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the High Priest approached the altar and bowed reverentially.
    â€˜It is a dream of two thousand years come true! How is it possible?’
    â€˜Faith, brother,’ responded the masked figure, ‘Faith! ‘
    Then the High Priest let out a cry. ‘Look!’
    As they stared at the altar a column of radiant light appeared at one end. It was about three feet in diameter and seemed to shine straight down through the roof of the chamber.
    â€˜Stand back! ‘ commanded the masked figure. The Priest and surrounding brethren fell away from the altar as they were bid and the masked figure slowly climbed the altar steps.
    The light looked immensely dangerous, like a current of high-voltage power. The masked figure reached the top of the steps, hesitated a moment, then stepped into the pillar of light! He was instantly illuminated in a blinding supernatural glow. His purple robes glittered and shimmered, and from the eye-slits in his mask flashed an incandescent light. The figure seemed to suffer no pain; rather he was held by the radiant column in an ecstasy of paralysis.
    After a few seconds a distant booming voice, unearthly in tone and cadence, reverberated around the chamber. It emanated from the column of light itself.
    â€˜You have been chosen for powers undreamt of,’ it said. ‘Through us you will become supreme ruler of Earth. Do you understand us?’
    The masked figure nodded and replied, ‘I understand.’
    â€˜Only you must stand in this spot,’ the voice continued. ‘Any other mortal who dares stand where you stand now will he destroyed. You and you alone will carry out our will on Earth.’
    There was a pause. ‘What must I do?’ whispered the masked figure obediently.
    â€˜There is one being apart from you who knows of our purposes. He is called the Doctor. He must be found and eliminated!’
    â€˜How? How must I do this?’
    This time there was no reply. The light faded abruptly, and the ghostly outline of the temple disappeared leaving only the bare stone altar in the ruinous cavern as before.
    The masked figure, no longer illuminated, turned to address the astonished brethren.
    â€˜The service is concluded,’ he announced. ‘Go. But remember—no word of this to a living soul.’
    Dazed and mute with wonder the brothers began to disperse.
    With no further word the masked figure also left the chamber. He hurried along a narrow passage which led finally through a secret door into a small vestibule. Once there, he began to disrobe. As the long purple vestments fell to the ground the figure turned to face a mirror on the wall. Raising both hands he carefully removed the golden mask.
    Revealed beneath it were the sinister grinning features of Hieronymous. the court astrologer! He stared at his own image in the mirror for several long moments. Finally he spoke.
    â€˜Power undreamt of! Supreme ruler of the universe!’
    His eyes blazed with hypnotic fascination, as if his entire being had succumbed to that overwhelming and irresistible idea.
    The Doctor guided Sarah hurriedly though a maze of underground passages. She was still suffering from the effects of the drug and every so often, stumbled and fell.
    After ten minutes or so a pale light filtered into the passage ahead and the close, fetid atmosphere gave way to softer, fresher air. The Doctor settled Sarah into an alcove and went to explore. He had hoped to retrace his steps back to the secret door but the warren of catacombs had defeated him. However, it seemed they had come upon an entrance which led out into the palace gardens at another point. As he peered into the gloom he could make out groups of soldiers still searching by torchlight. He nipped back to Sarah.
    â€˜We’ll have to wait here for a while.’ He gave her a cheerful smile.
    Sarah grinned back. ‘Anything’s better than being sacrificed to