They say that in the old days there were many signs by which our people would recognize one another.

This is the story of one of them.

In the dust you would draw with your toe or the tip of your staff, say, an X, and join the topmost horns with a line.

And then you would wait.

If the stranger did nothing, you would know, and guard your speech.

But if he were of the Wise, he would complete the figure with two more strokes, thus: Λ.

This was called the Secret Star, or the Witch's Rose.

And then you would know indeed.