The San Francisco call., 1905-01-29


story"
But Rosamund had little to tell, ex-
cept that she had been well treated and
always kept by the person OF the Sui
tan, marching to and fro with his army,
for he waited the fulfillment of his
dream concerning her. Then they told
her all that had chanced to them; also
of the vision of Goodwin and it's dread
full accomplishment and of the death of
Hassan beneath the sword of Wulf At
that story Rosamund wept and shrank
from him a little, for though 1t was
this Prince who had stolen her from
her home, she loved Hassan. Yet when
Wulf said hunbly:
"The fault Is not mine; 1t was so
fated. Would that I had died instead
Of this Saracen!" she answered: mo,
no; I am proud that you should have
conquered"
But Wulf shook his head and said:
"I am not proud. Although weary
with that awful battle, 1 am still the
younger and stronger man, though at
first he we'll nigh mastered me by his
skill and quickness. At least, we part
ed friends. Look, he gave me this"
and lie showed her the great emerald
badge which the dying Prince had
given him.
Masouda, who all this while had sat
very quiet, came forward and looked
at 1t.
"Do you know" she asked, "that
this jewel Is very famous, not only
for its value. but because 1t Is said to
have belonged to one Of the children
of the prophet and to bring good for
tune o.its owner?"
Wulf smiled.
"It brought little to poor Hassan
but now when my grandsire's sword
shore the Damascus steel as though
1t were wet clay
And sent him swift to Paradise,
where he would be. at the hands of
a gallant foe." answered Masouda
May, all his life this emir was happy
and beloved by his sovereign, his
wives, his fellows and his servants,
nor do think that he would have de-
sired another end whose wish was to
die IN battle with the Franks. At least
there is scarce a soldier in the Sui
tan's army who would not give all he
had for yonder trinket, which is
known throughout the land as the
Star of Hassan. So beware. Sir Wulf,
though you have eaten the salt of
Salah- ed-din."
Il remember the captain Abdullah
looking at 1t greedily and lamentins
that the Luck of the House Of Hassan
would pass to an unbeliever," said
Wulf. We'll, enough of this trinket
and its dangers; 1 think that Goodwin
has words to say"
Yes" said Goodwin. I'VE are here
in your tent through the kindness of
Saladin, who did not wish us to wit
ness the death of our comrades, but
tomorrow we shall be separated
again. Now if yoL are to escape"
L will escape! l must escape, even
if I am recaotured and die for it.,
broke in Rosamund passionately.
Speak low," said Masouda. Il saw
the eunuch Mesrour pass the door of
the tent, and he is spy-they are all
spies"
IF you are to escape" repeated God
win in a whisper, lit must be within
the next few weeks, while the army is
on the march. The risk is great to call
of us-even to you, and we have no
plan. But, Masouda, you are clever;
u make one4and tell it to u.s."
She lifted her head to speak when
suddenly a shadow fell upon them. 1t
was that of the head eunuch, MesrVur,
a fat, cunning-fa man, with cring-
ing air. Low he bowed before them,
saying:
Your pardon, o Princess. A mes
senger has come from Salah-ed-din
demanding the presence of these
knights at the banquet that he has
made ready for his noble prisoners.
I'VE obey said Goodwin, and rising
they bowed to Rosamund and to Ma
SCUBA, then turned to go, leaving the
star jewel where they had been seated.
Very skillfully Mesrour covered it
with q fold of his robe, and under shell
ter Of the fold slipped down his hand
and grasped it,, not knowing that al
though she seemed to be turned away
Masouda was watching him out of the
corner of her eye. Waiting till the
brethren reached the tent door, she
called out:
"Sir Wulf, are you already weary of
the. enchanted Star of Fortune, or
would you bequeath 1t to us?"
Now Wulf came back, saying heav-
lily:
IT forgot the thing-who would not at
such a time? Where is it? left it on
the cushion
"Try the hand of Mesrour" said Ma
SCUBA, whereat with very crooked
smile the eunuch produced it and said:
II wished to show you, Sir Knight,
that you must be careful with such
gems as these. especially in a camp
where there are so many dishonest per-
sons"
II thank you, answered Wulf as
he took it; ''yor have shown me-"
Then, followed by the sound of Ma
souda's mocking laughter, they left
the tent
The Sultan's messenger led them
forward, across ground strewn with
the bodies of the murdered Templars
and Hospitalers, lying as Goodwin had
seen them in his dream on the noun
tain top near Nazareth. Over one of
these corpses Goodwin stumbled in the
gloom, SO heavily that he fell to his
knees. He searched the face in the
starlight, to find it was that of a
knight of the Hospitalers of whom he
had made a friend at Jerusalem
very good and gentle Frenchman, who
had abandoned high station and large
lands to join the order for the love
of Christ and charity. Such was his
reward on earth-to be struck down
in cold blood. like an OK by its butch
er. Then, muttering prayer for the
rose and, filed with horror, followed
on to the royal pavilion, wondering
why such things were.
OF all the strange feasts that they
ever ate the brethren found this the
strangest and the most sad Saladin
was seated at the head of the table
with guards and officers standing be-
hind him and as each dish was
brought he tasted it and no more. to
show that it was not poisoned. Not
far from him sat the King of Jerusa-
lem and his brother and all down the
board great captive mobiles to the
number of fifty. or more.
Sorry spectacles were these gallant
knights in their heWfl and hIood