His musing had carried him many miles. Startled, he became aware of the fact that he could recall no point of the route from the spot where he had passed that solitary pedestrian. But the black cloud had won; for a darkness like night had fallen all around him. He must think what lay at the bottom of this winding road, and how they had approached it. He seemed to remember that there was a fork; that they had come out upon the valley side by one of three ways. But by which of them? He slowed down more and more as he reached the bottom of the slope, which now turned sharply eastward out of the valley. He had been right. Three roads opened before him. His decision was promptly made. He swung into the middle route, confidently giving the Rolls her head again. On he raced, along a smooth avenue, overshadowed, and so dark that midnight might have come. During that momentary check he had heard the booming of thunder, away behind him in the west. The avenue began to curve south. It seemed to be unfamiliarly narrow. More and more southerly it inclined, until at last came a crossroad. He pulled up, hesitated, and knew definitely that he had made a wrong choice. It was the north fork he should have taken. Therefore he turned left into the crossing, presuming that it must bring him out upon his proper route. Going was very bad. The Rolls bumped and shook from stem to stern. But he pursued his way and swore under his breath when he found that this road also inclined to the south. But now, through an opening in the trees, he saw yet another crossway. Left again he swung, pursued by louder rumbling of thunder. Rain was beginning to fall. Suddenly, his head lamps flooded a high wall. He wondered, but drove on; when--blinding, awesome--the lightning came… and he saw Her! There was a stone-faced house not twenty yards ahead, and on a balcony high up before an open window she stood. She wore some kind of cloudy robe--a jewelled girdle--the dress of a Theban priestess! One hand upraised rested against the sash of the window, the other upon the curve of her hip. She had long dark eyes which seemed to be watching him, and her lips were parted in a slight smile.… “I am dreaming,” he said aloud. “An Egyptian princess!” Save that it seemed to live, the beautiful figure was one of those out of a dim past which had watched over him from childhood! And now the wheel was wrenched from Barry’s grasp--he was aware of a cry--a loud, splintering crash--a sickening blow on the skull--of no more.… CHAPTER II. THE DIVIDING LINE Very slowly Barry Cumberland opened his eyes--took one look straight before him--and then shut them again quickly.