hues reflected from the glowing sky on the white summit of the
mountains.

"Yes, ... I ... I think so!" The answer had a touch of indecision
in it.

"In that case," resumed Heliobas, "I have prepared a letter of
introduction for you to one of our Order known as Elzear of
Melyana,--he is a recluse, and his hermitage is situated close to
the Babylonian ruins. You will find rest and shelter there after
the fatigues of travel. I have also traced out a map of the
district, and the exact position of the field you seek, . . here it
is," and he laid a square piece of parchment on the table; "you
can easily perceive at a glance how the land lies. There are a few
directions written at the back, so I think you will have no
difficulty. This is the letter to Elzear,"--here he held out a
folded paper--"will you take it now?"

Alwyn received it with a dubious smile, and eyed the donor as if
he rather suspected the sincerity of his intentions.

"Thanks very much!" he murmured listlessly. "You are exceedingly
good to make it all such plain sailing for me,--and yet ... to be
quite frank with you, I can't help thinking I am going on a fool's
errand!"

"If that is your opinion, why go at all?" queried Heliobas, with a
slight disdain in his accents. "Return to England instead--forget
the name of 'Ardath,' and forget also the one who bade you meet
her there, and who has waited for you 'these many thousand days!'"