"The fact is we feel very grateful and we want to know what has become of the girl," interrupted Curtis, determined at all hazards to head off Lindbohm's explanation to this civilized Englishman, who might be inclined to smile at a tale of romance. "The commandant is out, but I think I am the very man you want to see," said the Englishman. "This gentleman, Kostakes, it seems, had three wives, two Turkish ladies besides the Greek--" "The Greek was not his wife!" interrupted Lindbohm, with dignity. "Well, however that may be, they all came back to the ruins of his house--it seems his house got in the way of one of our shells and there wasn't much left of it. Well, there they all stood, the two houris, wringing their hands and howling and the Greek quiet enough, but looking sort of dazed. I was out with a squad and came across them myself. Well, to make a long story short, we're assisting all the Turks to emigrate from here that feel so disposed, and we sent off the three women this morning." "My God--where to?" asked Lindbohm. "Why, the Greek, it seems, had some friends in Athens. She has had enough of Mohammedanism, and wanted to be put off there. So we gave her a pass to Athens. The other two go on to Constantinople." "When does the next boat go to Athens?" asked Curtis, looking up suddenly. "There's an Austrian Lloyd to-morrow morning at ten which stops at Athens." "For--?" "Trieste." The Englishman accompanied his two callers to the gate. "I'd like to hear the story of your adventures with the insurgents," he said. "You must have had some lively experiences. Good day, gentlemen." "By the way," cried Lindbohm, turning back, "lest there be any mistake, was this Greek girl very beautiful?" "Ye-es, yes, I should call her a very fine woman." "What was the color of her hair? Brown?" "I don't remember exactly. I believe it was." "Tall, slender, oval face, big, fine eyes?" "Well, you see, I only saw her for a moment. She certainly was tall and slender, and--and--a fine, handsome woman. Held her head back and threw her chest out, and had a sort of independent air about her." Lindbohm had no further doubts; he was not aware of Ferende's existence. Preparations for departure on the morrow were begun at once. Curtis had no difficulty in raising some money at Cook's on his letter of credit. His passport and two or three letters from home were sufficient identification. "How are you off for money, old man?" he asked Lindbohm. The Lieutenant drew from the recesses of the ancient, water-warped pocketbook a five pound note, badly faded and stained. It came in two at one of the creases as he held it up. "I will paste this together," he said, "and it will be yust as good as ever. I have plenty more in Athens." "All right, then," replied Curtis, "I'll get the tickets--" "But I have plenty." "We must buy some clothes. I'll get the tickets."