The door seemed to bow inward as the forces outside attacked. The big man, moving with unexpected speed, chalked symbols on it, the words “SANCTUS SPIRITUS â€? and some otherletters above and below. He muttered, “All this be guarded here in time, and there in eternity,” then turned to me. “That’s from a book called ‘The Long-Lost Friend,’ and it’s guarded me in other bad places.â€? He fashioned a cross of twigs. “The cross in my right hand,â€? he intoned. Removing a chain with a silver cross from his powerful neck, he handed it to me. “Wear this. Silver is powerful against evil.â€?

I said, “No,â€? and closed his broad hand on the charm he offered. He looked shocked for a moment. “I’m Jewish, “ I said. “I won’t wear a cross.â€? I leaned forward and chalked a six-pointed star below his symbols on the door. “King David used this as a protection long centuries before Jesus. “The shrieking outside, lessened, grew, then faded to a confused gabble. I had perplexed them, too. I sat back to see what would happen next.