The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 15, 1905, Page 4

nephews of Salah-ed-din?” “Nay,” answered Rosamund, “they are my father's sons of another wife.” The answer appeared to satisfy Sin- an, who fixed his eyes upon the pale beauty of Rosamund and asked no more questions. While he remained thus thinking, a noise arose at the end of the terrace, and the brethren, turning their heads, saw that the .thick-set knight was striving to thrust his way through the guards who stood by the curtains and barred his path with the shafts of their spears. Then it came into Godwin's mind that just before Rosamund unveiled he had seen this knight suddenly turn back and walk down the terrace. The lord Stnan looked up at the sound and made & sign. Thereon two of the dais sprang to their feet and ran to- ward the curtain, where they spoke with the knight, who turned and came back with them, though slowly, as one who is unwilling. Now his hood had fallen from his head, and Gedwin and Wulf stared at him as he ad for surely they knew those great shoul- ders, these round, black eyes, those thick and that heavy jowl, “Losellel It is Lozellel” sald God- Ruunu* 4 Lo~ “Aye" schoed el double traiten 0 Boe frut to the soldters ot Haradin. aads because would have none of his love, lord Sinan,” as Losslle next to drew with an Wulf heard, and, “Why do you dare to Frank in my presence?” “Because, lord,” answered Wulf, “he is & rogue who has brought all these troubles on our house. I challenge him to meet me in battle to the death.” to fury by blow. “Then, dog, why did you try to run away when you saw our faces?” asked ‘Wulf. Masouda held up her hand and be- gan to interpret, addressing Lozelle, and speaking in the first person as the “mouth” of Sinan. “I thank you for your service who have served me before, Your messen- ger came, a Frank whom I knew in old days. As you had arranged it should be, I sent one of my fedais with soldiers to kill the men of Salah-ed-din on the ship and capture this lady, who is his niece, all of which it been done. The bargain t messenger made was that the should be given over to you—" Here Godwin and Wulf ground their teeth and glared at him. “But these knights say that you stole her, their kinswoman, from them, and one of them has struck you and challenged you to single combat, which challenge you have accepted. I sane- tion the combat gladly, who have long desired to see two knights of the Franks fight in tourney according to their custom. I will set the course, and you shall be given the best horse in my kingdom; this knight shall ride his own. These are the conditions—the course shall be on the bridge between the inner and outer gates of the castle city, and the fight, which must be to the death, shall take place on the night of the full moon—that is, three days from now. If you are the victor we will talk of the matter of the lady for whom you bargained as a wife.” “My lord, my lord,” answered Lo- zelle, “who can lay a lance on that ter- rible place in moonlight? Is it thus that you keep faith with me?” “I can and willl” cried Wulf. “Dog, I would fight you in the gates of hell, with my soul on the hazard.” “Keep faith with yourself,” said Sinan, “who sald that you accepted the challenge of this knight and made no conditions, and when you have proved upon his body that his quarrel is not just,’then speak of my faith with you. Nay, no more words; when this fight is done we will speak again, and not before. Let him be led to the outer castle and there given of our best. Let my great black horse be brought to him that he may gallop it to and fro upon the bridge, or where he will within the circuit of the walls, by day or night; but see that he has no speech with this lady whom he has betrayed into my power, or with these knights his foes, nor suffer him to come into my presence. I will not talk with & man who has been struck in the face until he has washed away the blow in blood.” As Masouda finished translating, and before Lozelle could answer, the lord Sinan moved his head, whereon guards sprang forward and conducted Lozelle from the terrace. “Farewell, Sir Thiet,” cried Wulf after him, “t{ll we meet again upon the narrow bridge and there settle our ac- count. You have fought Godwin, per- haps you will have better luck with Wult.” Lozelle glared after him, and, find- ing no answer, went on his way. “Your report,” sald Sinan, addressin, the tall fedal who