Dedication: FOR RODDY (Lewis Charles Rodd)|This book is offered as a tribute to one indifferent to tribute and now passed beyond it. His care it was - amid so many cares for others - to supervise and see into print all my books. This, the only novel he did not live to approve, is a belated and unworthy acknowledgement of all his devotion.

Author's note: Certain persons, knowing that I lived for many years in Hunters Hill, may see resemblances between Parramatta and Lane Cove. But further thought will assure them that the events centring around my imaginary castle of Tantavallon never happened. Nor are there any persons even distantly resembling any of those depicted. A book is nothing more than the author's fantasy, put into print to be shared with whoever may be entertained enough to read to the end.|K.T.