I have heard a great deal of evil spoken about him, but, especially in the clerical world, people are so fond of saying all sorts of things." "But you knew him personally." "Yes, I even had him for a confessor." "Then it isn't possible that you don't know what to make of him ?" "Very possible, indeed presumable.

Look here, you have been beating around the bush a long time.

Exactly what do you want to know ?" "Everything you care to tell me.

Is he young or old, handsome or ugly, rich or poor ?" "He is forty years old, very fastidious of his person, and he spends a lot of money." "Do you believe that he indulges in sorcery, that he celebrates the black mass ?" "It is quite possible." "Pardon me for dunning you, for extorting information from you as if with forceps--suppose I were to ask you a really personal question--this faculty of incubacy ... ?" "Why, certainly I got it from him.

I hope you are satisfied." "Yes and no.