all this while ha lain upon his face before him, still as the form that was stretched upon the bier. ‘“There should have been another prisoner, the m{ BEmir Hassan. Also, ‘where 18 tI kish spy?” The fedal rose and spoke. “Lord,” he said, “I did your bidding. The knight who has gone steered the ship into the bay as had been ar- ranged. I attacked with the daylight. The soldiers of BSalah-ed-din fought bravely, for the lady here saw us, and gave them time to gather, and we lost many men. We overcame and killed them all, except the Prince Hassan, whom we took prisoner. I left some men to watch the ship. The crew we spared, as they were the servants of the Frank Logelle, setting them loose upon the beach, together with a Frank- ish woman, who was the servant of the lady here, to find their way to the nearest city. This woman I would have killed, but the lady your captive begged for her life, saying she had come from the land of the Franks to seek her husbandi so, having no or- ders, I let her go. Yesterday morning we started for Masyaf, the Prince Has- san riding In a litter together with that Frankish spy who was here a while ago, and told you of the coming of the ship. At night they slept in the same tent; I left the Prince bound and set a guard, but In the morning when we looked we found him gon w, 1 know not—and lying in the tent the Frankish soy, dead, with ‘a knife- wound through his heart. Behold!” and withdrawing the cloth from. the stretcher he revealed the stiff form of the spy Nicholas, who lay there dead, a look of terror frozen on his face. “At least this one has come to an end he Qdeserved,” muttered Wulf to Godwin. “So, haying searched without avall, I came on here with the lady your pris- oner and the Frank Logelle. I have spoken.” Now, when he had heard this report, forget: his calm, Sinan arose from the cushion and stepped forward two :le-. There he halted, with fury in is glittering eyes, looking like a man clothed in a black bell. For a moment he stroked his long and the brethren noted that on the first finger of his right hand was a ring so like to that which hung about the neck of Godwin that none could have told them apart, an,” Sinan ssid In a low volce, at have you done? You have left the Emir Hassan go, who is the most . THE VD). save that they must not leave my ‘walls except under sanction of the sig- net—nay, in its very presence.” The dals rose, bowed and seated themselves again. Then, ded by Masouda and preceded and followed by guards, the brethren Rosa- mund walked down the <terrace through the curtains into the chancel- like place where men crouched upon the ground; through the ante-cham- ber where, at a word from Masouda, the guards saluted; through passages to that place where they had slept. Here Masouda halted and sald: “Lady Rose of the World, who are fitly so named, I go to prepare your m.tdbtmucu‘:d g;“:z:-" o ":'ui‘x‘_"' Chlflhef. Doumleu you wmbwia‘:: to amas * BSpe: iese your—brothers. or pear it, and within six days We gpeak on and fear not. for it shall be sake, for by the body we found a purse of gold. That he hated them as he hated yonder Losells I know, for he called mm dogs and traitors in the boat; since he could mot strike them, his hands being bound, he spat on their faces, cursing them in the name of Allah. That is why, Lozelle being afraid to be near him, I set the spy Nicholas, who was & bold fellow, as a watch over and two soldiers outside the tent, while Losells and I watched the lady.” “Let those soldlers be brought,” sald Sinan, “and tell their story.” They were brought and stood by thelr captain, but they had no story to tell. They swore that they had not slept on guard, nor heard a sound, yet when morning came the Prince was gone. Again the lord of death stroked his black beard. Then he held up the signet before the eyes of the three men, saying: “You see the token. Go!” “Lord,” sald the fedal, “T have served you well for many years.” “Your service is ended. Go!" the stern answer. The fedal bowed his head in salute, stood for & moment though lost in thought, then, turning suddenly, walk- ed with a steady step to the edge of the abyss and leaped. For an instant the sunlight shone on his white and fluttering robe, then from the depths of that darksome place floated up the sound of a heavy fall, and all was still. “Follow your captain to Paradise,’ sald Binan to the two soldiers, where- on one of them drew a knife to