Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-08-30

called the dais. Well, as IL chances, the
say nothing of that ring and let no eyes
see 1t. 1t Is. or was once, the great
signet, and a day may come when 1t
will IA your lives. Doubtless when
the lord who Is dead thought 1t gone
forever he caused another to be fash
toned, SO like that l who have had both
in my hand could not tell the two
apart. To him who holds that ring all
gates are open, but to let 1t be known
that you have its double means death.
Do you understands"
They nodded, and Masouda contn-
ued:
Lastly. though you may think that
this seems much to ask, trust me al.
ways, eve If | seem to play you false.
who for your sakes,' and she sighed,
"have broken oaths and spoken words
for which the punishment Is to die by
torment. Nay, thank me not, for I do
only what l must who am a slave-a
slave"
"a slave to whom?' asked Goodwin,
staring at her.
"To the lord Of all the mountains"
sweet yet very sad, and without anoth-
err word spurred on her horse.
They crossed the plain, and toward
evening came to the wall of the outer
city. They passed up a street very
steep and narrow, from the roofs and
windows Of the houses on either side
of which hundreds Of people. many OF
evening prayer, watched them go by.
At the head Of this street they reached
Il fortified gateway. on the turrets Of
which. SO mOtionless that at first they
took them to be statues cut in stone,
stood guards wrapped in long white
robes. After parley this was opened
to them, and they rode through triple
doors.
Then they saw all the wonder Of that
place, for between the outer city where
they stood and the castle, with its inner
town which was built around and be-.
meath it, yawned a vast gulf owe nine
ty feet in depth. Across this gulf. built
of blocks of stone, quite unrailed and
not more than three PAGES wide, ran a
causeway some 300 yards in length,
which causeway was supported upon
arches reared up at intervals from the
bottom of the gulf.
Ride on and have no fear" said
Masouda. Your horses are trained to
heights, and the mules and mine will
follow"
At length they were across and. pass
ing under another gateway which had
broad terraces on esther side of II.
rode up the long street beyond and
entered a great courtyard, around
which stood the castle, a vast and
frowning fortress. Here a white robcd
officer came forward. greeting them
with a low bow, and with him serv
ants. who assisted them to dismount
These men took the horses to a rang
of stables on one side of the courtyard
whittier the brethren followed to SEE
their beasts groomcd and fed. Their
the officer, who had stood patiently by
the while, conducted them through
dOorwayS and down passages to- the
guest chambers, large stone rooted
rooms, where they found their baggage
ready for them. Here Masouda said
that she would see them again on the
following morning and departed ir
company with the officer.
Wulf looked round the great vaulte(
chamber, which. now that the dark ha(
fallen, was lit by pickering lamps Sc
in iron brackets upon the wall, ant
said.
well. for my part. ] had rather pass
the night in a desert among the lion'
than in this dismal place.
Scarcely were the words out OF hi,
lips when curtains swung aside. ant
beautiful women entered, clad III gauzl
wells and bearing dishes OF food. Thes'
they placed upon the ground befor'
them, inviting them TO eat. Then the.
sat down and nte the food that wa!
strange TO them. but very pleasant Il
the taste. Wine was offered to then
also, hut Of this, remembering Mason
da's words, they would not drink. ask
ing by signs for water. which wa
brought after a little pause.
men tDPlT meal was uOne tup Dtau
tiful women bore away the dishes an
black slaves appeared, These men le'
them to baths such as they had neve
seen, where they washed in hot water
then in cold. Afterward they were
rubbed with spicy smelling oils and
having been wrapped in white robes
conducted back to their chamber, wher'
they found beds spread for them. Oh
these. being very weary, they lay down
when strange, sweet music broke out
Snd to the sound of it they fell asleep
When they awoke it was TO see tn
light streaming through the high, lat
ticcd windows.
Did you sleep well, GodwlnT asket
Wulf.
well enough" answered his brother
only l dreamed that throughout th'
night people came and looked at me-
Il dreamed that also" said Wulf
Moreover. | think that II was not al
a dream. since there is a coverlet Of
my bed which was not there when
went to sleep"
They rose and dressed themselves
putting on clean garments and thei
best cloaks that they had brought wit
them on them mules, after which the vel
ed women entered the room with breaE
fast, and they ate. When this was fir