I roused the five other visiting versions of myself before dawn, and we went to the laboratory. I had coated the key in soot and the old trick worked well so the lock was not so difficult to operate.

I showed them the rig I had made and explained what I thought could be done to get them home. I thought it a little ungrateful of them that they did not wish to have a hand in the removal of the Fashion Furs equipment, but I did feel that the return to my own world could not come soon enough.

They went to get ready, to dress in their original clothing, gather what they had brought with them. I also prepared what I would need, and checked the rig carefully then my calculations three times.

I looked into the Laboratory at the time I intended to go back to, and found it empty, so when we were all assembled I locked the door and put the key in my pocket.

Carefully we stepped into the circle and I set the controls and pressed the button.

'Is that it?' someone enquired. 'No noise, no lights?'
'Sorry - there seems to be nothing to indicate that the move has occurred, other than the change in the room. Be careful of the wires as you step out of the circle.'

We went out, I locked the door and shouldered the rod which I intended to place in my own continuum, then we walked out. Knowing the routine of the House it was easy enough to avoid those corridors which would be used at that time of day, and we went out and around the House on the West side.

With a few words and nods we separated, and I went to the walled garden to wait. Each version of myself would be doing the same thing, at different points around the grounds.

I watched the gate, and as soon as the scene on the other side of it altered, I walked through, placed the rod where it was not too obvious, then walked back into the other continuum. In a few minutes I heard the sound of myself approaching, so I stood on the far side of the lean to building until I left with the Captain. I then sprinted back to the Laboratory and returned to my time of departure.