"It's a Small World"
'Chief Inspector Patrick Muldoon' made his contact with 'Pug Mahone' (the Go Between), who immediately set up the meeting between 'Patrick' (the Proposer) 'Amos' (the Proposed) and 'Jimmy Light' (The Elder), the meeting took place in an apartment in 'Sloane Square' which was generally occupied by a close associate of 'Jimmy Light' and it was there that 'Amos De Crow' presented his credentials.
After some 'In-Depth' questioning and instruction, 'Amos' received the sanction of 'Jimmy' that he should be made 'Privy' to the 'Inner Secrets' of 'Recognition' and thus was 'Initiated subsequent to his taking the 'Oath of Allegiance' and pledging that such 'Oath' precedes all others.
'Recognition' of one 'Brother' (whether by or to) another is as simple as it is effective, it is mostly achieved 'Verbally' (although there are other methods) BUT, NOTHING is ever in 'Writing' nor do displays of 'Ridiculous Antics' such as are practised by other 'Fraternities' form any part of procedure, a few 'Well Rehearsed' words of exchange and one or two 'Secret signs and Symbols', are all that is necessary and obviously THEY must remain in the domain of 'The Brotherhood'.
'Jimmy Light' was at first a little 'Over Cautious' when he was made aware of the fact that 'Patrick' was a 'Senior Police Officer' BUT, his 'Caution' was quickly dispersed when he received the assurance of 'Pug Mahone' that 'Patrick' was an old and trusted 'Brother', 'Jimmy' wondered why the identity of 'Patrick' was not protected by a 'Nom de Plume' in common with EVERY 'Brother' (other than himself) and accepted that such would not be possible due to 'Patrick's' position in the 'Police Force', however, since 'Pug' had known 'Patrick' as 'Ernie O'Hara' for so many years past, it was decided that 'Exceptions' should be made in both the cases of 'Patrick AND 'Amos' since they would prove to be (hopefully), very 'Valuable Assets' in certain areas where the 'General Public' could not gain access to information.
With 'Amos De Crow' in the position that HE was in on the 'Inside' (as it were), he would be able to 'Pinpoint' any acts of 'Misfeasance' within 'Government Departments', furthermore, since such 'Acts' invariably resulted in the 'Syphoning of the Public Purse', the 'Monies' realised could certainly be regarded as 'Stolen Goods' and, since the 'Code of the Brotherhood' embraces the policy that there is 'No Crime' in relieving a 'Thief' of his 'Ill Gotten Gains', the 'Coffers' of 'The Brotherhood' could very well be soon bulging quite substantially and legitimately in accordance with such 'Code'.
When one considers the number of times the terms 'Wastage' 'Misuse' 'Misappropriation' and many other like descriptions covering the 'Disappearance' of monies intended for 'Foreign Aid' or other seemingly 'Noble' purposes, one can imagine just how great an 'Asset' it could be to 'The Brotherhood' that such an 'Insider' as 'Amos De Crow' might well be able to 'Channel' the obvious 'Thefts' toward the more deserving resources of 'The Brotherhood', who would and DO use their finances for 'Genuine' purposes.
'Jimmy' had instantly recognised 'Amos' when they first shook hands, he sensed that 'Amos' did not recognise HIM and was greatly relieved, however, his initial thoughts were that the appearance of a 'Police Officer' and the 'Victim' of an assault which he had witnessed, might in some way pose a threat to his safety, after all, he was still somewhat apprehensive about his position and it DID seem strangely 'Coincidental' that the 'Black Geezer' (as 'Jimmy' had referred to him up to that point) should now be seeking enrolment to 'The Brotherhood', strange indeed but not impossible, perhaps even a 'Blessing' since 'Jimmy' had always regarded himself as one 'Blessed' by 'Providence' and, since no mention was made of anything outside of the business in hand, 'Jimmy' kept his own counsel on the matter, he MIGHT discuss the situation 'Sine Die' (at some other time) and he laughed inwardly at the thought that he should think of such a 'Legal Term', one which had been used in a 'Court of Law' when he was released from custody after an affray with a 'Security Guard' at 'Tesco's' when, as 'Founder Member' of the 'S.C.R.O.T.U.M.S. movement (Senior Citizens Revolt Over The Unfair Monetary System), he rushed to the assistance of a 'Pensioner' who was being 'Apprehended' for stealing a packet of 'Digestive Biscuits', but THAT is another story.
Taking their leave of 'Jimmy Light', 'Patrick' and 'Amos' made their way to a coffee shop and considered their next move which was to make contact with 'Andy', it was agreed that they should invite him for lunch at 'Finchley Golf Club' and emphasize that the 'Reason' for such an 'Invitation' was that 'Amos' had been so impressed by 'Andy's' candour, he felt that they should meet again in order to 'Regale' each other with their tales of 'Derring-Do'.
