The San Francisco call., 1905-01-15

10 DdDUl6 dWullc. 1ACh lhSy
back to their rugs again, where they
AS they lay thus, white-veiled
women appeared, who crouched by the
heads of these sleepers. murmuring into
their ears, and when from time TO
time they sat up, gave them to drink
from cups they carried, after partak-
ing of which they lay down again
and became quite senseless. Then the
women would move on to others and
serve them likewise. Some OF them
approached the brethren with a slow.
gliding motion, and offered them the
cup; but they walked forward, taking
no notice, whereupon the girls left
them, laughing softly, and saying such
things as Tomorrow we shall meet,
or "Soon you will be glad to drink
and enter into paradise
when the time comes doubtless we
shall be giad-who have dwelt here"
answered Goodwin gravely. but as he
spoke In French they did not under
stand him.
step out, brother" said wulf, "for
at the very sight OF those rugs grow
sleepy, and the wine In the cups spar
kles as bright as their bearers eyes. =
So they walked on toward the sound
of a waterfall, and, when they came
to 1t. drank. and bathed their faces and
heads.
This Is better than their wine,- said
wulf. Then, catching sight Of more
women fitting round them, looking like
ghosts amid the moonnt glades. they
pressed forward till they reached an
open sward where there were no rugs.
Now" said Wulf. halting, tell me
what does all this meant"
Are you deaf and blind?" asked
Goodwin. Cannot you see that yondsr
fiend Is In love with Rosamund. and
means to take her, az he well may
DOT"
Wulf groaned aloud. then answered:
II swear that first will send his
soul to hell. even though our own must
keep 1t company"
Aye" answered Goodwin, IT saw;
you went near to 1t tonight. But re-
member, that Is the end for all OF US.
Let US wait then to strike until we
must-to save her from worse things"
Who knows that we may find an
other chance7. Meanwhile, mean
while" and again he groaned.
Among those ornaments that hung
about the waist OF Rosamund / saw a
jeweled knife" answered Goodwin, sad
ly. She can be trusted to use 1t If
need be, and after that we can be trust
ed to do our worst. At least, / think
that we should die in a fashion that
should be remembered in this noun
tain"
AS they spoke they had sloitered to-
ward the edge Of the glade. and halting
there stood silent, till presently from
under the shadow of cedar tree ap-
peared solitary white-robed woman.
Let US be going" said Wulf. Here
is another Of them with her accursed
cup"
But before they could turn the wom-
an glided up to them and suddenly un-
yelled. It was Masouda-
Follow me, brothers Peter and
john" she said In laughing whisper.
"I have words to say to you. What
you will not drinkf Well. It is wisest."
and emptying the cup upon the ground
she fitted ahead Of them.
Silently as wrath she went, now
appearing In the open spaces now van
ishing beneath the dense gloom Of ce-
dar boughs, till she reached a naked,
lonely rock which stood almost upon
rock was great mound, such as an
cient people reared over the bodies Of
their dead, and in the mound, cunning
ly hidden by growing shrubs. q massive
door. Masouda took a key from her
girdle, and having looked around to see
that they were alone, unlocked 1t.
Enter" she said, pushing them be-
fore her.
Then, taking each of them by the
hand, she went forward along smooth
incline, till presently they saw the
moonlight and by 1t discovered that
they stood at the mouth Of a cave
which was fringed with bushes. Run
ming up from the depths Of the gulf be-
low to this opening was ridge or
shoulder Of rock. very steep and mar
row.
'The only road that leads from the
citadel of Masyaf save that across the
bridge" said Masouda.
"a bad one," answered Wulf, staring
downward.
AYE, yet horses trained to rocks
can follow 1t. At the foot is the bot
tom Of the gulf. and a mile or more
away to the left a deep cleft which
leads to the top Of the mountain and
to freedom. VIII you not take II now?
BY to-morrow's dawn you might be
far away.
"And where would the lady Rosa
mund be?" asked Wulf.
I'm the harem Of the lord Sinan-
that is, very soon," she answered.
coolly.
What, then, will avail, Masouda7"
asked Goodwin, in q sad voice. ITO
promise you money would be useless,
even if we could"
IT am glad that you spared me that
insult" she replied with flashing eyes,
for then there had been an end. Yet"
she added more humbly. seeing my
home and business. and what appear
to be- and she glanced at her dress
and the empty cup In her hand. ''it
had not been strange. Now hear me,
and forget no word. At present you
are in favor with Sinan, who believes
you to be the brothers Of the Lady
Rosamund, not her lovers: but from
the moment he learns the truth your
doom is sealed. Now what the Frank
Lozelle knows, that Sinan may know
at. any time--and will know. II these
should meet.
Meanwhile, you are free; so to-
morrow, while YOU ride about the gar
den, as you will do,- take note of the
tall rock that stands without, and how
to reach 1T from any point. even in the
dark. Tomorrow. also, when the moon
is up, they will take you to the mar
row bridge, to ride your horses to and
fro there, that they may learn not to
fear it in that light. When you have
stabbed them go into the gardens and
come hither unobserved, as the place
being so far away you can do. The
guards will let you pass, thinking
only that you desire to drink cup OF
wine with some fair friend, as is the
custom of our guests Enter this cave
here is the KEY" and she handed it
to Wulf. land If be not there, await
me. Then / will tell you my plan, IL
have any, but until then l must
scheme and think Now 1t grows late