# XIII: The Black Book explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Manly Wade Wellman.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xiii-the-black-book
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters