"I don't know. But there _must_ be something." "He's not all-powerful," said Joe. "Otherwise he'd have the whole roost to himself. The churches wouldn't exist...." * * * * * He looked suddenly at Pearl. "The churches!" he exclaimed. "They've been his competition for two thousand years--they must know something about how to handle him! We'll go to a priest, get his advice. I've heard of certain rites and chants to exorcise devils. They must have one for Satan himself!" "When we get to the next town, I'll call Mother," said Pearl, "and you go to the parish house and talk to the priest. Maybe there's something he can do to help us be prepared. We might need that help even tonight. I keep feeling that there is a way the Devil knows things, and that he'd know where to find us when he wants to." "Maybe in his own body, yes. But in a human body, he might be subject to some limitations. Let's hope clairvoyance is one of the things he won't be able to exercise to full effect." "You're whistling in the dark," said Pearl. Joe didn't answer her. He was looking at some headlights coming up behind them. For several miles he watched them, then breathed in relief as they turned off. At least the Devil hadn't found them yet. * * * * * They came to a small town soon, and stopped at a filling station across from a church. Pearl used the phone while Joe had the car gassed up. He questioned the attendant and found that the priest lived right next door to the church, and that he usually was in at this time of the evening. When the car had been serviced, he pulled it over to the side and waited until Pearl came out of the station. "Did you get her?" he asked. "Yes. She'll be waiting for us." "Good. You stay with the kids while I go see the priest." Joe crossed the street and went up to the door of the parish house. He rang the bell. The housekeeper came to the door and welcomed him in with a smile. "Father Lengowski will be out in a moment," she said, indicating a chair in the waiting room. Joe had barely settled himself when the priest walked in. He was a jovial type, and his voice was booming. "What can I do for you, young man?" he asked. "I don't know," said Joe hesitantly, "I came for a little information, and perhaps for a little advice." "Are you in trouble?" asked the priest.