Short Fiction · Chapter
XIII: The Black Book explained
On the night of the final rehearsal, Varduk draws a chalk circle around Sigrid Holgar on stage, marking the exact spot for the climactic scene.
What happens
On the night of the final rehearsal, Varduk draws a chalk circle around Sigrid Holgar on stage, marking the exact spot for the climactic scene. The next day, Judge Pursuivant arrives and is asked to give a pre-curtain speech. Pursuivant and Connatt discover that the 'Bible' Sigrid is to swear on is actually the 'Grand Albert,' a notorious 18th-century gospel for witches. They also find a pact signed by Lord Byron, binding him to a coven for 150 years, with a note dated 1938 transferring the service to Sigrid Holgar. Pursuivant deduces that the play is a ceremonial trap designed to perform a devastating effect on Sigrid.
Themes in this chapter
Supernatural Evil and Occultism
The 'Grand Albert' is revealed as a gospel for witches, and Byron's pact with a coven underscores the occult underpinnings of the plot.
The Power of Belief and Ritual
Varduk's chalk circle and the planned swearing ceremony highlight the use of ritual to achieve a supernatural effect on Sigrid.
Sacrifice and Redemption
Byron's pact requires delivering another person to the coven, and Sigrid appears to be the intended sacrifice to release him.
Characters to notice
- Keith Pursuivant
Examines the 'Grand Albert' and Byron's pact; deduces the play is a ceremony targeting Sigrid.
- Fitzhugh Parr
Narrator; accompanies Pursuivant in investigating the props and the 'Bible'.
- Varduk
Draws a chalk circle around Sigrid during rehearsal; invites Pursuivant to speak before the play.
- Jake Switz
Working on scenery; comments on the bad luck of opening on a Friday.
- Sigrid Holgar
Expresses excitement about the opening; is marked by Varduk's chalk circle.
- Elmo Davidson
Provides chalk to Varduk; is present during the rehearsal.
- Lord Byron
His pact with a coven is discovered in the 'Grand Albert,' binding him for 150 years.
Key passages
“A notorious gospel for witches... Most editions are modified and harmless, but this, at first glance, appears to be the complete and infamous Eighteenth Century version.”
Pursuivant identifies the book as a dangerous occult text, the 'Grand Albert,' which is a complete 18th-century witch's gospel.
Reveals the true nature of the 'Bible' Sigrid is to swear on.
“This 22nd of July, 1938, I tender this book and quit this service unto Sigrid Holgar. George Gordon, Lord Byron.”
A note in the book shows that Lord Byron transferred his coven obligation to Sigrid Holgar in 1938.
Directly implicates Sigrid as the replacement for Byron's pact.
“Something is to happen to Miss Holgar. The entire fabric of theatrical activity... is to perform upon her a certain effect. That effect, we may be sure, is devastating.”
Pursuivant concludes that the play is a carefully constructed ceremony meant to harm Sigrid.
Summarizes the chapter's central revelation about the plot against Sigrid.