The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-04-26

tHe gun as peSI tney could IN tnat ilGne
till suddenly Goodwin, feeling a hand
upon his shoulder, started round to dnd
himself face to face with Masouda.
How did you conner" he asked.
by a road In which is your only
hope" she answered. Now, Sir God
win, waste no words, for my time IL
short, but If you think that you can
trust me-and this is for you to Judge
give me the signet which hangs about
your neck"
Thrusting down his hand between his
mail shirt and his breast, Goodwin drew
out the ancient ring and handed it to
Masouda
you trust indeed" she said, with q
little laugh, as she hid it in her bosom.
"Yes, lady," he answered, Il trust
you, though why you should risk so
much for US do not know"
what is 1t to you. Sir Goodwin. why
q certain woman spy Of the assasstns,
whom in your own land You would spit
on, chooses to do this or thatT'
She ceased and stood before him with
heaving breast and flashing eyes, a
mysterious white figure in the moon
light most beautiful to see.
Goodwin felt his heart stir and the
blood flow to his brow. but before he
could speak Wulf broke In. saying:
"You babe US spare words. Lady Ma
SCUBA, so tell us what we must do"
This" she answered, becoming calm
again. Tomorrow night about this
hour you fight Lozelle upon the narrow
way. You may fall, though that man
at heart is coward, which you are
not, for here courage alone will avail
nothing, but rather skill and horseman-
ship and trick Of war. If so. then Sir
Goodwin fights him, and of this business
none can tell the end. Should both OF
you 90 down, then will do my best to
save your lady and take her to Salah-
ed-din.
"Now, If you conquer, Sir Wulf. or II
you fall and your brother conquers,
both Of you-or one Of you, as 1t may
happen-must gallop back at full speed
toward the stable gate that lies more
than a mile from the castle bridge.
Nor must you stop at the gate, but ride
on, ride like the wind till you reach this
place. The gardens will be empty, for
every soul within the city will have
gathered on the walls and on the house
tops to see the fray. There is but one
fear BY then a guard may be set be-
fore this mound. II so, you must cut
them down or be cut down and bring
your story to an end. Sir Goodwin, here
is another key that you may use II you
are alone. Take It,"
He did so, and she continued:
"Now, If both Of you, or one OF you,
win through to this cave, enter with
your horses, lock the door, bar it and
wait. 1t may be l will join you here
with the princess. But II / do not come
by the dawn then know that the worst
has happened and fly to Salah-ed-din
and tell him of this road by which he
may take vengeance upon his foe ST
nan. Only then, pray you. doubt not
that have done my best, who II fail
must die most horribly. Now, fare
well. Go; you know the road"
They turned to obey, but when they
had gone a few PAGES Goodwin looked
round and saw Masouda watching
them. The moonlight shone full upon
her face, and by 1t he saw also that
tears were running from her dark and
tender eyes. Back he came again,
and with him Wulf, for that sight
drew them. Down he bent before her
till his knee touched the ground, and.
taking her hand, he kissed 1t and said
"Henceforth through life, through
death, we serve two ladies'" And
what he did Wulf did also.
"Mayhap," she answered sadly, two
ladies-but one love-" '.'''
Once more it was night, and high
above the mountain fortress Of Masyaf
shone the full. summer moon. Forth
from the guest house gate rode the
brethren side by side upon their spien-
did steeds. Round them rode their Is.
cort, while In front and behind went a
mob of people. ...... .....
The nation Of the assassins had
thrown Off its gloom this night, for
the while 1t was no longer oppressed
hx, Of NJ nty 2o 4a