I stepped through the ring and noticed how gentle the transport was compared to the portal. We arrived in the Rotunda, and were surprised to find the ground floor was stacked with boxes. I examined them quickly.

‘These are the boxes in which I transported the Fashion Furs equipment. If J.B. is here, he hasn’t got a projector.’

‘This J.B. – he is exactly like me.’

‘Exactly – but he doesn’t wear kilts.’

He frowned, and then shrugged.

‘We should search the House.’ We said in chorus, and Mister Brown locked the door to the Rotunda as we left.

I was checking the species used for the topiary chessmen and I found them correct, but as I passed the Kings and Queens I noticed that they were positioned wrongly – the Queens faced eachother across the walkway.

‘What is wrong?’ Mister Brown enquired, and I pointed to the Queens.

‘Oh.’ He said quietly. ‘But is that the only thing?’

‘All that I can see so far.’

We went through the wrought iron gate and I looked around.

‘What are those buildings?’

I was looking South and there were rooftops just visible across the road.

‘Oh that’s the new accommodation block, for the Institute. It won’t be visible once the trees have grown up.’

‘I see.’

‘That is not on your time line?’

‘No.’

‘The House is the most important – I think?’

‘Yes, the Hall – let’s look there first.’

I hurried along the front of the House, and Mister Brown strode along beside me and took my arm, for fear that I might stumble, I think. Reaching the porch we found the front door wide open, which was unusual for so early on a Sunday morning, but we did not pause to investigate, but rather increased our pace and ran into the Hall, then came to an abrupt halt.

On the floor was drawn an exclamation mark, somewhat foreshortened.

‘Wait here.’ Said Mister Brown and walked forward to investigate. I followed him, and watched as he crouched down to examine the phenomenon.

‘Is it ash?’

‘Yes – something like ash.’

‘I think it might be J.B.’ I said quietly, stepping back a little.

If Mister Brown had had fur it would all have stood on end, as it was he lept to his feet and brushed the ash from his hands.

‘I’ll bring a dustpan and brush, and a vase.’ I said, and hurried away. Half way to the door, I’m afraid I grinned, probably rather manically, at the resolution of my concerns about J.B.’s future interference in my life.

I found what I needed in the housekeeping cupboard by the porter’s room and returned to the Hall, where Mister Brown was gazing at the mark from a little distance.

‘He set up the projector – there – and stood there – ‘ I indicated the circle – ‘To use the needle – the controller, and make the portal there, so it had the space to move, in case he needed to refocus it. When the agent of the DOS fired at the portal, it acted as a lens – focused it on J.B. and – out brief candle.’

Mister Brown shuddered.

‘It must have been instantaneous.’

‘I suppose it must – ‘

‘Lets tidy him up before it spreads further.’

I carefully swept up the dust and poured it into the vase. It was mostly very light and fluffy, but the circle had a heavier base layer. There were flakes of iron oxide.

When the floor was clean again I put my handkerchief over the top of the vase and knotted it in place in case of accidents.

‘I was wondering what we could do – if he would work with us or against us – if I would have to fight him – and now – I’ll never know.’

‘Probably for the best. He worked with the Government – changing things. I expect that there will be alterations here, things which were to happen now will not - now he isn’t influencing them.’

Mister Brown took the vase, his hands shook.

‘You will be the best one to decide what to do with him. If you would like to put that somewhere in the gardens…’

‘I need to think about it – I’ll go back and bring down the devices, and Joanne.’

‘Good idea – where do I live?’

‘Mmm? Oh. In the stable block, number three – next to the workshop.’