Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-06

r SdgeS anu Cui'"ih, DeyOnu winch the
!. found themselves in a small dome
room lit by hanging silver lamps an
: paved in tessellated marbles, strew
, with rich rugs and furnished wit
, cushioned touches.
. At a sign from Hassan the brethre
stood still in the center of the roor
and looked about them wonderips
The place was empty and very silent
They felt afraid-of what they kne,
not. Presently curtains upon Its fa,
Their side opened and through Their
came q man turbaned and wrapped Il
a dark robe. who stood awhile IN til
shadow, gazing at them beneath tn
lamps.
The man was not very tall, and Sigh
in build, yet about him was muc]
majesty. although h~ garb was sucl
as the humblest might have worm II,
came forward. lifting his head, ant
they saw that his features were small
and finely cut; that he was bearded
and beneath his broad brow sbon,
thoughtful, yet Mt times piercing, eyes
which were brown in hue. Now thu
Prince Hassan sank to his knees anf
touched the marble with his forehead
and, guessing that they were in the
presence Of the mighty monarch Sala
din, the brethren saluted In their west
ern fashion. Presently the sultan spoke
in n low, even voice to Hassau. tc
whom he motloned that he should rise
saying:
II can see that you trust these
knights, emlr." and he pointed to their
great swords.
Sire" was the answer. II trust them
as l trust myself. They are brave and
honorable men. although they be In.
fidels."
The sultan stroked his beard.
Aye" he said, 'lnfidels. 1t is q pity.
yet doubtless they worship Go" after
their wi fashion. Noble TO look on
also. like their father, whom | remen-
Der well, and, if all l hear is true, brave
indeed. Sir Knights, do you under.
Staud my ~languageT"
sufficiently to speak it, lord" an.
swered Goodwin, who have learned it
since childhood, yet Ill enough"
Good. Then tell me, as soldiers to
a soldier, what do you seek from Salah.
ed-din?"
Our cousin, the Lady Rosamund,
who, by your command, was stolen
from u home In England"
knights, she is your cousin. that
know. as surely as | know that she Is
my niece. Tell me now. Is she auRht
more to your and he searched them
with those piercing eyes.
Goodwin looked at Wulf, who said in
English:
Speak the whole truth, brother.
From that man nothing can be hid"
Then Goodwin answered:
Sire. we love her and are afianced
to her"
The sultan stared at them in surprise
What. Both Of YOU he asked.
yes. BOTH
And doth she love you both?'
Yes replied Goodwin, both, or so
she says
Saladin stroked his beard and con.
sidered them, while Hassan smiled a
little.
Then. knights" he said presently.
tell me which of you does she love
best?"
THAT. sire. - known to her alone.
When the time comes she will say, and
not before"
Il perceive" said Saladin. that be.
hind this riddle hides a story. If it Is
your good pleasure, be seated and set II
to me-"
So they sat down on the divan and
obeyed, keeping nothing back from the
beginning to the end. nor, although the
tale was long, did the sultan weary of
listening.
"A great story. truly he said when
ut length they had finished, "and one in
which l seem to see the hand of Allah.
listen. The tale that those two
knaves, the priest and the
false knight Lozelle. told to you was
rue. AS l wrote 10 your uncle in my
etter. l dreamed a dream. Thrice
lreamed 1t, that this niece Of mine lived
md that if l could bring her here to
iwell at my side she should save the
shedding Of much blood by some noble
Iced of hers-ayc. of the blood Of tens
" thousands-and in that dream l saw
ler face. Therefore stretched out my
lrm and took her from far away. And
low, through you-yes, through you
he has been snatched from the power
II the great assassin and is safe in nv
'onrt, and therefore henceforth l am
our friend"
"sire, have you seen her." asked
iodw1n.
knights, l have seen her, and the
ace is the face Of my dreams, and
therefore, l know full surely that in
hose dreams God spoke. Listen, Sir
and Sir Wulf," Saladin- Went
n in a changed voice. a sterrfc! COM
banding voice. ASK Of me what you
VII, and, Franks though you are, it
hall be given you for your services
lands, titles. all that men
esire and l can grant-but ask not Of
my niece, Rose of the World. Prin.
ess of Baalbec. whom Allah has |
rought to me for his own purposes. {
now, moreover, that If you strive to
teal her away you shall certainty die, !
that II she escapes from me and ! |
ecapture her, then she shall die. These I
ilngs l have told her already, and
them in the name of Allah. Here /
Is. md In my house she must abide t