This story begins in July 1923. Anavyssos is a deserted seaside place, at the head of the Saronic Gulf, about ten miles before Cape Sounion.

No public road leads to that place. All the roads go behind the small hills that close off the barren land of the area, where the traveler will find not a single tree.

Only thorny shrubs, rushes, and sand are found. No human hands have plowed the soil for many centuries, and the sand, rain, and sun have carried out their work alone, without the sweat of man.

The hills extend low to the sea, encircling it and creating a natural inlet that leaves a narrow passage to the open sea.