Chapter 3, 1922 Summary

In 1922, the Turkish army attacks the Greek army, forcing them back toward Smyrna, and in their retreat, the Greeks wreak as much destruction on the Turkish people as possible, burning down villages in their wake. The Turkish army pursues the Greeks into Smyrna, sending refugees flooding into Greece. Armenian locals are trapped in Smyrna, where the Turks slaughter them, setting the whole city on fire, except for the Turkish quarter. Anyone trying to escape the flames is killed. Over 120,000 people die, but Dimitrios lives.

Sixteen years later, Latimer arrives in Smyrna, feeling a fool for pursuing his probably impossible whim of investigating Dimitrios. He can think of no reasonable way he can see the police records of the trial of Dhris Mohammed. However, he finds Smyrna pleasant and comfortable, so he stays. Latimer cannot forget about Dimitrios, and he hires a Russian interpreter...