Duncan's Masonic Ritual and Monitor - Rose Croix

several imprecations, in the clefts of the rocks. Brother Junior Grand Warden, you will
see my orders duly executed. Begone!
p. 115
They all pass out of the Lodge with a rush, into the ante-room, where they form into a
circle. One, acting as the principal mover, raises his right foot from the floor, at the same
time his hands, in the manner of slapping them together, makes two false motions, but at
the third all bring down their right feet and hands together, producing a very sharp noise.
A momentary silence then ensues, during which one of the party groans, as if nearly
dying. This is all intended to produce its effect upon the ears of the candidate. It also
represents the execution and dying groans of Jubela, the first ruffian, and is repeated
twice more to represent the death of the other two ruffians. Some Lodges use a large
drum, others roll a large cannon-ball across the ante-room floor, letting it strike on a
cushion placed against the wall. This is not, however, practised in city Lodges.
The ruffians being executed, the brethren all return quietly to the Lodge, when one of
them reports, in a loud tone of voice:
"Most Worshipful King Solomon, your orders have been duly executed upon the three
murderers of Grand Master, Hiram Abiff." 1
K. S.--You twelve Fellow Crafts will go in search of the body, and, if found, observe
whether the Master's word, or a key to it, or any thing that appertains to the Master's
Degree, is on or about it.
The brethren representing the twelve repentant conspirators now walk out near the spot
where the candidate is lying, and, when close to him, one of the party says:
"Well, brothers, can we find where the acacia was pulled up?"
Approaching the candidate, another replies:
"Yes, this is the place; let us remove the rubbish and dig down here."
A third, lifting up the canvas, says:
"Yes, here is the body of our Grand Master, Hiram Abiff, in a mangled and putrid state.
Let us go and report. But what were our orders? We were ordered to observe whether the
Master's word, or a key to it, or any thing appertaining to the Master's Degree, was on or
about the body; but, brothers, we are only Fellow Crafts, and know nothing about the
Master's word, or a key to it, or any thing appertaining to the Master's
p. 116
Degree; we must, however, make an examination, or we will be put to death."