The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 15, 1905, Page 3

* neither fear nor pity. bor. At length they saw the top of t loftiest mountain grow luminous with the coming dawn, although, the land it- self was still lost in shadow, and saw also that it seemed to be towering al- t over them. 3 “Take courage,” cried Lozelle, “I think that we are saved,” and he hoist- ed a second lantern at his masthead— why. they did not know. After this the sea began to fall, only to grow rough again for a while as they crossed some bar, to find themselves in calm water, and on either side of them what appeared in the dim, uncertain light, to be the bush-clad banks of a For a ]v‘nile they ran on, till Lozelle called in a loud voice to the sallors to let the anchor go, and sént a messen ta say that all might rest now, 'y ‘were safe. So they laid them n 7and tried to sleep, Dut unund could not sleep. Pres- > arose, and throwing on her went to the door of the cabin 3 at the beauty of the moun- v with the new-born ligat, misty surface of the har- it was a lonely place—at least she could see no town or house, al- though tuey were lying not fifty yards from the tree-hidden shore. As rhe stood thus, she heard the sound of boats lLcing rowed through the m st, “rd locking down, perceived also that Lozelie, who stood alone upon the deck, was watching treir approach. Now the first boat made fast and a man “in the prow rose up and began to peak to Lozelle in a low voic A did so the hood fell back from his head. and Rosamund saw the face. It tvas that of the spy Nicholas! For a ‘moment she stood amazed, for they had left this man in Cyprus; then un- d‘ersénndlng came to her and she cried aloud: “Treachery! Prince Hassan, there is . treachery.” As the words, left her lips fierce, ‘wild-looking men began>to scramble aboard at the low walist of the galley, to which boat after boat made fast. The Saracens also tumbled from the benches where they slept and ran aft to the deck where Rosamund was, all except one of them, who was cut off in the prow of the ship. Prince Has- 'san appeared, too, scimitar in hand, clad in his jeweled turban and coat of mail, but without his cloak, shouting orders as he came, while the hired crew of the ship flung themselves upon their knees and begged for mercy. To him Rosamund cried out that they were betrayed and by Nicholas, whom she had seen. Then a great man, wearing a white burnous and holding a naked sword in his hand, stepped forward and sald in Arabic: “Yield you now, for you are outnum- bered and your captain is captured,” d to Lozelle, who was be- two men while his arms behind him, name do you bid me asked the Prince, glaring about him like a lion in a trap. “In the dread name of Sinan, i name of the lord Al-Jebal, O d-din.” ords a groan of fear went Saracens, for Yy learned that they had to do with the terrible chief of the .ssassins. i ar betwean the Sul- 1 H ed Hassan, form=d up. n know all hissed Ha n, who has come and that Frank- night,” and he ay, we yield not, r: s, yoy have to do not and the knife, but with nd brave men. Aye, and d your lord—that Salah- will take vengeance for this “Let him try it if he wishes to die, who hitherto has been spared,” an- swered the tall man quietly. Then he d to his follower ut them down, ave the women’—for the Frencn an, Marie, was now clinging to the arm of Rosamund—"and Emir Hassan, whom I am commanded to bring living to Masyaf.” t “Back to your cabin, lady,” said Hassan, “and remember that whate'er befalls, we have done cur best to save you. Aye, and tell it to my lord, that my honor may be clean in his eyes. Now, soldiers of Salah-ed-din, fight and die as he has taught you how. The gates of paradise stand open, and no coward will enter there.” They answered with a fierce guttural cry. Then, as Rosamund fled to the cabin, the fray began, a hideous fray. On came the Assassins with sword and dagger, striving to storm the deck. Again and again they were beaten back, till the waist seemed full of their corpses, as man by man they fell be- neath the curved scimitars, and again and again they charged these men who, when their master ordered, knew But more boat- loads came from the shore, and the Saracens were but few, worn also with storm and sickness, so at last Rosa- mund peeping beneath her hand, saw that the poop was gained. Here and there a man fought on until he fell beneath the cruel knives in the midst of the circle of the dead, among_them the warrior Prince Has- san. Watching him with fascinated eyes as he strove alone against a host, Rosamund was put in mind of another scene, when her father, alone also, had striven thus against that emir and his soldiers, and even then she bethought her of the “justice of God. See! his foot slipped on the blocd-stained deck. He was down, and ere he could rise again they had thrown cloaks over him, these fierce, silent men, who even with their lives at stake, remembered the command of their captain, to take him living. So living they took him, with nct a wound upon his skin, who when he struck them down, had never struck back at him lest the command of Sinan should be broken. Rosamund noted it, and remembering that his command was also that she ghould be brought to him unharmed, knew that she had no violence to fear at the hands of these cruel murderers. From this thought, and because Has- san still lived, she took such comfort as she might. “It is finished,” said the tall man, in his cold voice. “Cast these dogs into ‘the sea who have dared to disobey the command of Al-Jebal.” So they took them up, dead and liv- ing together, and threw them into the water, where they sank, nor did one of ¢00¢S not matter, and I can protect you the wounded Saracens pray them for mercy. Then they served their own dead likewise, but those that were only wounded they took ashore. This done, the tall man advanced to the cabin and said: “Lady, come, we are ready to start upcn our journey." Having no choice, Rosamund obeyed him, .remembering as she went how from a scene of battle and bloodshed she had been brought aboard that ship to be carried she' knew not whither, Which now she left in a scene of battle and blocdshed to be carried she knew not whither., “Oh!” she cried aloud, pointing to the corpses they hurled into the deep, “ill has it gone with these who stole me, and ill'may it go with you also, serv- ant of Al-Jebal.” But the tall man answered nothing, and followed by the weeping Marie and ;::LPrlnce Hassan, he led her to the here they tore Marie from her, nor did Rosamund ever learn what became of her,"or whether or no she found her sions and g kind of waking madness in husband whom she had dared so much which you might do deéds whereof you to seek. were afterward ashamed. Or you S— might swear oaths that would =it CHAPTER XL heavy on your souls, and yet could not —_— be broken except at the cost of life.” “Fear not,” answered Wulf. ‘“Water shall be our drink, who have had enough of drugged wines,” for he re- membered the Christmas feast in the hall at Steeple; < “You, Sir Godwin,” went on Ma- souda, “have about your neck a certain ring which you were mad enough to" show to me a stranger—a ring with writing on it that none can read save the great men that in this land are called the dais. Well, as it chances, the secret is safe with me; but be wise and say nothing of that ring, and let no eve see it.” ““Why not,” asked Godwin. token of our dead uncle to the Al- The City of Al-Jebal. “Trouble not,” said Godwin, “it is but 2 scratch from the beast’s claws. Iam ashamed that you should put your hair to such vile uses. Give me a little water, I pray you.” Masouda arose without a word and fetched him water, in which she min- gled wine. He drank of it and his faintness left him, so that he was able to stand up and move his arms and “Why,” he said, “it is nothing; I was only shaken. That lioness did not hurt me at all.** “It is the 1. 'But you hurt the lioness,” said Wulf, Swith a laugh. “By St. Chad! a good Jebal.” thrust,” and he pointed to the long She looked round her cautiously and sword driven up to the hilt through the replied: brute's breast. *“Why, I swear, I could not have made a better myself.” “I think it was the lion that thrust,” answered Godwin. “I only held the sword straight. Drag it out, brother, I am still too weak.” So Wuif set his foot upon the breast of the lion and tugged and tugged until at length he ioosened the sword, say- ing as he strained at it: “Oh! what an Essex hog am I, who slept through-it all, never waking until Mascuda seized me by the hair, and I opened my eyes to see you upon sthe ground with this yellow beast croudhed on the top of you like a hen on a nest- esg. I thought that it was alive and smote it with my sword, which, had I been fully awake, I doubt if I should have the courage to do. Look,” and he pushed the lioness’ head with his foot, whereon it twisted round in such a fashion that. they perceived for the first time that it only hung to the shoulders by a thread of skin, “I am glad you did not smite a lit- tle harder,” said Godwlin, “or I should row be in two pieces and drowned in my own blood, instead of that of this dead brute,” and he looked ruefully at is burnous and hauberk, which were soaked with gore. d said Wulf, “I never thought Who would in such a hur- “Because It is, or once was, the great signet, and a day may come when it will save vour lives. Doubtless when the lord who is dead thought it gone forever he caused another to be fash- foned, so like that I who have had it in my hand could not tell the two apart. To him who holds that ring all* gates are open; but to let it be known that Yyou have its double means death. Do you understand ?"