The San Francisco call., 1905-01-08

that we are flies in web, and that
the spider is called the Widow Ma
souda. though of what use we are to
her / know not. Now, brother, what
is to be done? Make friends with the
spider?"
AN ill ally" answered Goodwin. Then
looking her straight in the face he
asked: Hostess, who knows so much,
tell me, why, among other names
did the donkey driver call you Child
Cf Al-Jebal?"
She started, and answered:
80 you understand Arabic? ]
thought it. Why do you ask? Whst
does it matter to your"
Not much except, as We are going to
visit Al-Jebal, of course we think our
selves fortunate to have met his daugh-
ter"
Going to visit Al-Jebal? Yes, you
hinted as much upon the ship, did you
not? Perhaps that is why l came to
meet you. Well, your throats will be
cut before ever you reach the first OF
his castles"
Il think not" said Goodwin, and, put
ting his hand into his breast, he drew
play carelessly.
Whence did you get that ring?" she
said with fear and wonder in her eyes.
1T is" and she ceased.
From one to whom it was given and
who has charged US with message.
Now, hostess, let us be plain with one
another. You know great deal about
US, but although it has suited us to
call ourselves the pilgrims Peter and
John. in all this there is nothing of
which we need be ashamed, especially
as you say that our secret is no Sc
cret, which l can well believe. Now,
this secret being out. 1 propose that we
remove ourselves from your roof, and
go to stay with our own people at
the castle, where l doubt not we shall
be welcome, telling them that we would
bide no longer with one who is called a
spy, whom We have discovered also to
be daughter of Al-Jebal.' After
which, perhaps, you will bide no longer
in Beirut, where, as we gather, spies
and the daughters of Al-Jebap are not
welcome"
She listened with an impassive face,
and answered:
Doubtless you will have heard that
one of US who was so named was
burned here recently as witch?"
Yes" broke in Wulf, who now
learned this fact for the first time; I'VE
heard that"
And think to bring like fate upon
me. Why, foolish men, can lay you
both dead before ever those words pass
your lips"
You think you can," said Goodwin;
"but for my part l am sure that this
is not fated, and am sure also that you
do not wish to harm us any more than
we wish to harm you. To be plain,
then, it is necessary for US to visit
Al-Jebal. AS chance has brought us
together-if it be chance-will you aid
us in this, as / think you can, or must
we seek other help?''
Il do not know. l will tell you after
four days. If you are not satisfied
with that, go. denounce me, do your
worst and l will do mine, for which
] should be sorry"
Where is the security that you will
not do Ii if we are satisfied?" asked
Wulf bluntly.
You must take the word of a
daughter of Al-Jebal.' I have none
other to offer," she replied.
THAT may mean DEATH" said Wulf.
You said just now that was not
fated, and although have sought your
company for my own reasons, l have
no quarrel with you-as yet. Choose
your own path. Still, tell you that if
you go, who CHANGING to know Arabic,
have learned my secret, you die, and
that IL you stay you are safe-at least
while you are in this house. 1 swear it
Oll lIlC lOhCn VI <al-JCOdlt anu OCA1dlL6
forward she touched the ring in God
wins hand; "but remember that for
the future l cannot answer"
Goodwin and Wulf looked at each
other. Then Goodwin replied:
II think that we will trust you, and
stay" words at which she smiled a lit
tie as though she were pleased, then
said
Now, If you wish to walk abroad.
guests Peter and John, will summon
the slave to guide you, and in four
days we will talk more of this matter
OF your journey, which, until then, had
best be forgotten"
So the man came, armed with
sword, and led them out, clad in their
pilgrims robes, through the streets Of
this eastern town, and where every
thing was so strange that for a while
they forgot their troubles in studying
the new life about them. They noted,
moreover, that though they went into
quarters where no Franks were to be
seen, and where fierce-looking servants
of the prophet stared at them sourly,
the presence of this slave of Masouda
seemed sufficient to protect them from
affront, since on seeing him even the
,turbaned Saracens nudged each other
and turned aside. In due course they
came to the inn again, having met no
one whom they knew, except two pill
grims who had been their fellow-pas-
sengers on the dromon. These men
were astonished when they said they
had been through the Saracen quarter
of the city, where, although this town
was in the hands of the Christians, it
was scarcely thought safe for Franks
to venture without a strong guard
When the brethren were back in their
chamber seated in the far corner of it,
and speaking very low, lest they should
be overheard, they consulted together
long and earnestly as to what they
should do. This was clear-they and
something of their mission were known.
and doubtless notice of their coming
would soon be given to the Sultan Sa-
ladin. From the King and great lords
in Jerusalem they could expect little
help, since to give 1t might be to bring
about an open rupture with Saladin.
such as the Franks dreaded, and for
which they were ill-prepared. Indeed,
If they went to them, it seemed likely
that they would be prevented from
stirring in this dangerous search for a
woman who was the niece of Saladin,
and fer aught they knew thrown into
prison, or shipped back to Europe.
True, they might try to find their way
to Damascus alone, but If the Sultan
was warned of their coming, would he
not cause them to be killed upon the
road, or cast into some dungeon where
they would languish out their lives?
The more they spoke of these matters
the more they were perplexed, till at
length Goodwin said: