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Such as sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: being fast bound in misery and iron;
Because they rebelled against the words of the Lord: and lightly regarded the counsel of the most Highest."
"Amen," piously murmured the policemen.
"Ahem," said Jherek.
But Harold Underwood passed an excited hand through his disarranged hay-coloured hair and began to sing again.
" Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
yet will I fear none ill… "
"I must say," said Jherek enthusiastically to Mrs. Underwood, "it makes a great deal of sense. It is attractive to me. I have not been feeling entirely myself of late, and have noticed that you —"
"Jherek Carnelian, have you no conception of what has happened here?"
"It is a religious service." He was pleased with the precision of his knowledge. "A conspiracy of agreement."
"You do not find it strange that all these police officers should suddenly become pious — indeed, fanatical! — Christians?"
"You mean that something has happened to them while we have been away?"
"I told you. They have seen a vision. They believe that God has given them a mission, to return to 1896 — though how they intend to get there Heaven alone knows — to warn everyone of what will happen to them if they continue in the paths of sinfulness. They believe that they have seen and heard God Himself. "They have gone completely mad."
"But perhaps they have had this vision, Amelia."
"Do you believe in God now?"
"I have never disbelieved, though I, myself, have never had the pleasure of meeting Him. Of course, with the destruction of the universe, perhaps He was also destroyed…"
"Be serious, Jherek. These poor people, my husband amongst them (doubtless a willing victim, I'll not deny) have been duped!"
"Duped?"
"Almost certainly by your Lord Jagged."
"Why should Jagged — you mean that Jagged is God?"
"No. I mean that he plays at God. I suspected as much. Harold has described the vision — they all describe it. A fiery globe a
"But what possible reason would Jagged have for deceiving them in that way?"
"Merely a cruel joke."
"Cruel? I have never seen them happier. I am tempted to join in. I ca
"You are deliberately obtuse."
"Never that, Amelia."
"I must help Harold. He must be warned of the deception."
He tried to speak through it, but she covered her ears, shaking her head and refusing to listen as he implored her to return with him.
Jherek regretted that this was not one of the hymns Amelia Underwood had taught him when they had first lived together at his ranch. He should have liked to have joined in, since it was not possible to communicate with her. He hoped they would sing his favourite — All Things Bright and Beautiful — but somehow guessed they would not. He found the present one not to his taste, either in tune (it was scarcely more than a drone) or in words which, he thought, were somewhat in contrast to the expressions on the faces of the singers. As soon as the hymn was over, Jherek lifted up his head and began to sing in his high, boyish voice:
"Excellent sentiments, Mr. Carnelian." Harold Underwood's tone denied his words. He seemed upset. "However, we were in the middle of giving thanks for our salvation…"
"Bad ma
"Ha!" said Mr. Underwood. "Though we have witnessed a miracle today, I ca
"But you are deceived, Harold!" cried his wife. "I am sure of it!"
"Listen not to temptation, brothers," Harold Underwood told the policemen. "Even now they seek to divert us from the true way."
"I think you'd better be getting along, sir," said Inspector Springer to Jherek. "This is a private meeting and I shouldn't be surprised if you're not infringing the Law of Trespass. Certainly you could be said to be Causing a Disturbance in a Public Place."
"Did you really see a vision of God, Inspector Springer?" Jherek asked him.
"We did, sir."
"Amen," said Sergeant Sherwood and the twelve constables.
"Amen," said Harold Underwood. "The Lord has given us the Word and we shall take the Word unto all the peoples of the world."
"I'm sure you'll be welcome everywhere." Jherek was eager to encourage. "The Duke of Queens was saying to me only the other day that there was a great danger of becoming bored, without outside stimulus, such as we used to get. It is quite possible, Mr. Underwood, that you will convert us all."
"We return to our own world, sir," Sergeant Sherwood told him mildly, "as soon as we can."
"We have been into the very bowels of Hell and yet were saved!" cried one of the constables.
"Amen," said Harold Underwood absently. "Now, if you'll kindly allow us to continue with our meeting…"
"How do you intend to return to 1896, Harold?" implored Mrs. Underwood. "Who will take you?"
"The Lord," her husband told her, "will provide." He added, in his old, prissy voice: "I see you appear at last in your true colours, Amelia."
She blushed as she stared down at her dress. "A party," she murmured.
He pursed his lips and looked away from her so that he might glare at Jherek Carnelian. "Your master still has power here, I suppose, so I ca
"If we're interrupting, I apologize again." Jherek bowed. "I must say, Mr. Underwood, that you seemed rather happier, in some ways, before your vision."
"I have new responsibilities, Mr. Carnelian."
"The 'ighest sort," agreed Inspector Springer.
"Amen," said Sergeant Sherwood and the twelve constables. Their helmets nodded in unison.
"You are a fool, Harold!" Amelia said, her voice trembling. "You have not seen God! The one who deceives you is closer to Satan!"
A peculiar, self-congratulatory smile appeared on Harold Underwood's features. "Oh, really? You say this, yet you did not experience the vision. We have been chosen, Amelia, by God to warn the world of the terrors to come if it continues in its present course. What's this? Are you jealous, perhaps, that you are not one of the chosen, because you did not keep your faith and failed to do your duty?"