for the
European shore. Dion saw the bay opening to receive them under its
wooded hills which are pierced by the great valley. It stretched its
arms as if in welcome, and very calm was the water between them. Here
the wind failed. Along the shore were villas, and gardens rising
in terraces, where roses, lemon trees, laurels grew in almost rank
abundance. Across the water came the soft sound of music, a song of
Greece lifted above the thrumming of guitars. And something in the
aspect of this Turkish haven, sheltered from the winds of that Black Sea
which had come into sight off Kirech Burnu, something in the song which
floated over the water, struck deep into Dion's heart. Abruptly he
was released from his frozen detachment; tears sprang into his eyes,
memories surged up in his mind--memories of a land not very far from
this land; of the maidens of the Porch; of the hill of Drouva kept by
the stars and the sleeping winds; of Zante dreaming of the sunset; of
Hermes keeping watch over the child in the green recesses of Elis.

"Why do I come here? What have I to do here, or in any place dedicated
to beauty and to peace?"

His brown face twitched, and the wrinkles which sprayed out from his
eyelids over his thin cheeks worked till the network of them seemed to
hold an independent and furious life.

"If I were a happy traveler as I once was!"

The thought pierced him, and was followed immediately by the remembrance
of some words spoken by Mrs. Clarke:

"My friend, it will have to come."

That which had to come, would it come here, in this sheltered place,
where the song died away like a thing enticed by the long valley to
be kept by the amorous trees? Mrs. Clarke's voice had sounded full of
inflexible knowledge when she had spoken these words, and she had looked
at him with eyes that were full of knowledge. It was as if those eyes
had seen the weeping of many men.

The steamer drew near to the shore. The bright bustle of the quay was
apparent. Dion made his effort and conquered himself. But he felt almost
afraid of Buyukderer. In the ugly roar of the Grande Rue he had surely
been safer than he would be here in this place which seemed planned for
intimate happiness.

The steamer came alongside the pier.

When Dion stepped on to the quay a tall young Englishman with broad
shoulders, rather a baby face, and large intelligent blue eyes
immediately walked up to him.

"Are you Mr. Dion Leith?"

Dion, startled, was ab