"Ralph would have shown me the sign, I know," Bullen mused, "but that at the very moment we were talking together, there came that scare of fire in the stereo room, and we both rushed away. But now I know that this sign on the program is the 'Mark of the Beast,' and that it _signifies the oath of Fidelity to Anti-christ_." He caught his breath sharply, as he murmured: "So it has begun! He has begun to show his hand!" Then he let his eyes take in the contents of the program. Beneath the Hieroglyphic was the greeting: "TO ALL THE WORLD! APLEON, EMPEROR, by the election of MAN. Commands the following events in connection with the Dedication and opening of the Temple at Jerusalem. 4-30 p. m. 9th Sept., year 1 of Apleon. (Subject to minor alterations.) Appointment of the High Priest elect, by the Emperor. Address by The High Priest. Confirmation of the 7 years Covenant between the Hebrew Nation and the Emperor. Affirmatory Signatures and Seals affixed. Sign of the Sacrament to be distributed and donned by all present. 6-30 p. m. Bureaus will be opened all over the city, and in the immediate neighbourhood of the Temple for the free distribution of the sacramental signs, with directions for wearing the same. The donning of the sign will be, of course, entirely voluntary. "For how long," murmured Bullen to himself, "will this be voluntary?" He continued his reading: "At 7-30 a. m. 10th Sept. The Dedication of the Temple. The procession of Kings, headed by Apleon, Emperor of the World, will start from the Apleon Palace at 7-0 a. m. Imperial troops will line the way. "Fanfare of trumpets will greet the procession on its arrival at the Temple Gates. "Opening ode will be sung by 1,000, singers massed in the courtyard. "Ceremony inside will commence by the investiture of the High Priest with his glorious robes of office, the investiture will be performed by the Emperor. "The 7 years Covenant to be read aloud by the High Priest. "Ode of Adoration of the Emperor to be sung by the Priests, choristers, and others. "The ceremony is to be held at the above early hour, that there may be no undue exposure to the heat of the later fore-noon." In pursuance with the liberty of these more enlightened days, all persons may worship with covered or uncovered heads, as may seem fit to each person. This applies to Jews and Jewesses also, and, (N. B.) there will be no division of sex for the Jew and Jewess, they will worship together. The days of the _grille_ are past. "LONG LIVE THE EMPEROR!" "Of all the extraordinary productions--!" murmured George Bullen. He did not finish his sentence, he would have been puzzled to have found terms to have expressed all that he felt. "I wonder if these programs can be procured in London?" he went on. A seller passed him at that moment, and he bought a second program, to send to Ralph Bastin.