The San Francisco call., 1905-01-29

IN HE man was not very tall, and
slight OF build, yet about him
much mai ns,s.'y' ss "a. s,'hesss ssass.; his
might have worn. He came forward,
lifting his head, and they saw that his
features were small and finely cut; that
he was bearded, and beneath his broad
brow shone thoughtful yet at times
piercing eyes that were brown in hue
Now the Prince Hassan sank to his
knees and touched the marble with
his forehead, and, guessing that they
were in the presence Of the mighty
monarch Saladin, the brethren saluted
In their western fashion. Presently the
Sultan spoke III q low, even voice to
Hassan, to whom he motioncd that he
should rise, saying:
81 see that you trust these knights,
emir,'' and he pointed to their great
swords.
''Sile,' was the answer, Il trust
them as 1 trust myself. They are
brave and honorable men, although
they be infdcls."
Thc Sultan stroked his beard.
AYE he said 'lnfidels. 1t is
after their own fashion. Noble to look
on also, like their father, whom / re-
member well. and if all | hear is true,
brave indeed. Sir knights, do you un-
derstand my languaGeY'
"SuIticienty 10 speak 1t, lord, an
swerod Goowin, who have learned II
since childhood, yet i'll enough.
Good. 1nen tell ME, as soldiers to a
soldier, what do you seek from Salah-
ed-din?"
"Our cousin, the Lady Rosamund.
who by your command, lord. was stolen
from our home in England.
knights. she is your cousin, that |
know, as surely as / know that she is
my niece. Tell me now, is she aught
more to your and he searched them
with those piercing eyes.
Goodwin looked al Wulf, who said in
English:
From that man nothing can be MD.
Then Goodwin answered:
''Sire, we love her, and are affianced
to her.
The Sultan stared at them in sur
prise.
What, Both of you?" he asked.
'.Yes, both"
"And is the Princess. then, aftianced
to you both?''
- Eyes, to both"
"And does she love you both?"
Yes replied Goodwin, both, or SO
she says.
Saladin stroked his beard and con-
sidered them, while Hassan smiled
little.
':Then, knights" he said presently,
tell me, which of you does she love
sire, is known to her alone.
he time comes she will say, and
re-"
= ceive," said Saladin, that be-
=. is riddle hides story. If it be
cd pleasure. be seated and set
me-"
ey sat down on the divan and
keeping nothing back from the
Ilg to the end, nor, although the
long, did the Sultan weary Of
&.
eat story, truly" he said, when
4 they had finished, "and one in
seem to see the hand CT Allah.
hits, you will think that / have
you-aye, and your uncle, Sir
who was once my friend, al
IN Older man than /, and who,
Ing away my sister, laid the
)ns of this house of love and
woe, and perchance of happi-
: foreseen. Now listen. The tale
.ose two Frankish knaves the
49,. nd the false knight Lozelle, told
was true. AS / wrote to your
in my letter. / dreamed a dream.
e / dreamed 1t; that this niece of
g lived, and that if / could bring
r here to dwell at my side she should
save the shedding of much blood by
some noble deed of hers-aye, of the
blood Of tens Of thousands; and in that
dream / saw her face. Therefore 1
stretched out my arm and took her
from far away. And now. through you
yes, through you-she has been
snatched from the power of the Great
Assassin and is safe in my court, and
therefore henoeforth am your friend"
Sire. have you seen her?" asked
Goodwin
lace is the face of my dreams, and I
know that in those di cams God spoke.
Listen. Sir Goodwin and Sir Wulf,' SAL
adm went on in a changed voice, a
stern, comma nding voice Ask of me
what you will, and Franks though you
are, 1t shall be given you for your SER
vices sake-wealth, lands, titles. all
that men desire and | can grant-but
ask not of me my niece, Rose of the
: World, Princess of Baalbec, whom AL
lah has brought to me for his own pur-
poses Know, moreover, that If you
strive 10 steal her away you shall sure
ly die; and that If she escapes from ms
ana fecapture her, then she shall die.
These things | have told her already,
and s"ear them in the name of Allah.
Here she is, and in my house she must
I abide until the vision be fulfilled"
Nov in their dsmay the brethren
looked upon each other, for they SEEM
ed further from their desire than they
had been even in the castle of Sinan.
Then light broke upon the face of
sGodwin. and he stood UP and an
swered:
dread lord OF all the East, we hear
you and we know our risk You have
given us your friendship; we accept it
and are thankful, and seek no more.
God, you say, has brought our lady
Rosamund to you for his own pur-
poses. Then let his purposes be ac-
complished according to his will,
which may be in some way that we
little guess. We abide his judgment who
hak guided US in the past and will
guide us in the future"
s''WeIl spoken" replied Saladin. 'I
have warned you, my guests, there
fore blame me not if / keep my word;
but ask no promise from you who
would not tempt noble knights to lie.
Yes, Allah has set this strange riddle;
by Allah let 1t be answered in his sea-
son.
Then he waved his hand to show
that the audience was ended.