is, Monti never did set his eyes on the grimoire.
For all I know, it may not even exist!’
He took out the notebook and gave it to La
Dame.
‘What’s this?’
‘It belonged to Monti. It’s full of bits and
pieces: appointments; notes to remember; this and that; a list of addresses;
the usual sort of thing. But what interests me is what Monti’s written towards
the back – my name and references to the grimoire.’
Rahn watched La Dame’s
face change from frown to deeper frown.
* 17th January
Reference,
Magic ceremonial.
The
Grimorium Verum once reprinted in the French language. Based on the Keys of
Solomon. Of the Italian version there have been two modern editions, both
poorly produced.
The
book of True Black Magic is known only by the edition of 1750. The Grand
Grimoire reappeared at Nismes in 1823 and is, moreover, in all respects
identical with the work entitled the Red Dragon or Le Dragon Rouge, of which
there are several examples.
The
Grimoire of Pope Honorius is exceedingly rare in the original, but is better
known by the reprints of 1660 and 1670, though these also are scarce. There is
an edition dated 1760, and this commands a high price among collectors (known
as Le
Serpent Rouge ?).
Abbé d’Artigny
was presented with an MS. copy of this grimoire, which was much more complete
in all its keys than the printed editions. Possibly it represented the
transition of the Sworn Book of the Theban Honorius into the Spurious Papal
Constitution, which certainly reproduces the motive and moves in the atmosphere
of its prototype.
But all
are incomplete (the last key still missing).
Otto
Rahn, Crusade Against the Grail, page 93 — a skeleton key —
*Abbé knows!
La Dame raised his brows.
‘So which one of these are you looking for, the Grimorium Verum, the Grimoire
of Pope Honorius, or this Sworn Book? And look at the cover of this notebook,
Rahn! Positively diabolical!’ He gave it back, appearing glad to be rid of it.
‘As Sancho would say, I have been considering how little is got or gained by
going in search of these adventures that your worship seeks – in other
words, I don’t see why you have to always find yourself mixed up in these
things, but this time you’ve gone too far! Doesn’t it bother you at all that
your name is in a book owned by a man who was murdered looking for the same
thing that you’re hunting? If Sancho were here he’d suggest you follow your
idea of finding a place to hide in the mountains!’
‘But as Don Quixote would say, it is requisite
to roam the world, as it were, on probation, seeking adventures, in order that,
by achieving some, name and fame may be acquired – until today I would
have agreed with you, but you’ve managed to miss the most important point.’
‘What point? I didn’t know there was a point!’
‘There is always a point!’ Rahn observed.
‘When I mentioned a skeleton key in my book, it was in reference to the
treasure of the Cathars.’
‘You mean the Apocalypse of Saint John, or the
Grail?’
‘Both, but to be completely truthful, I was
speaking metaphorically – it was a literary device. And now, because of
it, Monti has linked Le Serpent Rouge to the Cathar treasure.’
‘And how would it be linked, do you have a
clue?’
‘Not a one!’
‘Well, you’ve done it,’
La Dame said.
‘Done what?’
‘You’ve always wanted fame and grandeur! To
have every man cry out the instant they saw you: “This is the Knight of the
Serpent, who vanquished in single combat the gigantic Brocabruno of mighty
strength!” You’ve become notorious.’
‘One mention in a notebook hardly makes one
notorious. And anyway, I think you’re talking about yourself. Sancho Panza was
the one who wanted material gain. Don Quixote didn’t go into battles and
adventures for opportunities and fame but for a higher gain – something
Sancho Panza never understood.’
‘That’s because he always bore the brunt of
those ill-fated adventures,
For all I know, it may not even exist!’
He took out the notebook and gave it to La
Dame.
‘What’s this?’
‘It belonged to Monti. It’s full of bits and
pieces: appointments; notes to remember; this and that; a list of addresses;
the usual sort of thing. But what interests me is what Monti’s written towards
the back – my name and references to the grimoire.’
Rahn watched La Dame’s
face change from frown to deeper frown.
* 17th January
Reference,
Magic ceremonial.
The
Grimorium Verum once reprinted in the French language. Based on the Keys of
Solomon. Of the Italian version there have been two modern editions, both
poorly produced.
The
book of True Black Magic is known only by the edition of 1750. The Grand
Grimoire reappeared at Nismes in 1823 and is, moreover, in all respects
identical with the work entitled the Red Dragon or Le Dragon Rouge, of which
there are several examples.
The
Grimoire of Pope Honorius is exceedingly rare in the original, but is better
known by the reprints of 1660 and 1670, though these also are scarce. There is
an edition dated 1760, and this commands a high price among collectors (known
as Le
Serpent Rouge ?).
Abbé d’Artigny
was presented with an MS. copy of this grimoire, which was much more complete
in all its keys than the printed editions. Possibly it represented the
transition of the Sworn Book of the Theban Honorius into the Spurious Papal
Constitution, which certainly reproduces the motive and moves in the atmosphere
of its prototype.
But all
are incomplete (the last key still missing).
Otto
Rahn, Crusade Against the Grail, page 93 — a skeleton key —
*Abbé knows!
La Dame raised his brows.
‘So which one of these are you looking for, the Grimorium Verum, the Grimoire
of Pope Honorius, or this Sworn Book? And look at the cover of this notebook,
Rahn! Positively diabolical!’ He gave it back, appearing glad to be rid of it.
‘As Sancho would say, I have been considering how little is got or gained by
going in search of these adventures that your worship seeks – in other
words, I don’t see why you have to always find yourself mixed up in these
things, but this time you’ve gone too far! Doesn’t it bother you at all that
your name is in a book owned by a man who was murdered looking for the same
thing that you’re hunting? If Sancho were here he’d suggest you follow your
idea of finding a place to hide in the mountains!’
‘But as Don Quixote would say, it is requisite
to roam the world, as it were, on probation, seeking adventures, in order that,
by achieving some, name and fame may be acquired – until today I would
have agreed with you, but you’ve managed to miss the most important point.’
‘What point? I didn’t know there was a point!’
‘There is always a point!’ Rahn observed.
‘When I mentioned a skeleton key in my book, it was in reference to the
treasure of the Cathars.’
‘You mean the Apocalypse of Saint John, or the
Grail?’
‘Both, but to be completely truthful, I was
speaking metaphorically – it was a literary device. And now, because of
it, Monti has linked Le Serpent Rouge to the Cathar treasure.’
‘And how would it be linked, do you have a
clue?’
‘Not a one!’
‘Well, you’ve done it,’
La Dame said.
‘Done what?’
‘You’ve always wanted fame and grandeur! To
have every man cry out the instant they saw you: “This is the Knight of the
Serpent, who vanquished in single combat the gigantic Brocabruno of mighty
strength!” You’ve become notorious.’
‘One mention in a notebook hardly makes one
notorious. And anyway, I think you’re talking about yourself. Sancho Panza was
the one who wanted material gain. Don Quixote didn’t go into battles and
adventures for opportunities and fame but for a higher gain – something
Sancho Panza never understood.’
‘That’s because he always bore the brunt of
those ill-fated adventures,
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