the
Master of Ceremonies to the door of the Chapter, where he gave eight
and one distinct knocks.

Q. To what do those knocks allude? A. To the number of the nine elect.

Q. How were those knocks answered? A. By eight and one from within.

Q. What followed? A. I was asked, "Who comes there?"

Q. Your answer? A. A companion, to whose lot it has fallen to
accompany the stranger in search of the assassins of Hiram Abiff.

Q. What followed? A. I was conducted by the hand to the west, and
asked by the Most Potent, what I wanted.

Q. Your answer? A. To be made an Elected Knight.

Q. What then followed? A. I was asked if I had courage to go in
pursuit of the assassins of Hiram Abiff, which question I answered in
the affirmative, and was addressed by the Most Potent in the following
manner:--"If you have, you shall be shown the place where one of his
murderers lies concealed; a stranger has discovered it to me, and if
you have resolution, follow this stranger."

Q. What was then done to you? A. The Master of Ceremonies led me out
of the Chapter, by intricate roads, and at last seated me on a stone,
and thus addressed me:--"I am going to leave you, but be of good
cheer, I shall not be long absent; when I am gone, you must take the
bandage off your eyes, and drink some water from the fountain beside
you, that you may be refreshed after so fatiguing a journey."

Q. What followed? A. I removed the bandage and found myself alone in a
cavern, in which was a lamp, a fountain, and a head just severed from
the body. In a short time the Master of Ceremonies returned, and
directed me to take a poniard in my right hand, and the head in my
left, and then conducted me to the door of the Chapter, where I
knocked eight and one with my foot, which was answered from within,
and I was asked, "What do you want?"

Q. Your answer? A. To enter this Chapter of Elected Knights.

Q. What followed? A. I was asked by what right I claimed this
privilege.

Q. Your answer? A. I Have perform