The Ninth Gate

Dean Corso: Have you studied the engravings? They seem to have some underlying significance.

Ceniza: But of course.

[Points to an engraving in the book]

Ceniza: Here, for example. This one could be interpreted as a warning. "Venture too far," It seems to say, "and danger will descend on you from above." This type of books often contain little puzzles. Especially in the case of such an illustrious collaborator.

Dean Corso: Collaborator?

Ceniza: You cannot have proceeded very far with your research, señor. Here, look close.

[Handles a magnifying glass to Corso]

Ceniza: Don't you see? Only six of the nine engravings were signed by Aristide Torchia.

Dean Corso: Yes. And the other three?

Ceniza: But this is one of them.

Dean Corso: [Reads through the magnifying class] L... C... F... Who is LCF?

Ceniza: Think.

Dean Corso: [Thinks a few seconds] Lucifer?

Ceniza: Very perceptive of you, señor ! Torchia was burned alive because he wrote this book in collaboration with someone else.

Dean Corso: Come on! You can't honestly believe...

Ceniza: The man who wrote this book did so in alliance with the Devil and went to the stake for it.

[Grinning sarcastically]

Ceniza: Even Hell has its heroes, señor !

Boris Balkan: [On the phone] What news?

Dean Corso: News? Let me see... Well... Yes. The good news is I got to examine the old woman's book and three of her engravings were signed "LCF". The bad news is that someone strangled her and made a bonfire of her collection. Now that's tragic, wouldn't you say?

Boris Balkan: You took the words out of my mouth.

Dean Corso: Yes, it's the Fargas story all over again. I think they tore out the engravings before they torched the place. That makes two sets they've got.

Boris Balkan: And my copy?

Dean Corso: Well, I learned my lesson, fortunately... I don't carry it around with me anymore. Otherwise, it might have gone up in smoke.

Boris Balkan: Excellent. Good thinking. Well, with two copies gone, that seems to conclude your assignment. It only remains for you to return my book. I'm staying at the Ritz, you can pick up your check at the same time. Shall we say half an hour?

Dean Corso: There's more bad news. I don't have it.

Boris Balkan: You don't have it?

Dean Corso: Someone lifted it from my room.

Boris Balkan: Listen to me very carefully, Mr. Corso. I think you may already have some idea of the lengths to which I'm prepared to go when I want something. Unless you recover my property in double-quick time, you'll discover just how far that can be.