* They nodded, and she continued: “Lastly—though you may think that this seems much to ask—trust me al- ways, even if I seem to play you false, who for vour sakes,” and she'sighed, “have broken oaths and spoken words for which the punishment is'te die by “Ye: of that. Lady Masouda,” said Godwin, “when last I saw you you were hang- m these jaws. Say, are you she answered, “for T wear mail like you, and the teeth glanced on it £o that she heid me by the cloak only. Come, let us skin the beast, and take its pelt as a present to the lord Al-Jebal.” “Good,” said Godwin, “and I give u the claws for a necklace.” ‘I will wear them,” ghe ans vered, and helped Wulif flay the lioness while God- win sat by resting. When it was done Wulf went to the little cave and walked into it, come out again with a bound. “Why!” he said, “there are more of them in there. I saw their eyes and heard them Now give me a burning branc d I will show you, re , that you are not the only one an fight a lion.” , You foolish man,” broke in “Doubtless those are hev cubs, and if you siay them, her mate will follow us for miles; but If they are left safe he will stay to feed them. Come, let us begone from this place as swiftly as we can.” So having shown them the skin of the lion, that they might know it was but a dead thing, at the sight of which they snorted and trembled, they packed it upon one of the mules and rode off slow into a valley some tive miles away, ere was water but no trees. Here, since Godwin needed rest, they stopped ail that day and night which followed, seeing no more of lions, though they watched for them sharply enough. The next morning, having slept well, he was himself again, and they started forward through a broken country toward a deep cleft, on either eide of which stood a tall mountain. “This * said Masouda, to-night -we should sleep in the gate, whence one day's ride brings us to his city.” Soon they rode till at length, perched upon the sides of the cleft, they saw a ‘castle, a great building with high walls, to which they came at sunset. 1t seemed that they were expected in this place, for men hastened to meet them, who greeted Mascuda and eyed the brethren curiously, especially after they had heard of the adventure with the lion. These took them, not into the castle, but to a kind of hostelry at its back, where they were furnished with food and slept the night. Next morning they went on again to a hilly country with beautiful and fer- tile valleys. Through this they rode for two hours, passing on their way several villages, where somber-eyed people were laboring in the fields. From each village, as they drew near to it, horsemen would gallop out and chal- lenge them, whereon Masouda rode for- ward and spoke with the leader alone. Then he would touch his forehead with his hand and bow his head and they rode on unmolested. “See,” she sald, when they had been stopped for the fourth time, “what chance you had of winning through to Masyaf alone. Why, I tell you, breth- ren, that you would have been dead before ever you passed the gates of the first castle.” Now they rode up a long slope, and at its crest paused to look upon a mar- velous scene. Below them stretched a vast plain, full of villages, cornflelds, olive groves, and vineyards. In the cen- ter of this plain, some fifteen miles away, rose a great mountain, which seemed to be walled all about. Within the wall was a city of which the white, flat-roofed houses climbed the slopes of the mountain, and on its crest a flat space of land covered with,trees and a great, many-towered castle surround- by more houses. “Behold the home of Al-Jebal, lord of the mountain? said Masouda, “where we must sleep to-night. Now, brethren, listen to me. Few strangers who enter that castle come thence liv- ing. There is still time; I can pass you back as I passed you thither. Will you go on?” “We will go on,” they answered with one breath. “Why? What have you to gain? You seek a certain maiden. Why seek her here whom you say has been taken by Salah-ed-din? Because the Al-Je- bal of bygone days swore to befriend one of your blood. But that Al-Jebal is dead, and another of his line rules who took no such oath. How do you know that he will befriend you—how that he will not enslave or kill