the eagle is the bottomless Lake Pamvotis, where excursion boats carry passengers across
its dark green water to the island in the center of the lake and then on to the distant shores
across the lake.”
“It sounds perfect,” Larry said.
They arrived in the late afternoon and drove directly to their hotel, an old beautifully
kept one-story building on a hill high above the town, with a series of guest bungalows
scattered about the grounds. An old man in a uniform came out to greet them. He looked
at their happy faces.
“Honeymooners,” he said.
Catherine glanced at Larry and smiled. “How did you know?”
“You can always tell,” the old man declared. He led them into the lobby where they
registered and then showed them to their bungalow. It consisted of a living room and
bedroom, a bathroom and kitchen and a large terrazzo terrace. Over the tops of the
cypresses they had a magnificent view of the village and the lake below, dark and
brooding. It had the unreal beauty of a picture postcard.
“It’s not much”—Larry smiled—“but it’s all yours.”
“I’ll take it,” Catherine exclaimed.
“Happy?”
She nodded. “I don’t remember when I’ve been so happy.” She walked over to him
and held him tightly. “Don’t ever let me go,” she whispered.
His strong arms were around her, holding her close. “I won’t,” he promised.
While Catherine was unpacking, Larry strolled back to the lobby to talk to the room
clerk.
“What do people do around here?” Larry asked.
“Everything,” the clerk said proudly. “In the hotel we have a health spa. Around the
village there is hiking, fishing, swimming, boating.”
“How deep is the lake?” Larry inquired casually.
The clerk shrugged. “No one knows, sir. It is a volcanic lake. It is bottomless.”
Larry nodded thoughtfully. “What about the caves near here?” he asked.
“Ah! The Caves of Perama. They are only a few miles from here.”
“Have they been explored?”
“A few of them. Some are still closed.”
“I see,” said Larry.
The clerk continued. “If you like mountain climbing, I suggest Mount Tzoumerka. If
Mrs. Douglas is not afraid of heights.”