PREFACE ix 



different directions hundreds of miles apart. So my apologies 

 are due to my readers, if I am sometimes obliged to ask them 

 to retrace their steps with mine while I return to pick up 

 the threads of the story. 



To my critics I would say that I was trained to the 

 profession of the sword, so would ask them to deal gently 

 with my attempts to handle the proverbially mightier and, 

 therefore, more difficult weapon. 



B. A. 



The Ark, Studland, 



OctoherlWl. ■ . , - : :'i 