stab himself, but & dal sprang up, saying: “‘Beast, would you shed blood before your lord? Do you not know the cus- tom? Begonel” So the poor men went, the first with a steady step, and the second, who was not so brave, reeling over the edge of the precipice as one might who is drunken. “It is finished,” said the dais, clap- ping their hands gently. ‘‘Dread lord, we thank thee for thy justice.” But Rosamund turned sick and faint, and even the brethren paled. This man were terrible indeed—if he were a man and not a devil—and they were in his power. How long would it be, they wondered, before they also were bid- den to walk that gulf? Only Wulf swore in his heart that if he went by this road Sinan should go with him. Then the corpse of the false palmer was borne away to be thrown to the eagles, which always hovered over that house of death, and Sinan, having re-' seated himself upon the cushion, be- gan to talk again through his “mouth” Masouda, In & low, quiet voice, as though nothing had happened to an- ger him. “Lady,” he said to Rosamund, “your tory is known to me. Salal seeks you, nor is it wonderful’ his eyes glittered with a new and hor- rible light—"“that he should desire to see such loveliness at his court, al- though the Frank Lozelle swore through yonder dead spy that you are precious in his eyes because of some vision that has come to him. Well, this heretic Sultan is my enemy, whom Satan protects, for even my fedals have failed to kill him, ‘and perhaps there will be war on account of you. But have no fear, for the price at which you shall be deliyered to him is higher than Salah-ed-din himself would care to pay, even for you. So, since this castle is impregnable, here you may dwell in peace, nor shall any de- sire be denied you. Speak, and your wishes are fulfilied.” “I desire,” sald Rosamund in a low, steady voice, “protection against Sir Hugh Logelle and all men.” It s yours. The Lord of the Moun- taln covers you with his own mantle.” “I desire,” she went on, “that my brothers here may lodge with me, that I may not feel alone among strange people.” He thought awhile, and answered: “Your brethren shall lodge near you was in the guest ‘Why not¢ since from them mmflat need protec- v.log!l 'l'tlny meet you at the feast and in garden. But, lady, do you know it? *They came here upon h,svth of some old tale of & promise made by ‘& him who went before to ask my help to recover you from -ed-din, unwitting that I was your host, not Salah-ed-din. That they should meet you thus i8 a chance which even my wisdom wonder, for in it I d to rescue from Salah-ed-din, these tall brethren of yours ht wish to rescue from Al-Jebal nflm then, all of you, that from the of Death there {s but one escape. Yon- der runs its path,” and he pointed to the dizzy place whence his three ser- my care that you are left alone, if only for a little while. Yet walls have ears, so I counsel you use that Eng- lish tengue which none of us under- stand in the land of Al-Jebal—not Pad flm‘ she dowed and went. CHAPTER XIIL The Embassy. The brethren and Rosamund looked each other, for having so much to it seemed that they oould not speak. Then with a low cry Rosa- mund sald: “Ob, let us thank God, who, after black months of travel and ‘danger, has thus brought us to- again,” and kneeling down there together in the guest hall of the lord of death, they gave thanks ear- neetly enough. ving to the center of the none would hear them, they began to speak in low voices and in English, “Tell your tale first, Rosamund” Godwin. Shae told it as shortly as she co they listening without a word. b en Godwin spoke and told her theirs. Rosamund listened and asked & question almost in a whisper. y does that beautiful dark- eyed woman befriend you?”’ “1 do not know,” answered Godwin, “unless it is because of the accident ;:lf my having saved her from the on.” Rosamund looked at him and smiled a little and Wulf smiled also. Theg she said: “Blessings be on that lion and all its tribel I pray that she may not soon forget the deed, for it.seems that our lives hang upon her favor. How strange is this story and how desper- ate our casel How strange also that you should have come on - hither against her counsel, which, seeing what we have, I think was honest.” “We were led,” answered Godwin. “Your father had wisdom at his :.e:g'h and saw what we could ‘not “Aye,” added Wulf, “but I would that it had been in some other place, for