XXVIII: The High Priest, Hortotef explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Sorcery vs. Science

  Dr. Cairn critiques science for ignoring phenomena like table-turning and planchette, while Ferrara uses photography—a scientific tool—to focus sorcerous will.

• Good vs. Evil

  The chapter frames the conflict as a decisive struggle between good (the Cairns) and evil (Ferrara/Hortotef), with the fate of the world at stake.

• The Occult and Ancient Egypt

  Dr. Cairn reveals Ferrara's true identity as the ancient high priest Hortotef, whose Khu possesses a modern body, wielding the Book of Thoth.

• Hereditary Curse and Taint

  Ferrara is the son of the Witch-Queen and Hortotef, carrying the taint of an extinct, evil cult into the present.

Characters to notice

• Robert Cairn

  Observes the stormy morning and reflects on the beginning of the conflict at Oxford; questions Myra about her dreams; learns the truth about Antony Ferrara from his father.

• Dr. Bruce Cairn

  Explains the nature of the elemental spirits attacking the house; reveals the history of Hortotef and the Witch-Queen; describes the Book of Thoth and Ferrara's possession of it; devises a plan to follow the photographer.

• Myra Duquesne

  Has recurring dreams of a barn-like building with a silver lamp and an iron box; is recovering from illness and living under Dr. Cairn's protection.

• Antony Ferrara

  Revealed to be the vessel for the Khu of the ancient high priest Hortotef; directs elemental spirits and uses photography to focus evil forces on the Cairn household.

• Sir Michael Ferrara

  Mentioned as having conducted inquiries in Egypt with Dr. Cairn and as the adoptive father of Antony Ferrara.

• Marston

  Enters silently with the morning fare and withdraws.

Key passages

• “That the denouément was at any moment to be anticipated, his reason told him; and some instinct that was not of his reason forewarned him, too, that he and his father, Dr. Cairn, were now upon the eve of that final, decisive struggle which should determine the triumph of good over evil—or of evil over good.”

  Robert felt that the climax was imminent, and an irrational instinct warned him that he and his father were about to face the ultimate battle between good and evil.

  Sets the tone of impending final confrontation.

• “Will no one do for the phenomena termed thought-forms, what Newton did for that of the falling apple? Ah! Rob, in some respects, this is a darker age than those which bear the stigma of darkness.”

  Dr. Cairn laments that science refuses to study psychic phenomena, making the modern age more ignorant than the so-called Dark Ages.

  Highlights the theme of sorcery vs. science.

• “According to the Ancient Egyptian beliefs the Khu (or magical powers) of a fully-equipped Adept, at the death of the body, could enter into anything prepared for its reception. According to these ancient beliefs, then, the Khu of the high priest Hortotef entered into the body of this infant who was his son, and whose mother was the Witch-Queen; and today in this modern London, a wizard of Ancient Egypt, armed with the lost lore of that magical land, walks amongst us!”

  Dr. Cairn explains that the magical essence of the ancient priest Hortotef possessed his own infant son, so that Ferrara is actually an Egyptian sorcerer living in modern London.

  Reveals Ferrara's true identity and the occult Egyptian background.

• “The man who holds the Book of Thoth, holds a power which should only belong to God. The creature who is known to the world as Antony Ferrara, holds that book—do you doubt it?—therefore you know now, as I have known long enough, with what manner of enemy we are fighting.”

  Dr. Cairn asserts that Ferrara possesses the Book of Thoth, granting him godlike power, and that they face a formidable foe.

  Emphasizes the stakes and Ferrara's immense power.