you? I have power in this land, why or how against all that dwell in it—as I swear I will, for did not one of you save my life?” and she glanced at Godwin—"ex- cept mv lord Sinan, against whom I have no power, for I am his slave.” v “He is the enemy of Salah-ed-din, ¥ and may help us for his hate's sake.' torment. Nay, thank me not, for I do “Yes, he is the enemy of Salah-ed- only what I must who am & siave—a din now more than ever. He may help glave,” you or he may not. Also,” ded slave to whom?” asked Godwin, with meaning, “you may nof wish the staring at her. \ help he offers. Oh!” and there was a “To the Lord of All the Mountains,” note of entreaty in her voice; “think, she answered with a smile that was think! * For the last time, I prav you sweet yet very sad to see; and without think!" another word spurred on her horse. “We have thought,” answered God- “What does she mean,” asked win, solemnly, “and, whatever chances, win of Wulf, when she was we will obey the command of the dead.” hearing, “seeing that if Masouda speak She heard, and bowed her head in as- truth, for our sakes, u_x:& then said, looking up again: against him, she is bre from be it. You are not easily turned to this lord?” your purpose, and I like that “I do not know, brother, and I spirit well. But hear my counsel. not seek to know. All her talk may be ‘While you are In this city speak no a part of a plot to blind us, or it may Arabic and tend not. Let well alone and trust in for- tune, " MA rede,” and they rode forward in silence. his guests, that. if they pass the lips, produce vi- court ant to the taste; . ‘women whom they could - not see sang sweet songs, and played upon harps and lutes. Wine was offered to them also; but of this, remembering Ma- souda’s words, they would not drink, ‘women bore. the dishes, and black Slaves appedred.” These men led them ungna -Godwnl, to baths such. 3 s evening came to the wall of the quter city, halting’ in front of the great gate- way. Here, as at the first castle, a band of solemn-looking mounted men came out to meet them, and, having spoken a few words with Masouda, led them over the drawbridge that spanned the first rock-cut moat, and through triple ntu'ot iron into the city. Then they passed’ up a street very steep and W, from the roofs and windows of the houses on elther side of which hun- dreds of people—many of them seemed to be engaged at their evening prayer— watchd them g0 by. At the head of this street they reached another forti- fled gateway, on the turrets of which, s0 motionless that at first they took them to be statues cut in stone, stood in long white robes. After parley, this also was opened to them, and again they rode through triple doors. Then they saw all the wonder of the place, for between the outer city where they stood and the castle, with its Inner tower that was bullt around and beneath it, yawned a vast gulf over ninety feet in depth. Across this gulf ran a causeway some two hundred yards in length, built of blocks of stone, quite unrailed, and not ,more than three paces wide, which causeway is support- upon arches reared up at (ntervals from the bottom of the gulf. “Ride on and have no fear,”, said Ma- souda, “Youk horses are trained to heights, and the mules and mine will follow.” So Godwin, showing noth- ing in his face of the doubt that he felt in his heart, patted Flame upon the neck, and, after hanging back a little, the horse started, lifting its hoofs high and glancing from side to side at the terrible gulf beneath. Where Flame went Smoke knew that it could go, and came on bravely, but snorting a little, while the mules, that did not fear heights so long as the ground was firm beneath their feet, followed. Only Masouda’s horse was terrified, backed, and -strove to round, till she drove the spur ;’K‘:ellt. when of a sudden it started and came over at a gallop. At length they were across, and pass- ing under another gateway which had d terraces on either side of it, rode :;O: long street and entered the great yard, around which stood the - castle, a vast and frowning fortress. Here a white-robed officer came for- ward, greeting them with a low bow, and with him servants who a dismount. ;}:'Yuneuwto a great range of stables on omne side of the courtyard, whither the brethren followed to see the beasts groomed and fed. Then the officer, who had stood patiently by the while, ¢on- ducted them through doorways and down passages to the giest chambers. large vaulted rooms, where they found their baggage ready for them. Masouda said that she would see them again on the following morning, and departed in company with the officer. isted ‘These men took the Here ‘Wulf looked round the great vaulted chamber, which, now that the dark had fallen, was lit by flickering lamps set in iron brackets round {the wall, and said: “Well, for my part, I had rather pass the night in the desert among the lions than in this dismal place.” « Scarcely were the words out of his lips when curtains swung aside and beautifu] women entered, clad in gauzy veils and bearing dishes of food. These they placed upor the ground before them, inviting them to eat with nods and smiles, while others aj rying basins of scented water, they poured over their hands. car- which Then and ate the food that and while they ate, g by signs for water, which was brought after a little pause. When their _meal was done, the beautiful THE- SAN..FRANCISCO SUNDAY CALL. rubbed with spicy-smelling oils, and having been wrapped in white robes, were: brought back to their chamber, where they found beds spread for them. On these, being very weary, they lay down, when a strange, sweet music broke out afresh, and to the sound of it they fell asleep. - ‘When they awoke it was to see light streaming through the high, lat- ticed windows. “Did you sleep, Godwin,” asked Wulf. “Well enough,” answered his brother, ‘“only I dreamed that throughout the night folk came and looked at me.” “I_dreamed that also,” said Wulf, “moreover, I think that it was not all a dream, since there is a coverlet on my bed which was not there when I went to sleep.” Godwin looked at his own, where also was another coverlet added. doubtless as the night ‘grew colder in that high place, “I have heard of enchanted castles,” he said; “now I think we have found one.” “Aye,” replied Wulf, “and it is well enongh while it lasts.” They rose and dressed them- selves, putting on clean gar- ;ments and their best cloaks that they had brought with them on the mules, after which the veiled women entered the room . with breakfast, and they ate. When this was fin- ished, having nothing else to do, they made signs to one of the women that they wished for cloths wherewith to clean their armor, for, as they had been bidden, they pretended to under- stand ne word of Arabic. She nodded, and presently returned with a com- pavion carrying leathers and paste in a jar. Nor did they leave them, but, sitting upon the ground, whether the brethren willed it or no, took the shirts of mail and rubbed them till they shone like silver, while God%in and Wulf pol- ished their helms, spurs, and bucklers, cleaning their swords and daggers also, and sharpening them with a stone which they carried for that purpose. Now as these women worked, they began to talk to each other in a low voice, and some of their talk, though not all, the brethren understood. “A handsome pair, truly,” said the first. “We should be fortunate if we had such men for husbands, although they are Franks and infidels.” “Aye," answered the other; “and from their likeness they must be twins. Now which of them would you choose?"” Then for a long time they discussed them, comparing them feature by fea- ture and limb by limb, until the breth- ren felt their faces grow red beneath the sunburn and scrubbed furiously at thelr armor to show a reason for it. At length one of the women said: “It was cruel of Masouda to bring these birds into the master's net. She might have warned them.” “Masouda was ever cruel,” answered the other, “who hates all men, which is unnatural. Yet I think if she loved a man she would love him well, and perhaps that might be worse for him than her hate.” # i “?re these knights spies?” asked the rst. “I suppose £0.” was the answer, “silly fellows who think that they can spy upon a nation of spies. They would have done better to keep to fighting, at which, doubtless, they are Yod enough. ‘What will happen to them?"” “What always happens, I suppose— & pleasant time gt first, then, if they can be put to no other use, a choice between the faith and the cup. Or, perhaps, as they seem men of rank, they may be imprisoned in the dungeon tower and held for ransom. Yes, yes; it was cruel of Masouda to trick them £0, who may be but travelers after all, desiring to see our city.” Just then the curtain was drawn, and through it entered Masouda her- self. She was dressed in a white robe that had a dagger worked in red over the left breast, and her long black hair fell upon her shoulders, although it was half hid by a vell, open in front, which hung from her head. Never had they seen her look so utiful as she seemed thus. “Greetings, brothers Peter and John. Is-this fit work for pilgrims?"” she said in French, pointing to the long swords which they were sharpening. . “Aye,” answered Wulf as they rose and bo