Anthony M. Rud

“ Every member wishes to be left entirely to himself, and you will oblige by not attempting conversation on any topic. Also, nothing but cash is used here. Though we know you to be financially responsible, we are compelled to bar checks because of the difficulty in getting them cashed with perfect safety. When the time comes that you wish to go home, notify an attendant. He will do the rest. At five-thirty all must leave, except those who desire to remain all the next day. If you stay you cannot go home before the next midnight. ”

“ This time, when we swung round a corner, I recognized that we had left the brick and asphalt for the more uneven surface of a country road. Just as I was marking this fact on the envelope, I felt the brakes applied. The light in the interior of the car went out, and we stopped. I hid the evidence I had collected, in my sock, and sat back.
A key clicked, and the left door of the taxi swung open. With a certain uneasiness I saw that all outside was in pitch darkness of a depth of shade never attained by night in any latitude. The car evidently had stopped inside some sort of building. ”

“ Knowing a little about sophomore secret societies formed for purposes not dissimilar, and college fraternities with their folderol and bombastic nonsense, I had looked for skulls, flickering green lights, and solemn vows. ”

“ Descending in the elevator, I walked to the corner of Jackson and Michigan, arriving just three minutes before the appointed time. A flood of cars was coming from the west, joining the great north and south artery in waves directed by the traffic policemen. As I watched the machines approaching, speculating on which would most likely be for me, a nondescript car of the type used by almost all the taxi companies swung from the eastbound throng and drew up at the curb. ”

“ The car performed what I judged to be a complete circle, and headed on westward. Before we had time to pass a full block, however, another turn came. This ought to be an alley, I said to myself. From the south entrance of the alley we emerged to perform more gyrations. Up one block, down another, completely circling a third, we worked gradually west and south, finally to straighten out in a direction I graphed as southerly on my envelope. Whatever might lie at the end of the journey, the driver certainly could not expect his fare to know much concerning the destination. ”

“ Ordinarily you will notify the attendant at what time you will return, and he will do the rest. If for some reason you are away for an indeterminate period, you may let the man who introduced you know when you wish to come back. ”