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           Thecountyattorneyhadatfirstonlythemildestinterestinprosecutingundertheinformationashehadonfileadozenmuchlikeit–thecomplainingwitnesseshadalwaysfailedtoappearatarraignment.

           Hepointedthisout.Theirspokesmansaid,"Weknow.Butyou’llhaveplentyofbackingthistime.SupremeBishopShortisdeterminedthatthisAntichristshallflourishnolonger."

           Theprosecutorwasnotinterestedinantichrists–buttherewasaprimarycomingup."Well,justrememberIcan’tdomuchwithoutbacking."

           "You’llhaveit."

           Farthernorth,Dr.JubalHarshawwasnotimmediatelyawareofthisincidentanditsconsequences,buthedidknowoftoomanyothersforpeaceofmind.Againsthisownruleshehadsuccumbedtothatmostinsidiousdrug,thenews.Thusfar,hehadcontainedhisvice;hemerelysubscribedtoaclippingserviceinstructedfor"ManfromMars,""V.M.Smith,""ChurchofAllWorlds,"and"BenCaxton."Butthemonkeywascrawlinguphisback–twicelatelyhehadhadtofightoffanimpulsetoorderLarrytosetupthebabbleboxinhisstudy–Damnit,whycouldn’tthosekidstapehimanoccasionalletter?–insteadoflettinghimwonderandworry."Front!"

           HeheardAnnecomeinbuthestillcontinuedtostareoutawindowatsnowandanemptyswimmingpool."Anne,"hesaidwithoutturningaround,"rentusasmalltropicalatollandputthismausoleumupforsale."

           "Yes,Boss.