Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-05-18

prostrated herself at full
 length, but Goodwin and
 bVo Wulf stared at the heap. and
 .,o heap stared at them. Then, at
 ..,o motion of his chin. Masou,!a arose
 and said:
 ..ao of the master, Sinan, lord of death.
 rnool and do homage to the master
 nr+ the brethren stiffened their backs
 ..a would not kneel They lifted their
 ..nds to their brows in salute but no
 nore ,
 Then from between the black turban
 .nd the back cloak came q hollow
 voce, speaking in Arabic, and saying:
 .Are these the men who brought me
 .bo lions skin: Well, what seek ye.
 Franks,
 They stood silent.
 spread lord" said Masouda. these ,nicbts are but now come from Eng
 land oversea and do not understand our tongue.
 .set ct their story and their re- ouest," said Al-je-bal.
 "uread lord." answered Masouda, "as 1se,t v5u word. they say that they are tbe Xii, ef certain knight who in bat file save: t:e I.fe of him who ruled be- for4 you, but is now an inha bitant of paradise.
 q have beard that there was such a knieht." s:iil tie voice. He was nam- pd E.Arlr. ;:l1sl he lore tie same cog nrancc on his shieiG-the sign of a skull
 "Lo!T tnHse brethren are also named Darcy. a.:l ns=sv ':l-v co::e to ask your help against ss= n At tat nH,. teap stirred as a snake ST; whe : ha2Hs danger. and tbe head ere. ted itself a littic beneath the g"eat tu'han. "What he'p. and why asked the voice.
 "Lord, SalaA ed-oiin has stolen wom- an of their house wlfa is his niece, and these knights. her brothers ask you to aid them to recover her.
 The beady eyes instantly became in terested.
 Report has been made to me of that story," said the voice, "but what sign do these Franks show? He who went before me gave a ring, and with it cer tain rights in this land to the knight Darcy who befriended him in danger. Where is that sacred ring with which he parted in his foolishness?"
 Masouda translated, and, seeing the warning in her eyes and remembering her words. the brethren shook their heads, while Wulf answered:
 "Our uncle, the knight Sir Andrew. was cut down by the soldiers of Sa.ah- ed-din, and as he died bade us seek you out What time had he to tell us of any ring
 The he'd sank upon the breast.
 T hopel." S1id Sinan to Masouda. "that they had the ring. and it was for this reason, woman. :hat allowed you to lead these knights hither after you had reported of them and their quest to me from Beirut It is not well that there should be two holy signets in the world. and he who went before me when he lay dying charged me to re- cover his if that were possible. Let them go back to their own land and re- turn to me with the ancient ring, and will help theln''
 Masouda translated the last sentence only, and again the brethren shook theit heads. This time it was Goodwin who spoke.
 Our land is far away. o lord, and where shall we find this long lost ring: Let not our journey be in vain mighty one, give us justice asalns' Salah- ed-din.''
 "All my years have sought justle. on Salah-ed -din," answered Sinan, "and yet he prevails against me. NOW make you an offer. Go, Franks, ah. bring me his head, or at least put hlm to death as shall show you how, ana we will talk again"
 When they heard this saying Wu' said to Goodwin in English:
 "1 think that we had best go C. not like this company" But Godwla made no answer
 As they stood silent thus, not know Ing what to say. man entered throuE. the door and. throwing himself on h'' hands and knees. crawled toward thf cushion through the double line of co"n- cilors, or dais.
 "Your report?" said Sinan in Arablc.
 Lord" answered the man, Il ae- quaint you that your will has been doA1 in the matter of the vessel Then he went on speaking in low volce' se rapidly that the brethren could scarce.. hear and much less understand.
 Sinan listened, then said:
 "Let the fedai enter and make ms own report. bringing with him his pris' 0ners''
 Now one of the dais, he who sat near est the canopy, rose and, pointing TO- ward the brethren. said:
 Touching these Franks, what IS your willT
 The beafIv eves which seemed 10