undertakings since he tried conclusions with divinity.

Very silently during the course of this interview the eleven prime
chiefs had returned like conspirators as they were, of course in the
nick of time, to hear that Miss Vaughan was appointed as the
grand-priestess of Lucifer, at which moment there was a fresh burst of
circumambient flame and the young lady was transported by her divinity
to take part in a grand spectacular drama, divided into two acts.--I.
Appearance of Asmodeus with fourteen legions. Exchange of endearing
expressions between this personage and Diana. Manifestation of the
signature of Baal-Zeboub, generalissimo of the armies of Lucifer,
written in fire upon the void. Spiritualisation of the sweetheart of
Asmodeus. Diana hungers for the fray. Great pitched battle between the
genii of Lucifer and the genii of Adonai, termed Maleakhs, without the
gates of Eden. The Terrestrial Paradise carried by storm after severe
fighting. Grand panorama of Paradise. Explanatory dialogue between Diana
and her future husband. Appearance of a snow white gigantic eagle on
which Diana is to be transported to Oolis, "a solar world unknown to the
profane, wherein Lucifer reigns and is adored." II. Miss Vaughan having
been transported on another occasion to this mystic planet in the arms
of Lucifer himself, the episodes of the second act are held over. She
was, however, ultimately returned, safe and sound, to the Sanctum Regnum
at Charleston, on the back of the white eagle.

Such is Miss Vaughan's statement, and once more she proceeds to give
reasons why she could not have been hypnotised or hallucinated. As in
the case of Doctor Bataille I propose to postpone criticism until other
witnesses have filed their depositions. At the moment it is sufficient
to recognise that, apart from the supernatural element which admits of a
simple explanation, if Miss Vaughan be a credible witness, then the
central fact of the New and Reformed Palladium must be admitted with all
it involves.

CHAPTER IX.

HOW LUCIFER IS UNMASKED.

M. le Docteur Bataille is a mighty hunter before the face of the Lord in
the land of Masonry, and through the whole country of Hiram; great also
is Diana of the Palladians. After their monumental revelations and
confessions, those of all other seceders and penitents who have come out
of the mystery of iniquity, "are as moonlight unto sunlight, and as
water unto wine." My readers in the two previous cha