The strip of sky was cloudless and starry overhead; the air had the pleasant languor of a summer night in June; the lights flashing from the windows and doorways gave to the leaves of the trees the fresh green look of spring; and outside in the roadway the carriages rolled with a thunderous hum like the sound of the sea.

And on this night, too, there came a man into the courtyard who knew Durrance.

But he did not hesitate.

He came straight up to Durrance and sat down upon the seat at his side.

Durrance dropped the paper at which he was glancing and held out his hand.
"How do you do ?" said he.