THE COMMITTEE OF TEN It has been said before that Truxton King was the unsuspecting object of interest to two sets of watchers.

The fact that he was under the surveillance of the government police, is not surprising when we consider the evident thoroughness of that department; but that he should be continually watched by persons of a more sinister cast suggests a mystery which can be cleared up by visiting a certain underground room, scarce two blocks from the Tower of Graustark.

It goes without saying that corporeal admittance to this room was not to be obtained easily.

In fact, one must belong to a certain band of individuals; and, in order to belong to that band, one must have taken a very solemn pledge of eternal secrecy and a primal oath to devote his life to certain purposes, good or evil, according to his conscience.

By means of the friendly Sesame that has opened the way for us to the gentler secrets, we are permitted to enter this forbidding apartment and listen in safety to the ugly business of the Committee of Ten.
There were two ways of reaching this windowless room, with its low ceilings and dank airs.