[Devil-Worship in France by Arthur Edward Waite]@TWC D-Link book
Devil-Worship in France

CHAPTER VII
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When the doctor reached Shanghai, he experienced some hesitation before he attempted an adventure so uncertain in its issue.

He remembered, however, that he was possessed of a miraculous medal of St.Benedict, which he regarded as his trump card, a species of passport or return ticket, available at any date and by any line of Devildom.

He determined to get drunk accordingly; but even as he entered Masonry with a becoming reservation of conscience, so he entered the drug-shop with a reservation as to the degree of his drunkenness, in spite of which he fell, however, into a deep sleep, and awoke in the assembly of The Secret Avengers, one of whom, to facilitate proceedings, had a good knowledge of English, and a perfect familiarity with all Charleston passwords.

The Baphomet, of course, presided, but it appears that the Chinese have certain conscientious scruples on the subject of Goats, and hence a Dragon's head was substituted for that of the ordinary image.

The doctor was not the only European present at the proceedings of the celestial assembly; but while he was the sole representative of his own nation, it goes without saying that there was a fair sprinkling of the abominable British.
So complete is the unanimity which obtains between the initiates of China and Charleston that the bulk of the proceedings takes place in the English language; but for this disposition of Providence, the doctor would have been at a serious disadvantage.


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