I fear this lord Al-Jebal at whose ned men hurl themselves to death.” “He is hateful,” answered Rosa- mund, with a shudder; ‘“‘worse even than the Knight Logzelle; andfwhen he fixes his eyes on me my heart. grows sick. Oh! that we coul -esca this placel” 7 2 “An eel in an osler trap has more chance of freedom,” sald Wult gloom- ily. “Let us at least be thankful that We afe caged together—for+how long, I wonder.” ¢ As he spoke Masouda appeared, at- tended by waiting women and, bowing to Rosamund, said: “It is the will of the master, lady, that I lead you to the chambers that have been made ready for you, there to rest until the hour of the feast. Fear not; you shall meet your breth- ren then. You knights have leave, if it so pleases you, horses in the garden. They stand saddled in the courtyard, to which this woman will bring you,” and she pointed to one of those two maids who had cleaned the armor, “and with them are guides and an escort.” ‘She means that we must go,” mut- tered Godwin, adding aloud, “farewell, sister, until to-night.” So they parted, unwillingly enough. In the courtyard they found the horses, Flame and Smoke, as they had been told, also a mounted escort of four flerce-looking fedais and an officer. When they were in the saddle this man, motioning to them to folloy him, passed by an archway out of the court- yard into the gardens. Hence ran a broad road strewn with sand, along which he began to gallop. This road followed the gulf which encircled the citadel and inner town of Masyaf, that ‘was, as it were, an island on a moun- tain top with a circumference of more th:n t";m miles. . s they went, the gulf always on their right, holding in their horZel to prevent their passing that of their gulde, swift as it was, they saw an- other trodd ‘approaching them. This was also preceded by an officer of the Assagsins, as these servants of Al- Jebal wers called by the Franks, and behind him, mounted on a splendid coal-black steed and followed by {:l‘;:t..' rode a mall-clad Frankish “It.18 Lozelle,” said Wulf, “upon the horse that Sinan promised him.p" At the sight.of the man a fury took hold of Godwin. With a shout of warning he drew his sword. Lozelle w, and out leaped his blade in an- er, sweeping past the officers who were with them and reining up thelr steeds, in a 'second they were face to face. Logelle struck first and God- win caught the stroke upon his buck- ler, but before he could return it the fedais of either party rushed between them and thrust them asunder. “A pity,” sald Godwin, as they ragged his horse away. “Had they left as alone I think, brother, I might have saved you a moonlight duel.” “That I do not want to miss, but the chance at his head was good if those fellpows would have let you: take it,” afisWered Wulf reflectively. Then the horses began to gallop and they saw no more, of Lo- zelle. Now, skirting the edge of the town, they came to a narrow, wall- less that spanned the gulf be- tween it and the outer gate and city. Here the officer ‘wheeled his horse, and, to them to follow, charged it at op. After him went the brethren: lwin first, then Wulf. In the deep gateway on the further side they reined up. The captain turned, and began to gallop back faster than he had’ come—as fast, indeed, as his uld travel. g00d ~beast wor “Pass him!” cried Godwin, and shak- ing the reins loose upon the neck of Flame “called to it aloud. Forward it sprang, with smoke at its heels,” Now they had overtaken the captain, and now even on that narrow CAY AR XN XA Y & LG AN K25 WV 1Y) to exercise your' SAN FRANCISCO SUNDAY CALL. PS50 Y \ 4 way they had swept past him. Not an inch was there to spare between them and the abyss, and the man, brave as he was, expecting to be thrust to death, clung to his horse’s mane with terror in his eyes. On the city side the brethren pulled up laughing among the astonished fedals who had waited for them there. “By the Signet,” cried the officer, thinking that the khights could not un- derstand, “these are not men; they are devils, and their horses are goats of the mountalns. I thought to frighten them, but it's I who was frightened, for ulne{ swept past me like eagles of the alr,’ “Gallant riders and swift, well trained steeds,” answered one of the fedal with admiration in his voice. “The fight at the full moon will be worth our seeing.” Then once more they took the sand- strewn road and galloped on. Thrice they passed round the