52

THE SHELVES OF THE library were now full. The packing cases had been cleared away and the librarian, ever industrious, was working on a more advanced cross-referencing system. All that could be heard was the scratching of his nib on pieces of card, like the movements of a mouse behind a skirting board.

The venerable stepped over the threshold and the librarian looked up.

“Please,” said the venerable. “Do carry on-I did not mean to disturb you.”

The librarian nodded and returned to his task.

In the corner a new and very handsome porcelain stove had been fitted. Leather reading chairs had been placed beneath gas lamps. All in all, the ambience was most welcoming.

The venerable walked across the rectangular space and examined the colorful embossed spines.

Humanitas: Transactions, Societas Rosicruciana, The Order of the Secret Monitor.

Below these was a shelf of much larger volumes. They were extremely old and were concerned with ceremonials of all kinds.

The Kabbalistic Master Ritual, The Egyptian Rite, Anointing and Purification.

Then there were the works on philosophy and alchemy.

“Has he agreed?”

It was the librarian.

The venerable turned and smiled. “Yes, brother.”

“He will be initiated here?”

“Yes. He will stay for a few nights with our friends in Pressburgand then he comes to Vienna.”

The coenobitic librarian put his pen down on the desktop. The venerable noticed that the man was breathing heavily.

“Are you well?”

“Yes, of course,” said the librarian, his face flushing slightly. “Very well. I am simply excited by the prospect…”

The venerable walked over to the desk and laid a hand on the librarian's shoulder. “It is wonderful news. But now we have much work to do: such an auspicious occasion must be celebrated with a unique rite. I have some small modifications in mind… Tell me, brother, where can I find the rituals of the Grand Lodge of the Sun?”

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