Page:Weird Tales v41n04 (1949-05).djvu/83

Rh bound volume stamped in gold letters,, by Montague Summers. Leafing through it, he stopped at page 208 and began reading:

"You observed the color of that bottle?" he asked. "I had coated his interior with a mixture of gelatine and chicken's blood, of which all vampires are inordinately fond, if they can not obtain the blood of humans. Eh bien, I hope he enjoyed his last meal, though I did not give him much time to digest it."

"But see here," I persisted, "if you can pen an evil spirit in a bottle—"

"Ah bah, my friend, why continue harping on that single note? At present I am much more interested in releasing good spirits from their bottles." He poured himself a generous potion of cognac, drained it at a single gulp, then refilled his glass. "The first drink was for my great thirst," he told me solemnly. "Now that that has been assuaged, I drink for pleasure." He took a long, appreciative sip, and set the glass down on the coffee table, gazing at it fondly.