s nearly choked up by Euschemon's
bell. The prelate received him with the greatest affability, and expressed
a sincere hope that the very particular arrangements he had enjoined for
the comfort of his distinguished prisoner had been faithfully carried out
by his subordinates. The sorcerer, as much a man of the world as the
bishop, thanked his Lordship, and protested that he had been perfectly
comfortable.

"I have need of thy art," said the bishop, coming to business. "I am
exceedingly bothered--flabbergasted were not too strong an expression--by
this confounded bell. All my best exorcists have been trying all they know
with it, to no purpose. They might as well have tried to exorcise my mitre
from my head by any other charm than the offer of a better one. Magic is
plainly the only remedy, and if thou canst disenchant it, I will give thee
thy freedom."

"It will be a tough business," observed the sorcerer, surveying the bell
with the eye of a connoisseur. "It will require fumigations."

"Yes," said the bishop, "and suffumigations."

"Aloes and mastic," advised the sorcerer.

"Aye," assented the bishop, "and red sanders."

"We must call in Primeumaton," said the warlock.

"Clearly," said the bishop, "and Amioram."

"Triangles," said the sorcerer.

"Pentacles," said the bishop.

"In the hour of Methon," said the sorcerer.

"I should have thought Tafrac," suggested the bishop, "but I defer to your
better judgment."

"I can have the blood of a goat?" queried the wizard.

"Yes," said the bishop, "and of a monkey also."

"Does your Lordship think that one might venture to go so far as a little
unweaned child?"

"If absolutely necessary," said the bishop.

"I am delighted to find such liberality of sentiment on your Lordship's
part," said the sorcerer. "Your Lordship is evidently of the profession."

"These are things which stuck by me when I was an inquisitor," explained
the bishop, with some little embarrassment.

Ere long all arrangements were made. It would be impossible to enumerate
half the crosses, circles, pentagrams, naked swords, cross-bones,
chafing-dishes, and vials of incense which the sorcerer found to be
necessary. The child was fortunately deemed superfluous. Euschemon was
brought up from his dungeon, and, his teeth chattering with fright and
cold, set beside his bell to hold a candle to the devil. The incantations
commenced, and speedily gave evidence of their efficacy. The bell trembled