to her, “for pilgrims to this —holy city.”" E The women who were cleaning the mail bowed also, for it seemed that fnatched the hauberk from his hands, Whereat, when her back was turned, they glanced at one another. “Now,"” she said, when they were ful- ly armed and had donned their mantles, “you brethren look as pilgrims should. Listen, I have a message for you. The master”—and she bowed her head, as did the women, guessing of whom she spoke—"will receive you in an hour’s time; till then, if it please you, we can walk in the gardens, which are worth your seeing.” So they went out with her, and as they passed toward the curtain she whispered: “For your life's sake, remember all that I have told you—about every- thing, about the wine and the ring, for if you dream the drink-dream you will be searched. Speak no word to me save of common matters.” In the passage beyond the curtain white-robed guards were standing, armed with spears, who turned and followed them without a word. First they went to the stables to visit the horses Flame and Smoke,' which whin- nied as they drew near. These were found to be well-fed and tended; indeed, a company of the grooms were gath- ered about them, discussing their points and beauty, who saluted as the owners of such steeds approached. Leaving the stable, they «passed through an archway into the famous gardens, which were said to be the most beautiful in all the East. Beau- tiful they were, indeed, for here grew trees, shrubs and flowers such as had never been seen, while between fern- clad rocks flowed sparkling rills which fell over deep cliffs in waterfalls of foam. In places the shade of cedars lay so dense that the light of day was changed to twilight, but in others the ground was open and carpeted with flowers which filled the air with heavy perfume. Everywhere grew roses, myrtles and trees laden with rich fruits, while from all sides came the sound of coolng doves and the voices of the bright-winged birds which flashed from palm to palm. On they walked down the sand- strewn paths for a mile or more, ac- companied by Masouda and the guard. At length, passing through a brake of whispering, reed-like plants, of a sud- den they came to a low wall, and saw yawning black and white at their very feet that vast cleft which they had crossed before they entered the castle. “It encircles the inner city, the fort- ress and {ts grounds,” said Masouda; “and who lives to-day that coula throw a bridge across it? Now, come back.” So, following the gulf round, they returned to the castle by another path, and were ushered into an anteroom, where stood a watch of twelve men. Here Masouda left them in the midst of the men, who stared at them with stony eyes. Presently she returned and becloned them to follow her. ‘Walking down a long passage they came to curtains, in front of which stood two sentries, who drew these curtains as they approached. Then, side by side, they entered a great hall, long as Stangate Abbey Church, anc passed through a number of people, all crouched upon the ground. Beyona them the hall narrowed as a chancel does. Here sat and stood more people, fierce-eved. turbaned men, who wore great knives in their™girdles. These, as they learned afterward, were called the fedal, the sworn assassins, who lived but to do the command of their lord the great Assassin At the end of this chancel were more curtains, be- yond which was a guarded door. It opened, and on its further side they found themselves in full sunlight on an unwalled terrace, surrounded by the mighty gu!f into which it was built out. .On the right and left edges of this terrace cat old and bearded men, twelve in number, their heads bowed humblv and their eyes fixed upon the ground, who were the dais or councilors. At the head of the terrace, under an open and beautifully carved pavilion of wood, stood gigantic seldiers, having the red dagger blazoned on their white robes. Between them was a black cushion, and on the cushion a black heap. At first, staring out of the sun- light at this heap in the shadow, the brethren wondered what it might be. Then they caught sight of the glitter of eyes, and kneav that the heap was a man who wore a black turban on his head and a black, bell-shaped robe clasped about his throat with a red Jjewel. The weight of the man had sunk him down deep into the soft cush- fon, so that there was nothing of him to be seen save the folds of the bell- shaped cloak, the red jewel and the head. He looked like a coiled-up snake; the dark and glittering eyes also were those of a snake. Of his features, in the deep shade of the canopy and of the wide black turban, they could see nothing. The