Edgar Jepson

“ The bright light died down swiftly, as if the fire had been snuffed out; and there was only a gray cloud of incense eddying slowly in the moonlight.
I gasped; and Woodfell's voice rose loud and hoarse in furious, incoherent imprecations, then grew clear, crying, "The swine—the cowardly swine! They've spoilt it! They've spoilt it! May they rot on earth and shrivel in hell!" ”

“ I saw it," broke in Helen Ranger.
"Well, where we have been we can go again," said Woodfell, leading the way down to the garden. "I believe myself that we took the last step and saw the ultimate veil beginning to lift; and then those swine—those cowardly swine! Another month's waiting. Well, never mind, I've found out that I was right; we did need the feminine element. To think that I've been all this time guessing it. The woman is the key of the ultimate lock."
They passed into the house.
I eased my grip on Pamela. ”

“ Woodfell's voice was louder, clearer, and graver in the opening invocation; the responses were louder and more earnest; there was a new, keener expectancy in the voices of the celebrants.
Pamela observed it too, for presently she whispered, "They're much more earnest to-night."
In due order came the celebration of the rite of each of the seven gods of the Abyss and the sacrifices to each. I had expected that by now, the third time of watching them, I should be more used to them and less affected. It was not so ”