Besides the rules already noted, each of the neophytes was told to write an essay upon a given subject and have it ready for reading on the following evening when the senior members of the society would meet the neophytes in Baker's room. Baker was the president of the "Pig," and it was he who held the poker during the deliberations. The neophytes had assembled promptly, and then had been conducted to the room of a senior named Rowe, from which they were called one by one to read their essays. Frank's turn had come last, because there was so much respect for his nerve that the students wanted to give him a particularly hard test, and they believed it would be more effective if they made him wait until toward the end of the evening. Accordingly, Rattleton and the others had been through with their essay reading before Frank was summoned. A couple of seniors went out after Baker gave the order, and presently returned with Merriwell. The latter looked as unconcerned as if he were attending an ordinary recitation. He coughed a little as he entered the smoky room, and then said, "Good-evening, gentlemen," in his pleasantest tone. "Ah, ah! Put down one black mark," exclaimed Baker, severely. Frank looked surprised. He had been told when notified of his election that black marks would be entered against the name of every candidate for every disobedience of the rules, and that if a neophyte got as many as ten black marks he would not be permitted to become a member. "The neophyte has evidently forgotten the rule about speaking aloud," remarked Baker. Every one of the seniors present took out a little memorandum and made a mark against Merriwell's name. Frank had really forgotten the rule for the moment, and his lips parted to say, "Beg pardon," or something of that kind, when it occurred to him that that would bring him another black mark. In fact, the instant his mouth opened, out came the memorandum books, but he shut his lips hard together, and the books went back into the students' pockets. "We will begin with a little music," remarked Baker. "Neophyte Rattleton, come forward." Rattleton at once stepped up and stood in front of Frank. Their eyes met, but each kept his face steady. "Neophyte Merriwell," continued Baker, placing his hand upon Rattleton's shoulder, "this is a bass viol. This is your bow," and he handed him an umbrella. "We want you to play Mendelssohn's Wedding March." Frank took the umbrella and looked from Rattleton to Baker in amazement. "Play, neophyte," thundered Baker. Frank was not certain whether he caught the idea or not, but after a little further hesitation, he took Rattleton by the shoulder and moved the umbrella back and forth across that young man's stomach two or three times. "We don't hear any music!" bawled the seniors in chorus. "Give him a black mark, then!" commanded Baker. Out came the memorandum books, and down went another black mark against Frank's name.