st, with a third character, the figure of a crooked serpent put
between them--the name of God's Christ, the Messiah, turned into a
devil sacrament (i. e. oath of fidelity.)

"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 the