“I discover,” he said, “that you are a member of that venerable and secret
order instituted by king Solomon and Hiram Abiff, the widow’s son.”
“Yes—for more than forty years.”
“And has it been of service to you?”
“Oh yes! I have discovered in it a mine of spiritual treasures. Its
symbols and ceremonies embody a system of universal philosophy unknown
even to its members. It is an epitome of the spiritual mysteries of the
universe.”
“How comes it,” said he, “that a disciple of the square and compass, who
has stood upon the tesselated pavement, is confined at hard labor as a
criminal?”
“Ah sir! I was quite a youth when I came here. I was innocent, but I had
none to defend me.”
“Is it possible!” said he, and walked toward the governor of the prison,
with whom he entered into conversation.
The next day I received a full discharge from my sentence, and a handsome
present of money from the chief architect.