"You are very daring and meddlesome," said the voice, issuing in chilly tones from behind the stately mask, "for you have intruded yourself into affairs which have nothing to do with you." "They have everything to do with me," retorted Halliday decisively and feeling reckless, "if you and your society are omniscient, you should know." "Omniscient is a good word. We know that you love Lillian Moon and wish to marry her; we know that her uncle is willing this should be, if you discover the truth about his brother's death. You have been searching for the assassin, and you are still searching. That search must stop." "I think not." "If you refuse to obey," said Queen Beelzebub coldly, "we can put you out of the way as we have put others out of the way." "The Law----" A faint murmur of laughter was heard, suggestive of scorn. "We care nothing for the law," said the speaker contemptuously. "Oh, I think you do, or you would not have taken all this trouble to have me brought here." "You are here to receive an offer." "Indeed. I shall be glad to hear the offer." "We wish you to join the Society of Flies and swear to obey me, the queen." "Thank you, but an association of cut-throats does not appeal to me." "Think twice before you refuse," the voice became threatening. "I think once, and that is sufficient," returned Dan drily. "You are at our mercy. We can kill you as we have killed others." "There are worse things than death. Dishonor." "You talk like a fool," scoffed Queen Beelzebub. "What is dishonor? Merely a word. It means nothing." "I can well believe that it means nothing to you and your friends," said Dan, who was weary of this fencing: "may I ask what advantage I gain by becoming a member of your bloodthirsty gang?" "We are an association," boomed the great voice, "banded against the injustice of the world. We resent few people having wealth and the majority going without the necessaries of life. Being limited in number, the Law is too strong for us, and we cannot gain our objects openly; therefore we have to strike in the dark." "And your objects?" "To equalize wealth, to give our members wealth, position, comfort, and power." "Oh. It's a kind of Socialistic community. You work for the poor." "We work for ourselves. "Rather selfish, isn't it?" "People will only work for self, and to those who labor for us we give all that they wish for. Become a member and you will realize your heart's desire." "Perhaps," said Halliday in a caustic tone, "I may realize that without your aid." "We think not. To marry Lillian Moon you must find who murdered her father, and that person will never be found." "Then why stop me from searching?" "It is a pity you should waste your time," said Queen Beelzebub sarcastically, "besides you are one who would do honor to our society." "Perhaps. But would the society do honor to me?" "We can give you what you desire, on certain conditions." "What are they?"