THE RED DRAGON

"Good, explain yourself."
"It is just that it is very diffic?ult..."
"Come, are you afraid? Very well! I will spare you the trouble of speaking; I will tell you what you want from me."
"You!" murmured Claude, already terrified by the old shepherd's insight, an insight easily explained by what had happened at the evening gathering.
"I!" repeated the old man in a solemn tone. "Listen: You know that I occupy myself with these terrible sciences, unknown to other men; the story of the Black Hole treasure has enticed you, and you come to ask me for the secret that must ensure your possession of it."
"How do you know that?"
"I know everything I wish; I can do everything I desire, my boy," resumed the sorcerer, affecting an increasingly grave intonation.
"So you would consent..."
"To teach you the conjuration of the demons. Yes, if you have courage; no, if you are afraid."
"I will not be afraid."
"You do not look like a brave man, however."
"That does not matter. When no one is there to watch me and intimidate me, I feel capable of anything."
"All the better then; for what you wish to attempt, you must be alone."
"What must be done?"
"Softly, my boy; do you have money, first of all?"
"I have a little."
"Good, for without that nothing is possible. For the conjurations, you see, one must procure various objects that are not given for free. Then I have my secret, and that secret is worth something, as you might think."