“And if we succeed in carrying out the conditions?” Hamar asked.

[Illustration:  THE INITIATION]

“Then,” the voice replied, “you will retain free, untrammelled possession of your knowledge.”

“For how long?” Curtis queried.

“For the natural term of your lives—­that is to say, for as long as you would have lived had you never been initiated into the secrets of magic.”

“And if we fail?”

“You will pass into the permanent possession of the Unknown.”

“Does that mean we shall die the moment we fail?” Kelson inquired timidly.

“Die!” the voice lisped.  “Again you speak in terms you do not understand.  You may be sent for.”

“You say—­in perfect harmony.”  Hamar put in.  “Does that mean without a quarrel, however slight?”

“It means without a quarrel that would lead to separation.  The moment you disunite the compact is broken.”

“What advantages will the secrets bring us?” Hamar inquired.  “Can we gain unlimited wealth?”

“Yes!” the voice replied.  “Unlimited wealth and influence.”

“And health?”

“So long as you fulfil the conditions of the compact you will enjoy perfect health.  Will you, or will you not, pledge yourselves?”

“I am ready if you fellows are,” Hamar whispered.

“I am!” Curtis cried.  “Anything is better than the life we are living at present.”

“And I, too,” Kelson said.  “I agree with Ed.”

“Very well then,” the voice once more lisped.  “Each of you take a fruit and eat it, and the compact is irrevocably struck.  You cannot back out of it without incurring the consequences already named.  Don’t be afraid, step up here and help yourselves—­one apiece—­mind, no more.”  And again it seemed to Hamar, Curtis and Kelson as if the tree and everything around it was convulsed with silent laughter.

“Come on!” Hamar cried, somewhat imperatively.  “Don’t waste time.  You’ve decided, and besides, remember this affair may turn out trumps.  I’ll go first,” and walking up to the tree he plucked a fruit and began to eat it.  Curtis and Kelson slowly followed suit.

“I believe I’m eating a live slug, or a toad,” Curtis muttered, with a retch.

“And I, too,” Kelson whispered.  “It’s filthy.  I shall be sick.  If I am, will it make any difference to the compact, I wonder?”

What the fruit really tasted like they could never decide.  It reminded them of many things and of nothing.  It was sweet yet bitter; it repelled but at the same time pleased them; it was as perplexing as the voice—­as enigmatical.  When they had eaten it they resumed their former positions on the ground, and the voice once again addressed them.

“The fruit you have consumed has created in you a fitness to make use of the powers about to be conferred.  You have acquired the faculty of sorcery—­you will be initiated by stages, into the knowledge and practice of it.  These stages, seven in number, will cover the period of your compact, i.e. twenty-one months, and at the end of every three months—­when a fresh stage is reached—­you will receive fresh powers.