# A Trick That Almost Killed You explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Manly Wade Wellman.

## What happens

Talbot Wills meets Judge Keith Pursuivant, who rescues him from the mob and takes him to his home. They discuss the supernatural events Wills experienced, including the creature in the Devil's Croft. Pursuivant reveals his knowledge of hot springs in the area and begins to lecture Wills on lycanthropy, insisting that werewolves are real.

## Themes in this chapter

### Supernatural Evil and Occultism

The chapter discusses werewolves, demonic entities, and the occult, with Pursuivant asserting the reality of lycanthropy.

### Science vs. Superstition

Wills initially dismisses the supernatural as trickery, while Pursuivant argues for the existence of werewolves, highlighting the tension between skepticism and belief.

## Character check-ins

### Talbot Wills

Narrator who is rescued by Pursuivant and recounts his recent supernatural encounter.

### Keith Pursuivant

Retired judge who takes Wills in, discusses the occult, and begins to explain lycanthropy.

### John Frey

Mentioned as the man who was killed, referenced in the context of the mob.

## Key lines

> The hairy ones shall dance there.

The judge quotes Isaiah, suggesting that demonic or beastly entities will revel in desolate places.

_Pursuivant uses this biblical reference to connect the creature Wills encountered to ancient descriptions of 'hairy ones' or satyrs._

> A trick that almost killed you and made you run for your life?

Pursuivant challenges Wills' dismissal of the supernatural as mere trickery, pointing out the life-threatening nature of the experience.

_This line underscores the central conflict between rational skepticism and the reality of the occult._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/viii-a-trick-that-almost-killed-you
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters