The Devil Rides Out by Dennis Wheatley Page B

upstairs in their room peering into a piece of glass.
    â€˜In some ways I suffer the disappointment,’ said the old Countess suddenly, and Rex found her studying him with a strange, disconcerting look. ‘I know well that promiscuity gives a great power for all ’oo follow the Path an’ that ’uman love ’inders our development, but nevair ’ave I been able to free myself from a so stupid sentimentality–an’ you would, I think, ’ave made a good lover for ’er.’
    Rex stared in astonished silence, then looked quickly away, as she added: ‘No matter–the other ees of real importance. I will send for ’er that you may give your message.’
    With a little jerk she stood up and, gripping her ebony cane, stumped across to the hall porter’s desk while he relaxed, unutterably glad that this extraordinary interview was over.
    However, he felt a glow of satisfaction in the thought that he had duped her into the belief that De Richleau and himself were even more powerful adepts than Mocata, and at having played his cards sufficiently well to secure a meeting with Tanith under such favourable circumstances. If only he could get her into his car, he was determined to inveigle her into giving him any information she possessed which might lead to the discovery of Simon’s whereabouts, although, since Madame D’Urfé was ignorant of the fact that he was no longer with the Duke, it was hardly likely that Tanith would actually be able to take them to him.
    With new anxiety Rex realised the gravity of the check. They had practically counted on Tanith having the knowledge, if only they could get it out of her, and even if he could persuade her to talk about Mocata the man might have a dozen haunts. If so it would be no easy task to visit all before sundown and the urgency of the Duke’s instructions still rang in his ears.
    Today was May Day Eve. The Great Sabbat of the year would be heldtonight. It was absolutely imperative that they should trace and secure Simon before dusk or else, under the evil influence which now dominated his mentality, he would be taken to participate in those unholy rites and jeopardise for ever the flame of goodness, wisdom and right thinking which men term the soul.
    After a moment Madame D’Urfé rejoined him. ‘For tonight at least,’ she whispered, ‘things in dispute between the followers of the Path will be in abeyance, is it not? For all must make their ’omage to the One.’
    He nodded and she bent towards him, lowering her voice still further: ‘If I could but see De Richleau for one moment–as Ipsissimus ’e must possess the unguent?’
    â€˜That’s so,’ Rex agreed, but he was horribly uncertain of his ground again as he added cryptically: ‘But what of the Moon?’
    â€˜Ah, fatality,’ she sighed. ‘I ’ad forgotten that we are in the dark quarter.’
    He blessed the providence which had guided his tongue as she went on sadly: ‘I ’ave try so often but nevair yet ’ave I succeeded. I know all things necessary to its preparation, an’ ’ave gathered every ’erb at the right period. I ’ave even rendered down the fat, but they must ’ave cheated me. It was from a mortuary per’aps–but not from a graveyard as it should ‘ave been.’
    Rex felt the hair bristle on the back of his neck and his whole body stiffened slightly as he heard this gruesome confession. Surely it was inconceivable that people still practised these medieval barbarities, yet he recalled the terrible manifestation that he had witnessed with the Duke on the previous night. After that he could no longer employ modern standards of belief or unbelief to the possibilities which might result from the strange and horrible doings of these people who had given themselves over to ancient cults.
    The old Countess was regarding him again with that