'
Susie gave a little start, which Dr Porhoet noticed.
'What is the matter with you?'
'Nothing,' she said quickly.
He looked at her for a moment, then proceeded with the subject that
strangely fascinated him.
'You must let me take you one day to the library of the Arsenal. There
is no richer collection in the world of books dealing with the occult
sciences. And of course you know that it was at the Arsenal that the
tribunal sat, under the suggestive name of _chambre ardente_, to deal
with cases of sorcery and magic?'
'I didn't,' smiled Susie.
'I always think that these manuscripts and queer old books, which are
the pride of our library, served in many an old trial. There are volumes
there of innocent appearance that have hanged wretched men and sent
others to the stake. You would not believe how many persons of fortune,
rank, and intelligence, during the great reign of Louis XIV, immersed
themselves in these satanic undertakings.'
Susie did not answer. She could not now deal with these matters in an
indifferent spirit.
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