Volume II Part 25 (1/2)
The bargain was made, and Noman was speedily conducted to the chamber.
Sentinels were posted at the door, and round the outside, to prevent either entrance or exit.
A long hour had nigh elapsed, and the watchers were grown weary. Some thought he had gone off in a chariot of smoke through the roof, or in a whirlwind of infernal brimstone; while others, not a few, were out of doors gazing steadfastly up towards the chimneys, expecting to see him perched there, like a daw or starling, ready for flight. But when the hour was fulfilled, the beggar lifted up the latch, and walked forth alone, without let or molestation.
”Whither away, Sir Grey-back?” said Nicholas, ”and wherefore in such haste? We have a word or so ere thou depart. Art thou prepared?”
”Ay, if it so please thee.”
”And when dost thou begin thine exorcism?”
”Now, if so be that thou have courage. But I warn thee of danger therefrom. If thou persist, verily in this chamber shall it be done.”
”Then return, we will follow--as many as have courage, that is,” said Nicholas Haworth, looking round and observing that his attendants, with pale faces and mewling stomachs, did manifest a wondrous inquietude, and a sudden eagerness to depart. Yet were there some whose curiosity got the better of their fears, and who followed, or rather hung upon their master's skirts, into the chamber, which, even in the broad and cheerful daylight, looked a gloomy and comfortless and unhallowed place. Noman commanded that silence should be kept, that not even a whisper should breathe from other lips than his own.
He drew a line with his crutch upon the floor, and forbade that any should attempt to pa.s.s this imaginary demarcation. The auditors were all agape, and but that the door was fastened, some would doubtless have gone back, repenting of their temerity.
After several unmeaning mummeries and incantations, the chamber appeared to grow darker, and a low rumbling noise was heard, as from some subterraneous explosion.
”_Dominus vobisc.u.m_,” said the necromancer; and a train of fire leapt suddenly across the room. A groan of irrepressible terror ran through the company; but the exorcist, with a look of reprehension for their disobedience, betook himself again to his e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.ns. Retiring backwards a few paces to a corner of the room, he gave three audible knocks upon the floor, which, to the astonishment and dismay of the a.s.sembly, were distinctly repeated, apparently from beneath. Thrice was this ceremony gone through, and thrice three times was the same answer returned.
”Restless spirit,” said the conjuror, solemnly, and in a voice and manner little accordant with those of an obscure and unlearned beggar; ”why art thou disquieted, and what is the price of thy departure?”
No answer was given, though the question was repeated. The adjurer appeared, for one moment, fairly at a nonplus.
”By thine everlasting doom, I conjure thee, answer me!” Still there was no reply. ”Thou shalt not evade me thus,” said he, indignant at the slight which was put upon his spells. He drew a little ebony box from his bosom, and on opening it smoke issued therefrom, like the smell of frankincense. With this fumigation he used many uncouth and horrible words, hard names, and so forth, which probably had no existence save in the teeming issue of his own brain. During this operation groans were heard, at first low and indistinct, then loud and vehement; soon they broke into a yell, so shrill and piercing that several of the hearers absolutely tried, through horror and desperation, to burst the door; but this was secure, and their egress prevented thereby.
”Now answer me what thou wouldst have, and tell me the terms of thy departure hence.”
A low murmur was heard. The beggar listened with great attention.
”This wandering ghost avoucheth,” said he, after all was silent, ”that there be two of them, and that they rest not until they have taken possession of this house, and driven the inhabitants therefrom.”
”Hard law this,” said Nicholas Haworth; ”but, for all their racket, I shan't budge.”
”Then must they have a sacrifice for the wrong done when they were i'
the body; being slain, as they say, by their guardian, a wicked uncle, that he might possess the inheritance.”
Again he made question, looking all the while as though talking to something that was present and visible before him.
”What would ye for your sacrifice, evil and hateful things? for I know, in very deed, that ye are not the innocent and heavenly babes whose spirits are now in glory, but devilish creatures who have been permitted to walk here unmolested, for the wickedness that hath been done. Again, I say that your unwillingness sufficeth not, for ye shall be driven hence this blessed day.”
Another shriek announced their apprehension at this threat, and again there was a murmuring as before.
”He sayeth,” cried the exorcist, after listening a while, ”they must have a living body sacrificed, and in four quarters it must be laid; then shall these wicked spirits not return hither until what is severed be joined together. With this hard condition we must be content.”
”Then, by 'r lady's grace, if none else there be, thou shalt be the holocaust for thy pains,” said Nicholas, ”for I think we need not any other. What say ye, shall not this wizard be the sacrifice, and we then rid the world of a batch of evil things at once?” He looked with a cruel eye upon the mendicant; for he judged that his sister had, in some way or another, fallen a victim to his devilish plots; and he would have thought it little harm to have poured out his blood on the spot. The beggar seemed aware of his danger, but with a loud and peremptory tone he cried--
”There needeth not so costly an oblation. Bring hither the first brute animal ye behold, any one of you, on crossing the threshold of the porch.”