Page 134 - LESTER'S LOOK TOTHE EAST

S.W. On the day following.

W.M. How was his absence discovered?

S.W. By there being no designs upon his tressel board.

W.M. What followed?

S.W. King Solomon, being informed of this, supposed him to be
indisposed, ordered strict search to be made for him through the several
apartments of the Temple. Search was accordingly made, but he could
not be found.

W.M. What followed?

S.W. King Solomon then feared some accident had befallen him, and
ordered the rolls of the workmen to be called; and on roll call there were
found three Fellow Crafts missing.

W.M. What followed?

S.W. The twelve Fellow Crafts who had recanted from their murderous
designs presented themselves before King Solomon, clothed in white
gloves and aprons, in token of their innocence, confessed their
premeditated guilt and implored his pardon.

W.M. What followed?

S.W. King Solomon ordered them to divide themselves into parties of
three, and travel, three East, three West, three North and three South,
in pursuit of the ruffians.

W.M. What followed?

S.W. The twelve divided; and those who pursued a due westerly
course from the Temple went until they met with a wayfaring man, of
whom they inquired if he had seen any strangers pass that way; who
informed them that he had, three, who from their appearance were
workmen from the Temple, seeking a passage into Ethiopia, but not
having obtained one, had returned back into the country.

W.M. What followed?

S.W. They returned, and brought the intelligence to King Solomon,
who ordered them to divide themselves as before and travel as before,
with positive injunctions to find the criminals, and with as positive
assurance that if they did not they themselves would be deemed the
murderers and severally suffer for their enormous crime.
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