"I believe, Mr. Barker," said Brown, "that you belong to the freshman class."

"That's a good joke," said Sam to himself. "I'll see it through."

He was not a little flattered at being mistaken for a collegian, and nodded assent.

"We have heard of you, Mr. Barker," said Jones, in the most favorable manner. "We belong to the senior class, and at our last meeting we elected you unanimously a member of the Alpha Zeta Society."

"You don't say so!" exclaimed Sam, really astonished.

"We have inquired of the faculty concerning your scholarship, and have been told that you are one of the best scholars in the class."

"If that's so," thought Sam, "the class don't know much."

"There are plenty that know more than me," said Sam, aloud.

"All your modesty, Mr. Barker," said Robinson. "We are convinced that you are a first-class man, and will be an acquisition to our society."

"What does it all mean?" Sam began to wonder.

"We are a committee of the society appointed to initiate you by the usual impressive ceremonies," said Brown. "It is very fortunate we have met with you, for Saturday is our day for initiations."

"Is it?"

"Yes; have you any particular engagement for the next hour?"

"Not as I know of."

"Then we will at once proceed to the society room and take you to the initiation. Are you ready?"

"I haven't made my will yet," said Sam, humorously.

The three sophomores looked at each other doubtfully. Perhaps their intended butt was not as verdant as they supposed.

"That formality is not necessary," said Jones, after a pause, "unless you desire to leave any money to the society."

"I guess I'll join first, and see how I like it," said Sam.

"Quite reasonable," said Brown, in a tone of satisfaction.

"We'd better not lose any time," said Robinson.

"Follow us, Mr. Barker," said Brown.

"All right, gentlemen."

Robinson offered his arm, and the four proceeded to one of the older college halls, and ascended to a room on the third floor.

"Ain't they sold, though!" thought Sam, with an inward chuckle. "They think I'm a student, and I'll find out all about their society--I can't think of the outlandish name."

The door was locked, and then Brown said: "Mr. Barker, you will not object to be blindfolded, of course."

"Go ahead," said Sam. "If that's the regular thing, I'm agreeable."

He was blindfolded by Brown and seated in the center of the room. He heard various movements, lasting for perhaps five minutes. Then the bandage was removed, and Sam saw that his three companions were metamorphosed. All wore masks. The light of day had been shut out, and four candles were burning on the table. In the center was a skull, and beside it was a large book, a photograph book, by the way.

"Barker," said one of the masked figures in a sepulchral voice, "do you desire to join our mystic band?"

"You bet!" answered Sam.

"No levity," was the stern reply. "Before you are admitted you must swear solemnly not to divulge the secrets of the association."

"I won't," said Sam.

"'Tis not enough. You must swear!"

"All right, I swear."

"Kiss this book, and swear with uplifted hand."

Sam did so.

"Do you know what will be the penalty if you violate the oath?"

"I'll be 'bounced,' I expect."

"Worse than that. Do you see this skull?"

"Yes, I do."

"It is the skull of a freshman who joined our society five years since, and divulged the secrets."

"What did he die of?" asked Sam.

"He disappeared," said Brown, impressively. "He was found dead in his bed one morning, with a dagger in his heart."

"You don't say so!" said Sam, impressed in spite of himself.

"It was a fitting punishment. Don't incur it."

"I won't," said Sam. "I don't know anything to tell anyway."

"You shall know all. Our society was founded hundreds of years ago by the emperor Charlemagne."

This didn't impress Sam as much as was expected, since he had never heard of the Emperor Charlemagne.

"Kings, nobles, prime ministers have belonged to our mystic ranks,"

proceeded Brown.

"Then I wonder they elected me in?" thought Sam.