city thus, the last time z themselves, for the ca and the fedal were far outstripped. In- deed it was not until they had unsad- dled Flame and Smoke in their stalls that these appeared, lpnrnng thelr foaming horses. Taking no heed of them, the brethren thrust aside the groom, dressed their steeds down, fed and watered them. Then having them eat, there being no more to do, they walked back to the guest house, hoping to find Rosamund. But thev !vnn? no Rosamn 80 sat down together and talked of the won- derful things that had befallen them, and of what might befall them in the future; of the mercy of Heaven also which had brought them all three to- gether safe and sound, although it was in this house of hell. BSo the time passed on, till about the hour of sun- Eet the women servants came and led em to the bath, where the black slaves washed and perfumed them, clothing them in fresh robes above their armor. ‘When they cams out the sun was down, and ‘women, bearing torches in their hands, conducted them to a great and gorgeous hall which they had not seen before, built of stone but with a carved and painted roof. Along one side of this hall, that was lit with cressets, were a number of round- headed open arches supported by ele- gant columns, and beyond them a mar- ble terrace with flights of steps which led to the gardens beneath. On the floor of this hall, each seated upon his cushion beside low tables inlaid with pearl sat the guests, a hundred or more, all dressed in white robes on which the red dagger was blazoned, and all as silent as though they were asleep. ‘When the brethren reached the place the women left them, and servants with gold chains round their necks escorted them to a dais in the middle of the hall where there were many cushions, as yet unoccupied, arranged in a semi- circle, of which the center was a divan higher and more gorgeous than the rest. Here places were pointed out to them opposite the divan, and they took their stand by them. They had not long to ‘walt, for ynsenuz there was a sound of musie, and, Méralded by troops of singing _women, the lord Sinan ap- walking slowly down the the It was a 3 sion, for after the wom- en the aged, white robed dats, then the lord Al-Jebal himself, clad now in’ -red, festal robe, and wear- 1n&fif urban. © pacpiea Yind Slgonid e anves flaming torch on high, while behind followed the two gigantic guards who had stood sentry over him when he sat under the canopy of justice. As he ad- vanced down- the hall every man in it rose and prostrated himself, and so remained untll their lord was seated, save only the two brethren, who stood ‘erect like the survivors among the slain of a battle, Settling himseif among the cushions at one end of the divan, he waved his hand, whereon the feasters, and with them Godwin and Wulf, sat themselves down. Now there was a pause, while Sinan glanced along the hall impatiently. Soon the brethren saw why, since at the end opposite to that by which he had enteréd appeared more singing women, and after them, also escorted by four black torch-bearers, only these were women, walked Rosamund, and, behind her, Masouda. Rosamund it was without doubt, but Rosamund transformed, for now she seemed an Eastern queen. Round her head was a coronet of gems from which hung a veil, but not so as to hide her face. Jeweled, too, were her heavy plaits of hair, jeweled the rose-silk garments that she wore, the girdle at her walist, her naked, ivory arms and even the slippers on her reet. As she approached in her royal-looking beauty all the guests at that strange feast stared first at her and next at each other. Then as though by a single im- rulse they rose and bowed. “What can this mean?”’ muttered Wulf to Godwin as they did likewise. But Godwin made no answer. On came Rosamund, and now, be- hold! the lord Al-Jebal rose also and, giving her his hand, seated her by him on the divan. “Show no surprise, Wulf,” muttered Gedwin, who had caught a warning look {n the eyes of Masouda as she took up her position behind Rosamund. Now the feast began. Slaves runai to and fro, set dish after dish fill with strange and savory meats, upon the little inlaid tables, those that were served to Sinan and his guests fash- foned, all of them, of silver or of gold. Godwin and Wulf ate, though not for hunger’s sake, but of what they ate they remembered nothing. who were watching Sinan “and. straining.their ears to catch all he said