aspect of this figure was so ter- rible and inhuman that the brethren trembled at the sight of him. They were men and he was a man, but be- tween that huddled beady-eyed heap and those two tall Western warriors, clad in their gleaming mail and colored cloaks, helm on brow, buckler on arm and long sword at side, the contrast ‘was that of life and death. CHAPTER XIIL The Lord of Death. Masouda ran forward and prostrated herself at full length, but Godwin and ‘Wulf stared at the heap, and the heap stared at them. Then, after some mo- tion of his chin, Masouda rose and said: “Strangers, you stand in the presence of the Master, glnan. Lord of Death. Kneel, and do homage to the Master.” But the brethren stiffened their backs and would not kneel. They lifted their hands to their brows in salute and no more. Then from between the black turban and the black cloak came a hollow voice, speaking in Arabic, and saying: “Are these the men who brought me the lion’s skin? . Well, what seek ye, Franks?"” They stood silent. “Dread lord,” said Masouda, “these knights are but now come from Eng- land ovef sea, and do not understand our _tongue.” “Set out their story and their re- quest,” said Al-Jebal, “that we may answered Masouda, “‘as 1 sent you word, they say they are the kin of a certain knight who in battle saved the life of him who ruled before you, but is now. an inhabitant of para- dise.” ] “I have heard that there was such a knight,” said the voice. “He was named d@’Arcy, and he bore the same cogniz- ance on his shield—the sign of the skull.” ‘Lord, these brethren are also named d'Arcy, and now they eome to ask your help against Salah-ed-din.” At that name the heap stirred as a snake stirs when it hears danger, and the head erected itself a little beneath the great turban. “What help and why?” asked the voice. ““Lord, - Salah-ed-din has . stolen a woman of their house who is his niece, and these knights, her brothers, ask you *o aid them to recover he; The beady eyes instantly became In- terested. “‘Report has been made to me of -that story,” said the voice; “but what sign do these Franks show? He who went before me gave a ring, and with it cer- tain rights in this land, to the knight d'Arcy who befriended him in danger. ‘Where is that ring, with which he part. ed in his foclishness “Our uncle, the knight Sir Andrew, was cut down by the soldiers of Salah- ed-din, and before he died bade us seek you out. What time had he to tell us <f anv ring?” The head sank upon the breast. “I hoped,” said Sinan to Masouda, *“that they had the ring, and it was for this reason, woman, that I allowed you to lead these knights hither, after you had reported of them and their quest to me from Beirut. It is not well that there should be two sacred signets in the world, and he who went before me, when he lay dying, charged me to re- cover his if that were possible. Let them go back to their own land and return to me with the ring, and I will help them.” ‘Masouda translated the last sentence only, and again the brethren shook their heads. This time it was Godwin who spoke. “Our land is far away, O lord, and Where shall we find this long-lost 7 ifj;hr‘mt our Julurney be in vain. Oh Yy one, give us justice against Sllnllxl-ed-din." ! “All my years have I sought justice on Salali-ed-din,” answered Blnln’. “‘and yet he prevalls against me. Go, Franks, and bring me his head and we will talke again.” When they heard this sayin, “Wh sald to Godwin in English: pis o I think that we had best go; I do not like this company.” But Godwin made no answer. As they stood silent thus, n - ing what to say, a man entere:tthmm:h the door, and, throwing himself on his hands and knees, crawled toward the cushion through the double line of councilors or dais. “Your report,” sald Sinan in Arable. “Lord,” answered the man, “I ac- quaint you that your will has been done in the matter of the vessel” Then he went on speaking in a low volce, so raplidly that the brethren could searce- Iy hear and much less understand him. Sinan listened, then sald: “Let the fedal enter and make his own report, bringing with him his prisoners.” Now one of the dais, he who sgt near< est the canopy, rose and, inting toward the brethien, said, “Touching these Franks, what is your will?"