The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-08-09

the end Of this annex q tall. yelled OBJ
ject Rufnus, the bishop Of Acre. who
was clad In the armor Of knight,
went to the object and, drawing the
veil, revealed a broken, blackened
cross, set around with Jewels that
stood about the height Of q man above
the ground, for oil the lower part was
gone.
At the sight Of It Goodwin and every
man present there fell upon his knees
for since st. Helena found II, over sev.
on centuries before. this had been &C.
counted the most precious relic in
all ChrIstendom-the very wood upon
which the Saviour suffered, az, indeed,
il may have been.
Now" broke In the voice OF the
master Of the Templars, 'let Sir God.
win Darcy swear to the truth OF his
tale upon this rood"
Rising from his knees Goodwin ad.
Fanced to the cross. and, laying his
hand upon the wood, said
upon this very rood ] swear that
not much more than an hour ago saw
the vision which has been told 70 the
kings highness and to oil"
The bishop drew back the covering
over the cross. and in silence tho coun.
ell took their seats again about the
table. Now the king was very pale
and fearful; indeed, Il gloom lay upon
all Of them.
ut would SEEM" he said, that here
a messenger has been sent to us from
heaven Dare we dlsobey his mes.
sageT
The Grand Templar lifted his rugged.
frownlng face.
"A messenger from heaven, said YOU,
king2 To me he seems more lire d
messenger from Saladin. Tell US, Sir
Goodwin, were not you and your broth
err once the sultans guests at Da-
mascus, and were YOU not officers OF
the sultan's bodyguardT
Now all looked lntently at Goodwin.
who hesltuted little, foreseeing how
bis answer would be read, wherein
Wulf spoke In his loud voice;
AYE, we acted as such for awhile
and-doubtess you have heard the sto.
ry-saved Saladlns life when he was
attacked by the assassins."
"Oh," said the Templar, with bitter
sarcasm, you saved Saladins life, did
your I can well believe 1t. Now, Sir
Knights, answer me one more ques-
tom
"slr Templor, with my tongue or
with my sword?" broke In Wulf, but
the king held hp his hand and babe
him be silent.
"a truce to your tavern rudiing,
young sir, and answer" went on the
Templar. "OT, rather, do you answer
Sir Goodwin. Is your cousin, Rosa
mund, the daughter Of Sir Andrew
darcy, q niece of Saladin, and has
she been created by him Princess Of
Baalbec, and is she at this moment In
his city OF Damascusi"
'"she is his niece" answered Goodwin
quietly. "She Is the Princess OF Baal-
bee, but at this moment she Is not In
| Damascus"
How do you know that, Sir God
winP
81 know It because In the vision Of
which you have been told saw her
sleeping in a tent In the camp Of Sala-
din"
Now the council began to laugh but
Goodwin, with a set, white face. went
on:
aye my lord Templar, and near that
very blnzoned tent saw scores OF the
Templars and of the Hospltalers lying
dead. Remember 1t when the dreadful
hour comes"
Now the laughter died away, and
murmur of fear ran round the board
Only the Templar, who feared mel
Their man nor spirit. laughed and gave
him the lie with his eyes.
you do not believe me-" said God
win, "nor will you believe me when
l say that while was on guard on yon'
der hilltop | saw you wrangling with
the Count of Tripoll-aye, and draw
your sword and dash 1t down In front
of him upon this very table"
Now again the council stared ana
muttered, for they, too, had seen this
thing, but the master answered:
"He may have learned 1t otherwise
than from an angel. Folk have been In
and out Of this tent. My lord king
have we more time to waste upon these
visions? Were the times different
would inform against Sir Goodwin
darcy as a sorcerer and one VINO mas
been In traitorous communication WIN
our common foe
"And would thrust the lie down
your throat with my swords pointF
shouted Wulf.
But Goodwin only shrugged his Shout
III ,oti,ino and the master