The San Francisco call., 1905-01-15
CHAPTER KIN.

Then she bowed and went
CHAPTER XII.
The Embassy.
The brethren and Rosamund hooked
At each other. for having 30 much to
say It seemed that they could not
speak. Then with a low cry Rosa
mund said:
>oh. let us thank God. who, after
al these black months Of travel and
Of danger. has thus brought US to-
gsthsr aSain," and kneeling down
there together in the guest hall Of the
lord Of death. they gave thanks ear
nestly enough.
Then. moving to the osnter Of the
chamber where they thought that
mono would hear them. they began to
speak In low voices and In English.
Tel your tale nrst Rosamunds"
said Goodwin.
She told It as shortly - she could,
they listening without q word.
Then Goodwin spoke and told her
theirs. Rosamund listened and asked
question almost in a whisper.
Why does that beautiful dark
eyed woman befrtsnd you7''
Z do not know" answered Goodwin,
unless 1t Is because Of the accident
Of my having saved her from the
lion."
Rosamund looked at him and
smiled little and wulf smiled also.
Then she said:
:" Blessings be on that lion and all
its tribei ! pray that she may not
soon forget the deed. for it.seems that
our lives hang upon her favor. How
strange IL this story and how desper-
ate our case! How strange also that
you should have come on hither
against her counsel, which, seeing
what we have, / think was honest"
I'VE were led" answered Goodwin.
Your father had wisdom at his
see."
Aye" added wuIf. but I would
that 1t had been in some other place,
for I fear this lord Al-JebaI at whose
nod men hurl themselves to death"
He is hateful" answered Rosa
mund. with @ shudder; worse even
than the Knight Lozelle; and when
he fixes his eyes on me my heart
grows sick. Ohl that we could escape
this placer
AN eel in an osier trap has more
chance of freedom" said Wulf gloom
ily. Let US at least be thankful that
We are, Gagged together-for how long,
/ wonder"
AS he spoke Masouda appeared, at
tended by waiting women and, bowing
to Rosamund, said:
1T 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-
rem then. You knights have leave, If
1t so pleases You, to exercise your
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, land with
them are guides and an escort"
She means that we must co. NUT
tered Goodwin, adding aloud. farewell,
sister, until tonight"
So they parted, unwillingly enough.
In the courtyard they found the horses.
Flame and Smoke, as they had been
told. also mounted escort of four
ferce-looking fedais and an officer.
When they were in the saddle this
man, motionfng to them to follow 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 1t were. an island on a noun
tain top with circumference of more
than three miles.
AS they went, the gulf always on
their right. holding In their horses to
prevent their passing that of their
guide. swift AS 1t was, they saw an
other troop approaching them. This
was also preceded by an officer of the
Assassins, as these servants of AL
Jebal were called by the Franks. and
E.Atr Ar~A M
coal-black steed and followed by
guards. rode a mail-clad Frankish
knight.
ut. is Lozelle." said wulf, upon the
horse that Sinan promised him."
At the sight of the man fury took
hold of Goodwin. With a shout of
warning he drew his sword. Lozelle
saw. and out leaped his blade in an
swer. Then sweeping past the officers
who were with them and refining up
their steeds, in second they were face
to face. Lozelle struck first and God
win caught the stroke upon his buck
Ter, but before he could return 1t the
fedais OF either party rushed between
them and thrust them asunder.
"A pity" said Goodwin, as they
dragged his horse away. Had they left
us alone think, brother. might have
saved you q moonlight duel"
That / do not want to miss, but the
chance at his head was good If those
fellows would have let you take IT,
answered Wulf refectively.
Then the horses began to gallon
again, and they saw no more of Lo-
zelle. Now, skirting the edge of the
town, they came to a narrow, wall
less bridge that spanned the gulf be-
tween 1t and the outer gate and city.
Here the officer wheeled his horse, and.
beckoning to them to follow. charged
1t at fun gallop. After him went the
brethren-Godwin first, then Wulf. In
the deep gateway on the further side
they refined up. The captain turned,
and began to gallop back faster than
he had come-as fast, indeed, as his
good beast would travel.
Pass him" cried Goodwin, and shak-
ing the reins loose upon the neck of
Flame called to 1t aloud.
Forward 1t sprang, with smoke at it's
heels. Now they had overtaken the
captain, and now even on that narrow
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