A. Merritt's Fantasy Magazine, December 1949 — page 39: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

5 she must have been one of my shadows!” De Keradel’s face was imperturbable. He said, “So? Now do I see. So! Well, _ Dr. Bennett, if I accept your theory of "witchcraft, what was the purpose behind ah it?” Bill answered, “Money, I think. EB cpine to be sure ‘soon.”’ I’m ~ PE KERADEL leaned back, regarding : : vi Lowell almost benevolently. He said, _ “Not necessarily money. To quote Dr. < _ Caranac. it could perhaps be only art for ' art's, sake. The expression of a true > artist. Pride. I once knew—well, with- - out doubt the superstitious would have ' called her a witch—who had that pride of > workmanship. This will interest you, Dr. - Lowell. It was in Prague—”’ I saw Lowell start,\violently ; de Kera- ~ del went blandly on: _ “A true artist, who practiced ‘her art, or used her wisdom—or, if you prefer, Dr. Bennett, practiced her witchcraft— solely for the satisfaction it gave her as ar artist. Among other things, so it was _ whispered, she could imprison something - of one she had killed within little dolls - made in that one’s image, animating them ; - and then make them do her will—” He _ leaned toward Lowell, solicitously. “Are ~ you ill, Dr. Lowell ?”’ Lowell was paper white; his eyes fixed - on de Keradel and filled with incredulous ' recognition. He recovered himself, said in a firm voice, “A pang I sometimes suffer. pat is nothing. Go on.’ De Keradel said, “A truly great—ah, witch, Dr. Bennett. Although / would not 4 call her witch, but mistress of ancient secrets, lost wisdom. She went from . , “CREEP, SHADOW! 39 Prague to this city. Arriving, I tried to find her. I learned where she had lived, but, alas! she and her niece had been burned to death—with her dolls, their home destroyed. A most mysterious fire. I was rather relieved. Frankly, I was glad, for I had been a little afraid of the doll-maker. I hold no grudge against those who encompassed her destruction— if it were deliberate. In fact—this may sound callous, but you, Lowell, will understand, I am sure—in fact, I feel a certain gratitude to them— if they are.”’ He glanced at his watch, then spoke to the Demoiselle: “‘My daughter, we must be going. We are already late. The time has passed so pleasantly, so quick- ly—” He paused, then said, with emphasis, slowly, “Had I the powers she had at her command—for powers she did have, else I, de Keradel, , would have felt no Year of hert—I say, had I those powers, none who threatened me, none even who hampered me in what I had determined to do, would live long enough to become a serious menace. I am sure’’—he looked sharply at Lowell, at Helen, and Bill, let his pale eyes dwell for a moment on mine—‘I am sure that even gratitude could not save them, nor those dear to them.” There was an odd silence. Bill broke it with: “Fair enough, de Keradel.”’ The Demoiselle arose, smiling. Helen led her to the hall: No one would have thought they hated each other. While de Keradel bade courteous farewell to Lowell, the Demoiselle drew close to me. She whispered: “T will be awaiting you tomorrow, SEATTLE, Wash.—Robert Wolf, service station owner here, has switched to Calvert Reserve.“It’s the smart switch for any man,” he says. “‘Calvert’s lighter, smoother, a better buy.” CALVERT RESERVE BLENDED WHISKEY _ | 86.8 PROOF—65% GRAIN NEUTRAL SPIRITS CALVERT DISTILLERS CORP., N. Y. C. my dear Dr... (5)