One of the signs! Karras thought with excitement. Speaking in an unknown tongue! It was more than he'd hoped for. "Pos egnokas hoti presbyteros eimi?" he quickly inquired in classical Greek.

"I am not in the mood, Karras."

"Oh. Then you cannot---"

"I am not in the mood!"

Disappointment. Karras brooded., "You made the dresser drawer come sliding out?" He inquired.

"Most assuredly."

"Very impressive." Karras nodded. "You're certainly a very, very power demon."

"I am."

"I was wondering if you'd do it again."

"Yes, in time."

"Do it now, please--- I would really like to see it."

"In time."

"Why not now?"

"We must give you some reason for doubt," it croaked. "Some. Just enough to assure the final outcome." It put back its head in a chuckle of malice. "How novel to attack through the truth!

Ah, what joy!"

Icy hands lightly touching at his neck. Karras stared. Why the fear again? Fear? Was it fear?

"No, not fear," said the demon. It was grinning. "That was me."

Hands gone now. Karras frowned. Felt new wonder. Chipped it down. Telepathic. Or is she?

Find out. Find out now. "Can you tell me what I'm thinking right now?"

"Your thoughts are too dull to entertain."

"Then you can't read my mind."

"You may have it as you wish... as you wish."

Try the holy water? Now? He heard the squeaking of the tape-recorder mechanism. No. Just keep digging. Get more of a sampling of the speech. "You're a fascinating person," said Karras.

Regan sneered.

"Oh, no, really," said Karres. "I'd like to know more about your background. You've never told me who you are, for example." "A devil," rumbled the demon.

"Yes, I know, but which devil? What's your name?"

"Ah, now what is in a name, Karras? Never mind my name. Call me Howdy, if you find it more comfortable."

"Oh, yes. Captain Howdy." Karras nodded. "Regan's friend."

"Her very close friend."

"Oh, really?"

"Indeed."

"But then why do you torment her?"

"Because I am her friend. The piglet likes it!"

"She likes it?"

"She adores it!"

"But why?"

"Ask her!"

"Would you allow her to answer?"

"No."

"Well, then what would be the point in my asking?" "None!"

The demon's eyes glinted spite.

"Who's the person I was speaking to earlier?" asked Karras.

"You've asked that."

"I know, but you never gave an answer."

"Just another good friend of the sweet, honey piglet, dear Karras."

"May I speak to him?"

"No. He is busy with your mother. She is sucking his cock to the bristles, Karras! to the root!"

it chuckled softly, and then added, "Marvelous tongue, your mother. Good mouth." It was gleaming at him mockingly, and Karras felt a rage sweeping through him, a tremor of hatred that the priest quickly realized with a start was directed not at Regan, but at the demon. The demon! What the hell is the matter with you, Karras? The Jesuit gripped calm by its edges, breathed deep and then stood up and slipped the vial of water from the pocket of his shirt. He uncorked it.

The demon looked wary. "What is that?"

"Don't you know?" asked Karras, his thumb half covering the mouth of the vial as he started to sprinkle its contents on Regan. "It's holy water, devil."