'Nor does the Chaplain. He's no Christian. It was a vision brought me here, an angel clothed in flame, with a crown of flame on his head, crying "Kill and spare not. The Kingdom is at hand." Would you like to hear about it? I'll tell you. I'm a carpenter by profession, or at least I was, you understand. He spoke with a curious blend of cockney and Biblical English. 'Not a joiner ‑ a cabinet-maker. Well, one day I was just sweeping out the shop before shutting up when the angel of the Lord came in. I didn't know who it was at first. "Just in time," I said. "What can I do for you?" Then I noticed that all about him there was a red flame and a circle of flame over his head, same as I've been telling you. Then he told me how the Lord had numbered His elect and the day of tribulation was at hand. "Kill and spare not," he says. I'd not been sleeping well for some time before this. I'd been worrying about my soul and whether I was saved. Well, all that night I thought of what the angel had told me. I didn't see his meaning, not at first, same as you wouldn't. Then it all came to me in a flash. Unworthy that I am, I am the Lord's appointed, said the carpenter. 'I am the sword of Israel; I am the lion of the Lord's elect.
'And did you kill anybody? asked Paul.
'Unworthy that I am, I smote the Philistine; in the name of the Lord of hosts, I struck off his head. It was for a sign of Israel. And now I am gone into captivity, and the mirth is turned into weeping, but the Lord shall deliver me in His appointed time. Woe unto the Philistine in that day! woe unto the uncircumcised! It were better that a stone were hanged about his neck and he were cast into the depths of the sea.
The warder rang his bell. 'Inside, you two! he shouted.
'Any complaints? asked the Governor on his rounds.
'Yes, sir, said Paul.
The Governor looked at him intently. 'Are you the man I put under special treatment?
'Yes, sir.
'Then it's ridiculous to complain. What is it?
'I have reason to believe that the man I have to take exercise with is a dangerous lunatic.