The San Francisco call., 1905-01-22

See. they are leading Rosamund
away, but Sinan remains, to speak
with you, doubtless, for Masouda
beckons.'
What shall we do?" asked wulf.
Make plan, brother, for my head
swims.''
Hear what he has to say. Then as
your horse is not wounded either, ride
souda bade us. There is no other
way. Pretend that you are somewhat
hurt
So. Goodwin leading. while the null
ttude roared a welcome to the con-
quering Wulf who had borne himself
so bravely for their pleasure, they
rode TO the mouth of the bridge and
halted in the little space before the
archway. There Al-Jebal spoke by
Masouda.
"A noble fray" he said. II did not
think that Franks could fight so well.
Say, Sir knight, will you feast with
me in my palace ?"
Il thank you. lord" answered Wulf,
but l must rest while my brother
tends my hurts" and he pointed to
blood upon his mail. Tomorrow, II
II pleases YOU"
Sinan stared at them and stroked
his beard, while they trembled. wait
ing for the word of fate.
1t came.
Good. So be it. Tomorrow wed
the lady Rose of Roses and you two
her brothers-shall give her to me,
as is fitting" and he sneered. Then
also you shall receive the reward of
valor-a great reward. I promise you."
While he spoke Goodwin, staring up
ward, had noted a little wandering
cloud floating across the moon. Slowly
- tl1a MA al
Now" he whispered, and bowling
to Al-Jebal.. they pushed their horses
through the open gate when the mob
closed in on them, thus for a little
while holding back the escort from
following on their heels. They spoke
to Flame and Smoke and the good
horses plunged onward side by side,
separating the crowd as the prows of
boats separate the water. In ten
PAGES it grew thin. in thirty it was be-
hind them, for all folk were gathered
about the archway where they could
see, and none beyond. Forward they
cantered till the broad road turned to
the left and in that faint light they
were hidden.
Away" said Goodwin, shaking his
reins.
Forward leaped the horses at speed
Again Goodwin turned, taking that road
which ran round the city wall and
through the gardens. leaving the
guest castle to the left, whereas their
escort followed that whereby they had
come, thinking that they were ahead
of them. Three minutes more and they
were in the lonely gardens, in which
that night no women wandered and
no neophytes dreamed in the pavilion:
''Wulf," said Goodwin, as they swept
forward. skimming the turf like swal-
lows, draw your sword and be ready.
Remember the secret cave may be
guarded, and, il so, We must kill or be
killed.
Wulf nodded, and the next instant
two long blades flashed in the moon
light, for the little cloud had passed
away. Within a hundred PAGES of them
rose the tall rock, but between 1t and
the mound were two mounted guards.
They heard the beating of horses
hoofs. and wheeling about. stared to
see two armed knights sweeping down
upon them like a whirlwind. They
called to them to stop. hesitating, then
rode forward a few PAGES. as though
wondering whether this were not a
vision.
In moment the brethren were on
them. The soldiers lifted their lances,
but ere thev could thrust the sword
of Goodwin had caught one between the
neck and shoulder and sunk to his
used as a spear. had pierced the 9TH
er through and through. so that those
men fell dead by the door of the
mound, never knowing who had slain
them.
The brethren pulled UP on their
brides and spoke to Flame and
Smoke, halting them within a score OF
yards.
Then they wheeled round and sprang
from their saddles. One of the dead
guards still held his horses reins, and
the other beast stood by snorting.
Gcdwin caught 1t before 1t stirred,
then. holding all four of them, threw
the key to Wulf and bade him unlock
the door. Soon it was done, although
he staggered at the task; then he held
the horses, while one by one, Goodwin
led them in, and that without trouble,
for the beasts thought that this was
but a cave-hewn stable of a kind to
which they were accustomed.
What of the dead men?" said Wulf.
They had best keep us company"
answered Goodwin; and, running out,
he carried in first one and then the
other.
Swift" he said. as he threw down
the second corpse. Shut the door.
] caught sight of horsemen riding
through the trees. Nay, the, saw
nothing"
So they locked the massive door and
waited in the dark. expecting every
moment to hear soldiers battering at
its timbers. But no sound came; the
searchers. If such they were, had
passed on to seek elsewhere.
Now while Wulf made shift to fas-
ten up the horses at the mouth of the
cave, Goodwin gathered stones as
large as he could lift, and piled them
up against the door, till they knew
that it would take many men an hour
or more to break through. For this
door was banded with iron and set
fast in the living rock.
CHAPTER XIV.