'Patrick' quite easily obtained the details of 'Andy' and within the hour 'Amos' was speaking to him on the telephone, his 'Invitation' was readily accepted and 'Lunch' was arranged for the following day which presented no problems for any of the three of them, 'Amos' DID inform 'Andy' that he had obtained his telephone number from 'Chief Inspector Patrick Muldoon' but did not inform him that 'The Inspector' would be joining them, both 'Patrick' and he had decided that 'Andy' might be less eager to accept the 'Invitation' if a 'Police Officer' was also an invited guest, after all, it was a 'Police Officer' that had arrested him for the 'Boot in the Backside' of the 'Lout' and it may have discouraged him.
Thus, the next day, 'Amos' met 'Andy' in the 'Car Park' of the 'Finchley Golf Club' where they were joined by 'Patrick', 'Andy' was somewhat surprised to learn of THIS arrangement but was soon reassured that the 'Lunch' was to be a purely 'Social Event' and the three of them took their places in the 'Member's Lounge'.
It was 'Amos' that opened the conversation regarding the difficulties 'Andy' must have surmounted during his period of 'Self Imposed Exile', he wondered how 'Andy' was able to survive the rigours of such an existence and complimented him on the fact that, as HE had indicated, he had managed to 'Keep his Nose Clean' throughout such a period.
'Andy' shifted uneasily in his chair when 'Amos' posed such a question, his eyes darted from one of his companions to the other and he half raised himself from his seat as if intent upon a swift departure, it was obvious that he was not quite as comfortable as he would like to be and, but for the interjection of 'Patrick' when 'Amos' tried to repair the damage, perhaps 'Andy' would have departed.
'Patrick' held up his hand and spoke directly to 'Andy', "One moment !" he said "We both can understand your surprise at being brought here and finding yourself in circumstances that you did not expect BUT, there is a very sound reason for the arrangement and I apologise for our clumsiness, please 'Andy', allow us the time to explain that reason to you".
'Andy' slowly sat down again, he leaned back in his chair and prepared himself for whatever explanation he was about to receive, 'Patrick' opened up a new conversation, he firstly made it known that his name was 'Patrick' and that his position as a 'Police Officer' was of no consequence in the matters about which they would now discuss, he pointed to 'Amos' and applied the same 'Boundaries' to HIS position, furthermore, ANY discussion that took place would be utterly confidential and he gave his solemn promise that both he and 'Amos' would respect such a promise.
Whether by 'Accident', 'Foreknowledge' or even 'Fate', THOSE words were the 'Clincher' as far as 'Andy' was concerned for HE, above ALL else, was a 'Man of Honour' in the truest sense and we shall soon learn the validity of such a description, he offered his hand to both of his companions and readily consented to the request made of him.
'Patrick' began to speak to 'Andy' in precisely the same fashion as he had spoken to 'Amos' when he initially broached the subject of the 'Basic Principles' of the 'Honour Code', he gently probed the responses of 'Andy' and was finding it so much easier to explain than he had done with 'Amos', he was watching the expressions which seemed to dance across the face of 'Andy' as he responded to questions, questions about 'Respect', 'Society', Human Interactions, and 'Racism' to name but a few, 'Patrick' was quite pleased by the responses he received but he was totally unprepared for the next comment 'Andy' made which was in no way connected to his answer to the question posed.
'Andy' leaned toward his two companions and quietly uttered the words of "The Secret Sentence !", in astonishment both of them shot back into their seats and it was 'Patrick' who made the correct reply which determined that all three were 'Brothers'.
As if the 'Revelation' by 'Andy' was not enough, further discussion revealed some truly remarkable facts, 'Andy' had first encountered 'Jimmy Light' when he first absconded all those years ago, he had made his way to 'Brighton' with his 'Girlfriend' and there, whilst walking along the seafront on a cold evening, wondering about where to rest for the night, they became aware of a 'Young Man' of similar age to himself staring at them, they assumed that he was also suffering the rigours of the cold and invited him to join them for a cup of tea in a nearby 'Cafe', THAT meeting was a turning point in the life of our 'Young Fugitive', that small act of 'Kindness' to a 'Stranger' was the 'Springboard' to a life of 'Safe Passage' through 'Stormy Waters' for 'Jimmy Light' had but recently formed 'The Brotherhood' as an act of 'Defiance' against the 'Corruption' of the 'Police Force' in 'Brighton', (a well documented period when young people were being 'Bribed' and 'Bullied' into accepting responsibility for 'Crimes' they did not commit, in order that 'The Force' would be viewed more favourably) 'Jimmy' had many connections in and around both the 'London' and Brighton' areas, he was able to direct both 'Andy' and his 'Girlfriend' to an 'Hotel' where BOTH of them would be given a job and accommodation.
'Andy' naturally accepted the offer, he became one of the 'Earliest' members of 'The Brotherhood' and he now expressed his great 'Joy' to learn that after so many years, 'The Brotherhood' was attracting such persons as those who sat before him now.
The story of the many 'Adventures' (or if you prefer 'Acts of Derring-Do) experienced by 'Andy', will make good reading I am sure, perhaps HIS story should be told.
How strangely 'Fate' doth place it's hand upon us ALL, how sad we mostly let it pass unnoticed, how true the words of he who first announced, "It's a Small World !".