PREFACE
THE SIGN IN THE SKY
BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON
FOR THE SAKE OF A LITTLE CHILD
IN THE HIDDEN WAY OF SORROW
A PEARL OF GREAT PRICE



PREFACE


It is now some years since this little story was set afloat on the sea
of books. It is not a man-of-war, nor even a high-sided merchantman;
only a small, peaceful sailing-vessel. Yet it has had rather an
adventurous voyage. Twice it has fallen into the hands of pirates. The
tides have carried it to far countries. It has been passed through the
translator's port of entry into German, French, Armenian, Turkish, and
perhaps some other foreign regions. Once I caught sight of it flying
the outlandish flag of a brand-new phonetic language along the coasts
of France; and once it was claimed by a dealer in antiquities as a
long-lost legend of the Orient. Best of all, it has slipped quietly
into many a far-away harbor that I have never seen, and found a kindly
welcome, and brought back messages of good cheer from unknown friends.

Now it has turned home to be new-rigged and fitted for further
voyaging. Before it is sent out again I have been asked to tell where
the story came from and what it means.

I do not know where it came from--out of the air, perhaps. One thing is