Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

DANGER IN 'rHE DARK.
155
diate preparations for exorcism. Collecting all the
nuns together, he sprinkled holy water upon them;
said mass; and then placing a lighted candle in the
hands of each, himself taking a crucifix and holding it
up before him, bade the nuns follow close at his heels.
Thus arrayed, and armed to the teeth with spiritual
power, they proceeded to the underground apartment
of the building; drawing near to the fatal cell, they
heard low moanings, which seemed to come from
within. The priest advancing to a position within a
fewpaces of the door, his hair standing on end, and
his whole frame quaking with fear, he said: "In the
name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, what art
thou ~"
" A priest I" responded a hoarse, sepulchral voice;
and then came a thumping upon the door. "Heaven
and earth I" exclaimed the terror-stricken father-confessor;
and dropping his crucifix, he wheeled about
and took to his heels with all possible speed, followed
by the no less frightened nuns, who scampered like a
flockof wild deer; making sure the devil was bringing
up the rear. When they had reached a place of
safety, they all huddled together to talk of the won-
drous affair.
"Think not strange that I fled," said the confessor;
"if there had been nothing more than the ordinary
spirits of the damned, I should easily have banished
them I"
"What was there beside, holy father i" inquired
one of the nuns.