I went. Worthington and I had hardly left them before I realized acutely that what little peace of mind I had came from the nearness of Amanda. Once out of her immediate influence the whole mind-twisting horror of the place and its grisly denizens hit me. I felt something rub against my ankles and nearly jumped out of my shoes. But when I looked down I saw that Seraphin, Amanda's cat, had chosen to follow me. After that things were better with me.
Royce assumed his dog pose when we came to the first rank of demons. He first handed me his grandfather's head. Once I would have found that mummified head repulsive to touch; it seemed a friendly, homey thing here. Then he was down on all fours, scalloping in and out of the ranks of infernal warriors. Seraphin scampered after him, paired up and hunted with him. The hound seemed quite content to let the cat do half the work, and I have no doubt he was justified. I walked as rapidly as possible down the aisles between adjacent squadrons while the animals cast out from side to side.
It seems to me that this went on for many hours, certainly so long that fatigue changed to a wooden automatism and horror died down to a dull unease. I learned not to look at the eyes of the demons, and was no longer surprised at any outre shape.
Squadron by squadron, division by division, we combed them, until at last, coming up the left wing, we reached the end. The animals had been growing increasingly nervous. When they had completed the front rank of the leading squadron, the hound trotted up to me and whined. I suppose he sought his grandfather, but I reached down and patted his head.
Don't despair, old friend,' I said, we have still these.' I motioned towards the generals, princes all, who were posted before their divisions. Coming up from the rear as we had, we had yet to examine the generals of the leading divisions on the left wing. But despair already claimed me; what were half a dozen possibilities against an eliminated seven million?
The dog trotted away to the post of the nearest general, the cat close beside him, while I followed as rapidly as possible. He commenced to yelp before he was fairly up to the demon, and I broke into a run. The demon stirred and commenced to metamorphose. But even in this strange shape there was something familiar about it. Ditworth!' I yelled, and dived for him.
I felt myself buffeted by leather wings, raked by claws. Royce came to my aid, a dog no longer, but two hundred pounds of fighting Negro. The cat was a ball of fury, teeth, and claws. Nevertheless, we would have been lost, done in completely, had not an amazing thing happened. A demon broke ranks and shot towards us. I sensed him rather than saw him, and thought that he had come to succour his master, though I had been assured that their customs did not permit it. But he helped us - us, his natural enemies - and attacked with such vindictive violence that the gauge was turned to our favour.
Suddenly it was all over. I found myself on the ground, clutching at not a demon prince but Ditworth in his pseudo- human form - a little mild businessman, dressed with restrained elegance, complete to briefcase, spectacles, and thinning hair.
Take that thing off me,' he said testily. That thing' was grandfather, who was clinging doggedly with toothless gums to his neck.
Royce spared a hand from the task of holding Ditworth and resumed possession of his grandfather. Seraphin stayed where he was, claws dug into our prisoner's leg.
The demon who had rescued us was still with us. He had Ditworth by the shoulders, talons dug into their bases. I cleared my throat and said, I believe we owe this to you-' I had not the slightest notion of the proper thing to say. I think the situation was utterly without precedent.
The demon made a grimace that may have been intended to be friendly, but which I found frightening. Let me introduce myself,' he said in English. I'm Federal Agent William Kane, Bureau of Investigation.'
I think that was what made me faint.
I came to, lying on my back. Someone had smeared a salve on my wounds and they were hardly stiff, and not painful in the least, but I was mortally tired. There was talking going on somewhere near me. I turned my head and saw all the members of my party gathered together. Worthington and the friendly demon who claimed to be a G-man held Ditworth between them, facing Satan. Of all the mighty infernal army I saw no trace.
So it was my nephew Nebiros,' mused the Goat, shaking his head and clucking. Nebiros, you are a bad lad and I'm proud of you. But I'm afraid you will have to try your strength against their champion now that they have caught you.' He addressed Amanda. Who is your champion, my dear?'
The friendly demon spoke up. That sounds like my job.'
I think not,' countered Amanda. She drew him to one side and whispered intently. Finally he shrugged his wings and gave in.
Amanda rejoined the group. I struggled to my feet and came up to them. A trial to the death, I think,' she was saying. Are you ready, Nebiros?' I was stretched between heart-stopping fear for Amanda and a calm belief that she could do anything she attempted. Jedson saw my face and shook his head. I was not to interrupt.
But Nebiros had no stomach for it. Still in his Ditworth form and looking ridiculously human, he turned to the Old One. I dare not, Uncle. The outcome is certain. Intercede for me.'
Certainly, Nephew. I had rather hoped she would destroy you. You'll trouble me someday.' Then to Amanda, Shall we say... ah.. . ten thousand thousand years?'
Amanda gathered our votes with her eyes, including me, to my proud pleasure, and answered, So be it.' It was not a stiff sentence as such things go, I'm told - about equal to six months in jail in the real world - but he had not offended their customs; he had simply been defeated by white magic.
Old Nick brought down one arm in an emphatic gesture. There was a crashing roar and a burst of light and DitworthNebiros was spread-eagled before us on a mighty boulder, his limbs bound with massive iron chains. He was again in demon form. Amanda and Worthington examined the bonds. She pressed a seal ring against each hasp and nodded to the Goat. At once the boulder receded with great speed into the distance until it was gone from sight.
That seems to be about all, and I suppose you will be going now,' announced the Goat. All except this one-' He smiled at the demon G-man. I have plans for him.'
No.' Amanda's tone was flat.
What's that, my little one? He has not the protection of your party, and he has offended our customs.'
No!'
Really, I must insist.'
Satan Mekratrig,' she said slowly, do you wish to try your strength with me?'
With you, madame?' He looked at her carefully, as if inspecting her for the first time. Well, it's been a trying day, hasn't it? Suppose we say no more about it. Till another time, then-'
He was gone.
The demon faced her. Thanks,' he said simply. I wish I had a hat to take off.' He added anxiously, Do you know your way out of here?'
Don't you?'
No, that's the trouble. Perhaps I should explain myself. I'm assigned to the antimonopoly division; we got a line on this chap Ditworth, or Nebiros. I followed him in here, thinking he was simply a black wizard and that I could use his portal to get back. By the time I knew better it was too late, and I was trapped. I had about resigned myself to an eternity as a fake demon.'
I was very much interested in his story. I knew, of course, that all G-men are either lawyers, magicians, or accountants, but all that I had ever met were accountants. This calm assumption of incredible dangers impressed me and increased my already high opinion of Federal agents.
You may use our portal to return,' Anianda said. Stick close to us.' Then to the rest of us, Shall we go now?'
Jack Bodie was still intoning the lines from the book when we landed. Eight and a half minutes,' he announced, looking at his wrist watch. Nice work. Did you turn the trick?'