through the Narrows. To
starboard, Bay Ridge basked in golden light. Forward, over the starboard
bow, beyond leagues of stained water quick with the life of two-score
types of harbour and seagoing craft, New York reared its ragged
battlements against a sky whose blue had been faded pale by summer heat.
Soft airs and warm breathed down the Bay, bearing to his nostrils that
well-kenned, unforgettable odour, like none other on earth, of the
sun-scorched city.

Staff filled his lungs and was glad. It is good to be an American able
to go roaming for to admire and for to see; but it is best of all to be
an American coming home.

Joy in his heart, Staff dodged below, made his customs declaration,
bolted his breakfast (with the greater expedition since he had for
company only Mrs. Thataker, a plump, pale envelope for a soul of pink
pining for sympathy) and hurried back to the deck.

Governor's Island lay abeam. Beyond it the East River was opening
up--spanned by its gossamer webs of steel. Ahead, and near at hand, New
York bulked magnificently, purple canyons yawning between its
pastel-tinted cliffs of steel and glass and stone: the heat haze,
dimming all, lent soft enchantment....

Ranks of staring passengers hid the rail, each a bundle of unsuspected
hopes and fears, longings and apprehensions, keen for the hour of
landing that would bring confirmation, denial, disappointment,
fulfillment.

Amidships Staff descried Mrs. Ilkington's head and shoulders next to
Miss Searle's profile. Arkroyd was with them and Bangs. Alison he did
not see, nor Iff. As he hesitated whether or not to approach them, a
steward touched his arm apologetically.

"Beg pardon--Mr. Staff?"

"Yes ...?"

"Mr. Manvers--the purser, sir--awsked me to request you to be so kind as
to step down to Miss Landis' stiteroom."

"Certainly."

The door to Alison's sitting-room was ajar. He knocked and heard her
voice bid him enter. As he complied it was the purser who shut the door
tight behind him.

He found himself in the presence of Alison, Jane, Manvers and three men
whom he did not know. Alison alone was seated, leaning back in an
armchair, her expression of bored annoyance illustrated by the quick,
steady tapping of the toe of her polished boot. She met his questioning
look with a ready if artificial and meaningless smile.

"Oh, you weren't far away, were you, Staff?" she said lightly. "These
gentlemen want to ask you some questions about that wret