The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22

Copyright. 1904. by Mcclure. Phillips & Co.
~ o they went in silence, doing as
~ she bade them, and walked back
j through the gardens, that now
seemed empty enough, to the
stable entrance of the guest
house, where the guards admitted
them without question.
That night the brethren slept to-
gether in one bed, fearing that if they
lay separate they might be searched
In their sleep and not awake. Indeed,
1t seemed to them that. as before, they
heard footsteps and voices in the dark
ness
Next morning, when they had break
tasted, they loitered awhile, hoping to
win speech with Rosamund, or sight
of her, or at least that Masouda would
come to them: but they saw no Rosa
mund, end no Masouda came. At
length in officer appeared, and beck
oned to tf.m to follow him. So they
followed. and were led through the
halls ard passages to the terrace or
justice, where Siran, clad in his black
rooe. sat as before beneath the canopy
in the midst of the sunlit marble floor.
There. too, beside him, also beneath
the canopy and gorgeously appareled,
sat Rosamund. They strove to ad-
vance and speak with her, but guards
came between them. pointing out a
place where they must stand few
yards away. Only Wulf said in a
loud voice. in English:
."rell us, Rosamund is 1t well with
your" Lifting her pale face, she
smiled and nodded.
Then. at the bidding of Sinan, Ma
souda commanded them to be silent,
saying that it was not lawful for them
to speak to the Lord of the Mountain
or his Companion. unless they were
first hidden so to do. So. having
learned what they wished to know,
they We're silent.
Now some of the dais drew near the
canopy and consulted with their master
on what seemed TO be a great matter,
for their faces were troubled. Present
ly he gave an order, whereon they re-
sumed their seats and messengers left
the terrace. When they appeared
again, In their company were three
docking Saracens, who were ac-
comDanied by retinue of servants
and wore green turbans, showing that
they were descendants of the Prophet.
These men, who seemed weary with
long travel, marched up the terrace
with proud mien, not looking at the
dais or any one until they saw the
brethren standing side by side, at
whom they stared little. Next they
caught sight of Rosamund sitting in
the shadow of the canopy, and bowed
to her, but Of the Al-Jebal they took
no notice.
"Who are you, and your pleasure?
asked Sinan, after he had eyed them
awhile. II am the ruler Of this coun-
try. These are my minister's, and he
pointed to the dais, "and here is my
scepter." and he touched the biood-red
dagger broidered on his robe of black
Now that Sinan had declared him
self the embassy bowed to him courte-
ously enough. Then their spokesman
answered him.
That sceDter we know; it has been
seen afar. Twice already we have cut
down its bearers even in the tent OF
our master. Lord of Murder, we ac-
knowledge the emblem of murder and
we bow to you whose title Is the Great
Murderer. AS for our mission, it is
this: We are the ambassadors of Sa-
lah-ed-din, Commander Of the Faithful
Sultan of the East; In these papers
signed with our signet are our creden-
tia1s, II you will read them"
So" answered Sinan. Il have heard
Of that chief. What is his VIII with
me?"
This. Al-Jebal. A Frank in your
pay and q traitor has betrayed to you
a certain lady, niece of Salah- ed din
the Princess of BaaIbec, whose father
was a Franlxish noble named DARCY