The Skull Page #3

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For 500.

Yes.

Yes, I will think about it.

Here's my address.

Oh, thanks.

Top floor.

Room number 57.

If you change your mind,

come round tomorrow night.

Bring the money with you.

- Oh, really!

- Bad luck.

I seem to be having an off night.

I've never played so badly in my life.

You certainly don't seem to be able

to concentrate. Anything the matter?

I was offered an item last night

by a mutual acquaintance, Marco.

Oh, yes? A somewhat shady individual.

But useful.

He offered me a death's head which he said

is the skull of the Marquis de Sade.

He wanted 1,000

but finally came down to 500.

Naturally, I'd like it in my collection,

if it's genuine.

- It's genuine enough.

- How could you possibly know that?

Because, my clear fellow,

it was stolen from me.

- What?

- Brandy?

No, thanks. Marco's expecting me later

this evening. Why don't you come with me?

You could identify your property

and get it back.

I shall do nothing of the sort!

I'm glad that the skull has been stolen

and I advise you to leave it alone.

- But why?

- Because it's dangerous.

You've never taken any notice

of superstition before.

Exactly.

That is why, when I tell you that I sincerely

believe the skull to be dangerous,

you'd better take my word for it.

But how can a mere skull be dangerous?

Unless your mind makes it so.

De Sade said he wasn't mad.

And I believe him.

He was far worse than mad.

He was possessed -

possessed by an evil spirit.

A spirit which still inhabits the skull.

I kept the skull locked in a glass case

in the library. I had the only key.

Once a month, during the two nights

of the new moon,

the time of devil worship and black magic,

I found in the morning

that the skull had been removed.

Who removed it?

Those who use its power.

Invisible beings,

spirits from a strange, evil world.

Sometimes, I used to hear them calling me

to join them in their ceremonies.

It took all my powers of will to resist.

I wouldn't resist, given the opportunity.

I'd wait for them. It'd make a good chapter

for one of my books.

Don't think that I wasn't tempted.

I knew that the moment I set foot in the room

I'd be unable to resist the forces of evil.

I would do whatever the skull

wanted me to do.

Remember the auction?

Remember these -

Lucifer, Beelzebub, Leviathan?

And Belberith, who incites to murder.

I bought them. I told you at the time

that I didn't know why.

But I know now.

Then why did you?

Because the skull wanted me to.

It needed this one for its worshippers.

They were all kept in the library

till after the skull had been stolen but

I never went into the library

on the nights of the new moon.

Never.

- You're a coward.

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