"Came forward," I have said, because I can use no other words.

But such was not the term which would have occurred to any one who witnessed the movement.
"Was dragged forward," I should say, did I attempt to convey the impression produced;--save that no compulsion, no physical force was used, nor were there any to use it.

And yet the miserable man approached slowly, reluctantly, shrinking back as one who strives with superior corporeal power exerted to force him onward, as if physically dragged on step by step by invisible bonds held by hands unseen.

So with white face and shaking form he reached the barrier, and knelt as Esmo rose from his place, honouring instinctively, though his eyes seemed incapable of discerning them, the symbols of supreme authority.
Then, at a silent gesture, he rose and fell back into the chair placed for him, apparently unable to stand and scarcely able to sustain himself on his seat.
"Brother," said the junior of the Chiefs, or he who occupied the place farthest to the right;--and now I noticed that eleven were present, the last seat on the right of him who spoke being vacant--"you have unveiled to strangers the secrets of the Shrine." He paused for an answer; and, in a tone strangely unnatural and expressionless, came from the scarcely parted lips of the culprit the reply--" "It is true." "You have," said the next of the Chiefs, "accepted reward to place the lives of your brethren at the mercy of their enemies." "It is true." "You have," said he who occupied the lowest seat upon the left, "forsworn in heart and deed, if not in word, the vows by which you willingly bound yourself, and the law whose boons you had accepted." Again the same confession, forced evidently by some overwhelming power from one who would, if he could, have denied or remained silent.
"And to whom," said Esmo, interposing for the first time, "have you thus betrayed us ?" "I know not," was the reply.
"Explain," said the Chief immediately to the left of the Throne, who, if there were a difference in the expression of the calm sad faces, seemed to entertain more of compassion and less of disgust and repulsion towards the offender than any other.
"Those with whom I spoke," replied the culprit, in the same strange tone, "were not known to me, but gave token of authority next to that of the Campta.

They told me that the existence of the Order had long been known, that many of its members were clearly indicated by their household practices, that their destruction was determined; that I was known as a member of the Order, and might choose between perishing first of their victims and receiving reward such as I should name myself for the information I could give." "What have you told ?" asked another of the Chiefs.
"I have not named one of the symbols.