* The beady eyes, which seemed to search their souls, fixed themselves up- on them and for a long while Sinan considered. They ' trembled, knowing that he was passing some Judgment concerning them in his heart, and that on his next words much might hang— even their lives. “Let them stay here” he sald at {ingth. “I may have questions to ask em." For a time there was silence. Sinan, lord of death, seemed to be lost in thougiit under the black shadow of his canopy; the double line of dals stared at nothingness across the pas- sageway; the giant guards stood still as statues; Masouda watched the brethren from beneath her long eye- lashes, while the brethren watched the sharp edge of the shadow of the can- opy on the marble floor. They strove to seem unconcerned, but their hearts were beating fast within them who felt that great things were about to hap- pen, though what these might be they knew not. So intense was the silence, so dread- ful seemed that inhuman, snake-like man, so strange his aged, passionless councilors, and the place of council surrounded by a dizzy gulf, that fear took hold of them like the fear of an evil dream. Godwin wondered if Sinan could see the ring upon his breast, and Wwhat would happen to him if he did see it; while Wuif longed to shout aloud, to do something that would break this deadly, sunlit quiet. To them those minutes seemed like hours; ir deed, for aught they knew, they might have been hours. At length there was g stir behind the brethiren, and at a word from M: - da they scparated, falling apart a 1 e or two, and stood opposite f e.ch other and sideways to Sinan. ta.d- ing thus, they saw the curtair . dra-/n. ‘Through them came four men, carrying a stretcher covered with a cloth, be- neath which they could see the out- line of a form, that lay there stirless. The four men brought the stretcher to the front of the canopy,. set it on the graemd, prostrated themselves, and re- tired, walking backward down the length of the terrace. Again there was silence, while th# brethren wondered whose corpse it was that lay beneath the cloth, for a corpse it must surely be; though neither the lord of the mountain nor his dals and guards seemed to concern themselves in the matter. Again the curtains parted, and a procession advanced up the ter- race. First came a great man clad in a white robe blazoned with the bleed- ing dagger, after whom walked a tall woman shrouded in a long veil, who was followed by a thick-set knight clad in Frankish armor and wearing a cape of which the cowl covered his head as though to keep the rays of the sun from beating on his helm. Lastly walked four guards. Up the long place they marched through the double line of dais, while with a strange stii in their breaths the brethren watch the step and shape of the veiled wom- an who walked forward rapidly, mot seeing them, for she turned her head neither to the right nor left. The leader of the little band refiched the space before the canopy, and, prostrating himself by the side of the stretcher, lay still. She who walked behind him stopped also, and, seeing the black heap upon the cushion, shuddered. “Woman, unveil,” commanded the voice of Sinan. She hesitated, then swiftly undld some fastening, so that her drapery fell from her head. The brethren stared, rubbed their eyes, and stared again. Before them stood Rosamund! & Yes, it was Rosamund, worn with Lickness, terrors and travel, Rosamund herself beyond all doubt. At the sight of her pale, queenly beauty the heap on the cushion stirred beneath his black cloak, and the eyes were filled with an evil, eager light. Even the dais seemed to wake from their contemplation, and Masouda bit her red lip, turned pale beneath her olive skin, and watched with devouring eves, walting to read this woman’s heart “Rosamund!” cried the brethren with one voice. > z She heard. As they sprang toward her she glanced wildly from face to face, then with a low cry flung an armt about the neck of each and would have fallen in the ecstasy of her joy had they not held her. Indeed, her knees touched the ground. As they stooped to lift her it flashed into Godwin’s mind that Masouda had told Sinan that they were her brethren. The thought was followed by another. If this ‘were so; they might be left with her, whereas otherwise that black robed devil— “Listen,” he whispered in Englishj “‘we are not your cousins—we are yo brothers, your half-brothers, and know no Arabic.” L She heard and Wulf heard, but the watchers thought that they were but welcoming each other, for Wulf to talk also, random words in 3 such “Greeting, sister!"” found, sister!” and kissed her on forehead. . Rosamund orne? lherhernl. which had closed, and, gaining her feet, gave «me hand to each of the brethren. Then the voice ot Masuuds Wy heard in- terpreting e words of nan. i “It seems, lady, that you know these knights.” “I do—well. They are my brothers, from whom I was stolen when they were drugged and our father was killed.” “How is that, lady, seeing that you are said to be the niece of Salab-ed- din? ina