without seem- ing to take note or listen. Although she strove to hide it and to appear in- different, it was plain to them that Rosamund was much arraid. - Again and again Sinan presented to her choice morsels of food, sometimes on the dishes and sometimes with his fingers, and these she was obliged to take. Al the while also he devoured her with kis flerce eyes so that she shrank away from him to the furthest limit of the divan. Then wine, perfumed and spiced, was brought in golden cups, of Which, having drunk, he offered to Rosa- mund. But she shook her head and asked Masouda for water, saying that she touched nothing stronger, and it was given her, cooled with snow. The brethren asked for’ water dlso, where- on Sinan looked at them Suspiciously and nanded the reason. Godwin re- plied through Masouda that they were under oath to touch no wine till they returned to their own country, having fulfilled their mission. To this he an- swered mean| that it was good and right to keep ohths, but he feared that theirs would make them water- ptain he patted her on the drinkers for the rest of tnerr lives, a saying at which their hearts sank. Now the wine that he had drunk took hold of Sinan and he began to talk, who without it was so silent. i “You met the Frank Lozelle to-day, he sald to Godwin, “when ;1:;% J: my gardens, and drew your lnfn. “Why did you not kill him? Is he the better man?” “It seems not, as I sit here unhurt, lord,” answered Godwin. “Your ser- vants thrust between and separated us.” “Aye,” replied Sinan, “I remember; they had orders. Still, I would that yot had killed him, the unbelieving dog, who has dared to lift his eyes to this Rose of Roses, your sister. Fear not,” he went on, addressing Rosa- mund, “he shall offer you no more in- sult, who are henceforth under the protection of the signet,” and stretch- ing out his thin, cruel-looking hand, on which gleamed the ring of power, arm. All of these things Masouda trans- lated, while Rosamund dropped her head to hide her face, though on it were not the blushes that he thought, but loathing and alarm. ‘Wulf glared at the Al-Jebal, whose head by good fortune was turned away, and so flerce was the rage swelling in his heart that a mist seemed to gather before his eyes, and through it this devilish chief of a peo- ple of murderers, clothed ‘in his robe of flaming red, looked like a man steeped in blood. The thought came to him suddenly that he would make him what he looked and his hand passed to his sword hilt. But Godwin saw the terror in Masouda's eyes, saw ‘Wulf’s hand also and guessed what was about to chance. With a swift movement of his arm he struck a golden dish from e table to the marble floor, then said in a clear voice in French: “Brother, be not so awkward; pick up that dish and answer the lord Si- nan as is your right—I mean touching the matter of Lozelle.” ‘Wulf stooped to obey and his mind cleared which had been so near to madness. “I wish it not, lord,” he sald, *who, if I can, have your good leave to slay this fellow on the third night from now, If I fail, then let my }:rother take my place, but not be- cre.” “Yes, I forgot, sald Sinan. “So I decreed, and that will be a fight I wish to see. If he kills you, then your brother shall meet him. And if he kills you both, then, perhaps I, Sinan, will meet him—in my own fashion. Sweet lady, knowing where the course is laid, say, do you fear to see this fray 7" Rosamund's face paled, but she an- swered proudly: “Why should I fear what my brethren do not fear? They are brave knights, bred te arms, and God, In whose hand are all our destinies— even yours, O Lord of Death—he will guard the right.” When this speech was translated to him Sinan qualled a little, then he an- swered: “Lady, know that I'am the voice and prophet of Allah—aye, and his lw}fi,rd to punish evildoers and those Wi do not belleve. Well, if what I headr is true, your brethren are skilled horsemen, who even dared to pass my servant on the narrow bridge, so vic- tory may rest with them. Tell me ‘which of them do you love best, for he lhg first face the sword of Lozelle.” | jow as she prepared herself to an- swer . Masouda scanned her face through her half-closed eyes. But, whatever she may have felt within, it remained calm and cold as though it were.cut in stone. “To me they are as one man,” she said. ““When one speaks, both speak. I love them equally.” “Then, guest of my heart, it shall g0 as