“‘And I,’ hastened to add my companion, ‘I am called George de Sandrelles, Comte de Lude.’ “‘You swear never to reveal that which is about to take place before your eyes?’ “‘We swear it.’ “‘You promise not to be afraid, and not to invoke heaven or the saints?’ “‘We promise.’ “The magician rose; he took a long wand of ebony, approached us, and traced a large circle with it in the dust, inscribed with a number of cabalistic figures. Then he said to us— “‘You can still go away—are you afraid?’ “I wanted to answer in the affirmative, but the count cried in resolute tones— “‘Afraid of the devil? For shame! What do you take us for? Get on with you.’ “And at the same instant we heard thunderous peals—the voice of the magician sounding above the tumult. He gesticulated, shouted, and broke, in some unknown tongue, into a torrent of diabolic invocations. It made one’s hair stand on end. Terror seized me. I clung convulsively to the count’s arm, and implored him to leave the frightful place. “‘The time is past for it,’ cried the sorcerer; ‘do not cross the circle, or you are dead.’ “Suddenly, to the noise of the thunder, succeeded a sound like the rattling of chains that were being dragged along the depths of the cavern. Then we heard dismal howlings. The necromancer’s contortions continued, and his cries redoubled. He uttered barbaric words, and appeared to be in fits of frenzy. In the twinkling of an eye, we were enveloped in flames. “‘Look!’ cried Perditor. “A cry of terror broke from me, as I saw in the midst of this wild whirlwind of fire a huge black goat, loaded with glowing red chains. The howlings grew more fearful, the flames burst into frightful intensity, and a troop of hideous demons, also loaded with chains, began to dance round the goat, waving their torches, and uttering furious shouts and yells. The goat reared on to his hind legs, butted with his horns, and appeared to be the very genius of the infernal scene. “‘Ah! pardieu!’ cried de Lude, ‘the comedy is well played, I own; but I am curious to see the coulisses, and to examine the costumes of the actors closer.’ “He grasped his pistols, and made as if he was going to step over the circle; but at a sign from the magician, all the flames were extinguished, the goat and the demons disappeared. We were plunged once more into profound darkness. At the same moment strong arms seized us, we were dragged hurriedly along the passages, and flung outside the cavern. “I was only too glad of this unlooked-for ending up, and did not ask to go back and get my philtre, and I willingly left the magician in possession of my five louis.