The priests could do no other than obey the command, enforced, as it was, by the presence of the Viceroy, and the military force.
The High-Priest lived a mile away from the Temple. One of the minor officials went off to apprise him of this strange new order.
As the man made his way down the marble road to the city level, he met a ponderous motor-driven trolley of great length—the thing was evidently bound for the Temple. Two hundred workmen followed behind the trolley, and the Temple-messenger noticed that on the trolley, lying beside the huge coffin-like packing-case that formed its chief burden, were a number of hoisting and hauling tackles, with a pile of handspikes, jacks, etc.
It was an hour before the messenger returned, the High-Priest accompanying him. By that time wonders—infernal wonders—had been wrought.
From the packing case there had been taken a gigantic image of Lucien Apleon, and it had been reared upon a plinth of dark green marble, upon the tessellated platform within the Temple.
The statue was of gold, and upon the green marble plinth was engraved: "I AM THAT I AM!"
In amazed, frightened horror, the High-Priest gazed for one moment upon the idolatrous abomination, then, as his blood boiled with a holy, righteous indignation, he thundered forth the words:
"Thou shalt have no other God before me.
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, … Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God—."
"Take that foul, idolatrous thing hence!" he cried, with passionate warmth. His eyes were fixed upon Apleon's chaplain, (the false Prophet) whose mocking smile, as he stood by the gang of workmen, angered him beyond measure.