My tussle with the devil Author:O. Henry Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: tottf) tijt T was the hour when souls simply cling to their bodies by the merest thread — when I met His Satanic Majesty. He is well named, for he is ... more »majestic in every sense of the word — majestic of mien — majestic of gesture, of expression, and a god to look upon. He is a deceptive person, for one meeting him casually would think he was one of the great and good men of the day — abroad on errands of mercy and with kindness in his heart for all humanity. So carefully does he conceal his identity that he resembles most of mankind — who are one person to themselves and quite another to the world of men. We met. He knew me, but I had not yet had the pleasure of knowing this majestic lord—or thought I had not—and so was flattered when he accosted me and made me welcome. "I was told you were coming, and so came to meet you," he said, with a smile of geniality. "We hoped to have greeted you earlier." "Just a minute," I said. "Who are you? Who told you I was coming?" Making a sweeping gesture, and ignoring my questions, he continued: "Our land is fair—as you see—but there are many wonders which I desire to show you. Wonders which are unheard of—not even dreamt of —and which will make you desire to remain among us, I feel confident." With this, my arm was taken in friendly fashion, and we proceeded up an avenue lined with trees perfect in form and foliage—passed handsome houses, with playing fountains, flowers, and birds in abundance. With a magnificent gesture heswept all this out of the way. "The homes of our servants. We enter now the domains of those who rule and where we hope you will abide." The turn of the street brought us to an estate situated on the crest of a magnificent mountain. Winding roads of dazzling whiteness and smoothness led thro...« less