e Mark of the Beast, while, at the same time, they denounced
Apleon as the Anti-christ.

Over and over again during their testimony, attempts had been made to
silence them, every conceivable death-attack had been made upon
them--but nothing harmed them. No weapon formed against them could
prosper, until their "witness" was completed. And every one who had
assisted in any form, in attacking them, had died in the act.

Now, Apleon, attended by the ten kings, who had been summoned to
Jerusalem, rode down from the Temple. At the branding station, the ten
kings dismounted, and each received the foul mark on the forehead.

As the last of them received the brand, a startled wondering cry burst
from some of the multitude who thronged "The Broadway," and following
the many pointing fingers of the startled ones, every one saw how that
purple, lambent flames played about Apleon's forehead in the form of
the "Covenant" sign.

"_He doeth great wonders in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that
dwell on the earth by means of these miracles._" Rev. xiii. 12, 14.

"_Power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations._"
Rev. xiii. 7. "_He shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt
himself, and magnify himself above every God._"

Acclaiming him as very God, the people suddenly prostrated themselves
in worship before the great deceiver.

Suddenly the voices of the two witnesses were heard. Both voices were
clear and distinct, yet neither clashed with the other, even though
each voice used separate terms. They stood about a hundred yards apart
from each other.

Everyone rose to their feet, every eye was fixed upon the two grand,
fearless faces, as they thundered forth their words of warning of
judgment, of entreaty. Then suddenly they turned their gaze and their
speech upon Apleon himself.

As the "Te Deum" sprang spontaneously from the lips of Ambrose and
Augustine, each saint voicing an alternate stanza, so now the two
witnesses hurled their fulminations against the Man of Sin:

"_Thou heart of all foulness and deceiveableness, with the breath of
His lips shall the Christ slay thee._" Isa. xi. 4.

"_Thou marked one, the Lord shall consume thee with the spirit of His
mouth, and shall destroy thee with the brightness of His coming._" 2
Thess. ii. 8.

"_O thou enemy! Thy destructions shall soon come to a perpetual end._"
Ps. lx. 6.

"_It shall come to pass in that day_ (when Jehovah shall de