masses with ordained celebrants, the people possessed by the
mania of sacrilege do none the less realize the sacred stupration of
which they dream.

"Listen to this. In 1855 there existed at Paris an association composed
of women, for the most part. These women took communion several times a
day and retained the sacred wafer in their mouths to be spat out later
and trodden underfoot or soiled by disgusting contacts."

"You are sure of it?"

"Perfectly. These facts were revealed by a religious journal, _Les
annales de la saintete_, and the archbishop of Paris could not deny
them. I add that in 1874 women were likewise enrolled at Paris to
practise this odious commerce. They were paid so much for every wafer
they brought in. That explains why they presented themselves at the
sacred table of different churches every day."

"And that is not the half of it! Look," said Carhaix, in his turn,
rising and taking from his bookshelf a blue brochurette. "Here is a
review, _La voix de la septaine_, dated 1843. It informs us that for
twenty-five years, at Agen, a Satanistic association regularly
celebrated black masses, and committed murder, and polluted three
thousand three hundred and twenty hosts! And Monsignor the Bishop of
Agen, who was a good and ardent prelate, never dared deny the
monstrosities committed in his diocese!"

"Yes, we can say it among ourselves," Des Hermies returned, "in the
nineteenth century the number of foul-minded abbes has been legion.
Unhappily, though the documents are certain, they are difficult to
verify, for no ecclesiastic boasts of such misdeeds. The celebrants of
Deicidal masses dissemble and declare themselves devoted to Christ. They
even affirm that they defend Him by exorcising the possessed.

"That's a good one. The 'possessed' are made so or kept so by the
priests themselves, who are thus assured of subjects and accomplices,
especially in the convents. All kinds of murderous and sadistic follies
can be covered with the antique and pious mantle of exorcism."

"Let us be just," said Carhaix. "The Satanist would not be complete if
he were not an abominable hypocrite."

"Hypocrisy and pride are perhaps the most characteristic vices of the
perverse priest," suggested Durtal.

"But in the long run," Des Hermies went on, "in spite of the most
adroit precautions, everything comes out. Up to now I have spoken only
of local Satanistic associations, but there are others, more extensive,
which