w lands by a few survivors, had bequeathed to men
the legend of the Deluge. The riddle of The Sphinx, most ancient
religious symbol in the known world, was resolved; for Paul saw it to
represent man emerging from the animal and already aspiring to the
spiritual state.

War, pestilence and vast geographical upheavals alike were
manifestations of spiritual conflict physically reflected. Some of the
German philosophers had perceived this dimly, but as one born in
blindness fails to comprehend light, their vision was no more than
hereditary memory of another pit of doom which had engulfed them. Those
who spoke of casting down the spirit of Prussian militarism used
metaphor veiling a truth profound as that which underlies the Holy
Trinity, and which is symbolised by the Sphinx. As vultures swooped to
carrion, as harlots flocked to Babylon, so had the unredeemed souls of
the universe descended upon Germany....

Thus his concept of evil was universal, and to those who sought to fix
"responsibility" for the war upon this one or that he raised a
protesting hand. No man made the Deluge.

By subtle means, insidious as the breath of nard, corruption of primeval
sin was spread from race to race. By like means it must be combated,
Truth must be disguised if it should penetrate to enemy darkness. A
naked truth is rarely acceptable, or, as Don expressed it, "Truth does
not strip well." Paul discussed this aspect of the matter with Don and
Thessaly one day. "We are all children," he said. "If it were not for
such picturesque people as Henry VIII and Charles II we should forget
our history for lack of landmarks. Carefully selected words are the
writer's landmarks, and in remembering them one remembers the passage
which they decorated. I can conjure up at will the entire philosophy of
Buddha as epitomised in the _Light of Asia_ by contemplation of such a
landmark; Arnold's expression for a sheep, 'woolly mother.' There are
other words and phrases which the art of their users in the same way has
magically endowed: 'Totem' is one of these. It is for me a Pharos
instantly opening up the fairway to a great man's philosophy.
'Damascus,' too, has such properties, and the phrase 'cherry blossom in
Japan' bears me upon a magical carpet to a certain street in Yokohama
and there unveils to me all the secrets of Japanese mysticism."

"I quite see your point," Don replied. "In the same way I have never
ceased to regret that I was not born in Ashb