I have saild. Brother Blue Eyes shall fight first, and if he falls then brother Gray Eyes. The feast is end- ed, and it is my hour for prayer. Slaves, bid the people fill their cups. Lady, I pray of you, stand forward on the dais.” She obeyed, and at a sign the black slave women gathered behind her with their flaming torches. Then Sinan rose also and cried with a loud voice: “Servants of ; Al-Jebal, pledge, I com- mand you, this flower of flowers, the high-born Princess of Baalbec, the niece of the Sultan, Salah-ed-din, whom men call the Great,” and he sneered, “‘though he be not so great as I; this queen of maids who soon—" And checking himself he drank off his wine, then with-a low bow pfesented the emgty Jeweled cup to Rosagnund. All the company drank also and shouted till the hall rang, for her love- liness as she stood thus in the fierce light of the torches, aflame as these men were with the vision-breeding wine of Al-Jebal, moved them to mad- ness. “Queen! Queen!” they shouted. “Queen of our master and of us alll” Sinan heard and smiled. Then, mo- tioning for silence, he took the hand of Rosamund and kissed it, and turning passed from the hall, preceded by his singing women and surrounded by his dais and guards. Godwin and Wulf stepped forward to speak with Rosamund, but Masouda interposed herself between them, say- ing in a cold, clear voice: + “It is not:permitted. Go, knights, ,and cool your brows in yonderigarden, ‘where sweet water runs. Your sister is in charge. Fear not, for she is guarded.” “Come,” sald Godwin to Wulf; “we had best obey.” So together they walked through the crowd of those feasters that remained, for most of them had already left the Hall, who made way, not without rev- .erence, for the brethren of this new star of beauty on to the terrace and from the terrace into the gardens. Here they stood awhile In the sweet fresh- ness of the . night, which was very grateful after the heated, perfume- Taden air of the banquet; then began to wander up and down among the scented trees and flowers. The. moon, floating In a cloudless sky, was almost at its full, and by her light they saw a wondrous scene. Under many of the trees and in tents set about here and there rugs were spread, and to them came men who had drunk of the wine of the feast and cast themselves down to sleep. s “Are they drunk?" asked Wulf. “It would seem so,” answered God- win. \ Yet these men appeared to be mad rather than drunk, for they walked steadily emough, but with wide-set, dreamy eyes; nor did they seem to sleep upon thi but lay there star- ing'at the sky and muttering with their lips, their faces steeped in a btrange, unholy rapture. Sometimes they would rise and walk a few paces with out- stretched arms, till the arms closed ¥ NS e .o Fo v, .clent people reared over the bodies of as though they clasped something in- visible, to which they bent their heads to babble awhile. Then they walked back to their rugs again, where they remained silent. \ As they lay thus, white-veiled women appeared, who crouched by the heads of these sleepers, murmuring into their ears, and when from time to time they sat up, gave them to drink from cups they carried, affer partak- ing of which th luy downm again and became quite sénseless. Then the women would move on to others and serve them likewise. Some of them approached the brethren with a slow, gliding motion, and offered them the cup; but they walked forward, taking no notl whereupon the girls left them, laughing softly, and saying such things as “To-morrow we shall meet,” or “Soon you will be glad to drink and enter into paradise.” “When the time comes doubtless we shall be glad—who have dwelt here,” answered Godwin gravely, but as he spoke in French they did not under- stand him. “Step out, brother,” sald Wulf, *“for at the very sight of those rugs I grow sleepy, and the wine in the cups spar- kles as bright as their bearers’ eyes.” Bo they walked on toward the sound of a waterfall, and, when they came to it, drank, and bathed their faces and heads. “This is better than their wine,” said ‘Wulf. Then, catching sight more women flitting round them, looking like ghosts amid the moonlit glades, they pressed forward till they reached an open sward where there Wers no rugs, and no oup-bearers. )" sald Wulf, halting, “tell me what does all this mean?" “Are you deaf and blind?" asked Godwin. “Cannot you see that yonder flend is In love with