"Деннис Уитли. The Devil Rides Out (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

ceiling to floor with heavy curtains of silk damask, scarlet and
black to exclude the light; at the farther end there stretched a
large tapestry upon which was woven a colossal figure of Lucifer
dominating the whole. Beneath, an altar had been built and amply
furnished with the whole liturgy of Hell; black candles, vessels,
rituals, nothing was lacking. Cushioned prie-dieus and luxurious
chairs, crimson and gold, were set in order for the assistants, and
the chamber lit with electricity fantastically arranged so that it
should glare through an enormous human eye.'
De Richleau hammered the desk with his clenched fist. 'These are
facts I'm giving you Rex-facts, d'you hear, things I can prove by
eye-witnesses still living. Despite our electricity, our aeroplanes,
our modern scepticism, the power of Darkness is still a living
force, worshipped by depraved human beings for their unholy ends in
the great cities of Europe and America to this very day.'
Rex's face had suddenly paled under its tan. 'And you really
think poor Simon has got mixed up in this beastliness?'
'I know it man! Could you have been so intrigued with the girl
that you did not notice the rest of that foul crew? The Albino, the
man with the hare-lip, the Eurasian who only possessed a left arm.
They're Devil Worshippers all of them.'
'Not the girl! Not Tanith!' cried Rex, springing to his feet.
'She must have been drawn into it like Simon.'
'Perhaps, but the final proof lay in that basket. They were about
to practise the age-old sacrifice to their infernal master just as
your Voodoo-ridden Negroes do. The slaughter of a black cock and a
white hen-Yes. What is it?' De Richleau swung round as a soft knock
came on the door.
'Excellency.' His man Max stood bowing in the doorway, 'I thought
I had better bring this to you.' In his open palm he displayed the
jewelled swastika.
With one panther-like spring the Duke thrust him aside and
bounded from the room. 'Simon,' he shouted as he dashed down the
corridor. 'Simon! I command you to stay still.' But when he reached
the bedroom the only signs that Simon had ever occupied it were the
tumbled bed and his underclothes left scattered on the floor.


4

The Silent House

De Richleau strode back into the sitting-room. His grey eyes
glittered dangerously but his voice was gentle as he picked the
jewelled swastika from his servant's palm. 'How did you come by this
Max?'
'I removed it from Mr. Aron's neck Excellency.'
'What!'
'He rang for me Excellency and said that he would like a cup of
bouillon and when I returned with it he was sleeping, but so