Rosamund, and ane;m to take her, as he well may 07" ‘Wulf groaned aloud, then answered: “I swear that first I will send his soul to hell, even though our own must keep it company.” “Aye,” answered -Godwin, “I saw; you went near to it to-night. But re- member, that i{s the end for all of us. Let us walt then to strike until we must—to save her from worse things.” “Who knows that we may find an- other chance?. Meanwhile, mean- while—" and again he groaned. “Among those ornaments that hung about the waist of Rosamund I saw a Jeweled knife,” answered Godwin, sad- ly. “She can be trusted to use it if need be, and after that we can be trust- ed to do our worst. At least, I think that we should die in a fashion that -hlould be remembered in this moun- tain.” As they spoke they had.loitered to- ward the edge of the glade, and halting there stood silent, till presently from shadow of a cedar tree ap- litary white-robed woman. be going,” sald Wulf. “Here of them with her accursed could turn the wom- em and suddenly un- cup.” But before the; an glided up to velled. It was Masouda. “Follow me, brothers ' Peter and John,” she said in a laughing whisper. “I have words to say to you. What! you will not drink? Well, it is wisest.” and emptying the cup upon the ground she flitted ahead of them. Silently as a wralth she went, now appearing in the open spaces, now van- ishing beneath the dense gloom of ce- dar boughs, till she reached a naked, lonely rock which stdod almost upon the edge of the gulf. Opposite to this rock was a great mound, such as an- their dead, and in the mound, cunning- ly hidden by growing shrubs, a massive door. Masouda took a key from her girdle, and having looked around to see that they were alone, unlocked it. “Enter,” she sald, pushing them be- fore her. Then, taking each of them by the hand, she went forward along a smooth incline, till presently they saw the moonlight and by it discovered that they stood at the mouth of a cave which was fringed with bushes. Run- ning up from the depths of the gulf be- low to this opening was a ridge or shoulder of rock, very steep and nar- TowW. “The only road that leads from the citadel of Masyaf save that across the bridge,” sald Masouda. “A bad one,” answered Wulf, staring downward. “Aye, yet horses trained to rocks can follow it. At the foot is the bot- tom of the gulf, and & mile or more away to the left a deep cleft which leads to the top of the mountain and to freedom. WIll you not take it now? By to-morrow’s dawn you might be far away. “And where would the lady Rosa- mund be?” asked Wulf. “In the harem of the lord Sinan— that is, very soon,” she answered, coolly. ‘“What, then, will avail, Masouda?” asked Godwin, in a sad voice. “To promise you money would be useless, even if we could.” “I am glad_that you spared me that insult,” she replied with flashing eyes, “for then there had been an end. Yet,” she added more humbly, ‘“seelng my home and business, and what I appear to be,” and she glanced at her dress and the empty cup In her hand, “it had not been strange. Now hear me, and forget no word. At present you are in favor with Sinan, who belleves you to be the brothers of the Lady Rosamund, not her lovers; buf* from the moment he learns the truth your doom is sealed. Now what the Frank Lozelle knows, that Sinan may know at. any time—and will know, if these should meet. “Meanwhile, you are free; so to- morrow, while vou ride about the gar- den, as you will do, take note of the tall rock that stands without, and how to reach it from any point, even in the dark. To-morrow, also, when the moon is up, they will take you to the nar- row bridge, to ride your horses to and fro there, that they may learn not to fear it in that light. When you have stabled them go into the gardens and come hither unobserved, as the place being so far away you can do. The guards will let you pass, thinking only that you desire to drink a cup of wine with some fair friend, as is the custom of our guests. Enter this cave —heré is the key,” and she handed it to Wulf, “and if 1 me. Then I will tfll you my plan, if I have any, but 1 then I must scheme and think, flow it grows late not there, await —go." “And vou, Ma " sald Godwin, doubtfully; “how will youtescape this place?’ “By a road you do not know of, for I am mistress of the secrets of this city. Still, I thank you for your thought of me. Go, I say, and"lock the door behind you.” [Continued Next Sunday.]