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

about the waist Of Rosamund I saw n
jeweled knife" answered Goodwin sad
". "She can be trusted to use II II
need be, and after that we can be
trusted to do our worst"
As they spoke they had loitcred to-
ward the edge Of the glade and, halt
Ing there, stood silent TIL presently
from under the shadow of a cedar
tree appeared a solitary white robed
woman. 1t was MIasouda.
"Follow me, brothers Peter and
JOHN she said in a laughing whisper.
II have words to say to you" And she
fitted ahead Of them.
Silently as n wrath she went, now
appearing in the open spaces. now van
ishing beneath the dense gloom Of ce.
dar boughs, till she reached n naked,
lonely rock which stood almost upon
the edge Of the gulf. Opposite to this
rock was a great mound, such MS an
Client peoples reared over the bodies
Of their dead, and in the mound. Gun.
nlngly hidden by growing shrubs. a
massive door. Masouda took n key
from her girdle and. having looked
around to see that they were alone.
unlocked It.
ENTER" she said, pushing them be-
fore her.
They obeyed and through the dark
ness within heard her close the door.
Now we are safe awhile" she said,
with a sigh, "or at least so I think.
But I will lead you to where there Is
more light"
Then, taking each of them by the
hand, she went forward along a
smooth incline till presently they saw
the moonlight and by it discovered
that they stood at the mouth Of 4 cave
which was fringed with bushes. Run
ming up from the depths Of the gulf
below to this opening was n ridge or
shoulder Of rock, very steep and mar
row.
See the only road that leads from
the citadel Of Masyaf save that across
the bridge said Masouda.
"A bad one" answered Wulf, star
ing downward.
AYE. yet horses trained to rocks can
ollow it. At its foot Is the bottom Of
the gulf and a mile or more away to
the left a deep cleft which leads to the
top OF the mountain and to freedom.
Will you not take it now? BY tomor-
rows dawn you might be far away"
And where would the Lady Rosa
mund Beg asked Wulf.
In the harem of the lord Sinan -
that is, very soon,' she answered coolly.
"Oh, say it not he exclaimed, clasp.
ing her arm, while Goodwin leaned back
against the wall Of the cave.
why should | hide the truth? Have
you no eyes to see that he is enam-
ored Of her loneliness, like othersf
Listen! A while ago my master, Sinan,
Glanced to lose his ~queen-how, we
need not ask, but it IS said that she
wearled him. Now, as he must by law,
he mourns for her Il month, from full
moon to full moon. But on the day aft
err the full moon that is, the third
morning from nOw-he may wed again,
and l think there will be a marriage.
Till then, however, your sister IS safe"
"Therefore," said Goodwin, within
Nhot NiiliC ohC iIuSI CltutI tSttpe Ut
| die"
There is n third way" answered Ma
SCUBA. Struggling her shoulders. "She
might stay and become the wife of ST.
man,"
Wulf muttered something between
his teeth. then stepped toward her
t~hreateningly, saying:
Rescue her Or
stand back, Pilgrim John" she said,
with a laugh. If l rescue her--which
indeed would be hard-it will not be
for fear of your great sword"
what, then, will avail, Masouda %
asked Goodwin in a sad voice. ITO
promise you money would be useless
ever If we could"
Il am glad that you spared me that
insult" she replied. with flashing eyes.
"for then there had been an end. Now,
ent you are in favor with Sinan, who
believes you to be the brothers Of the
lady Rosamund, not her lovers, but
from the moment he hears the truth
your doom is sealed. Now. what the
Frank Lozelle knows. that the Al-je-bal
may know at any time-and will know
if these should meet.
meanwhile you are free. so tomor.
row while you ride about the garden.
as you will do. take note Of the tall
rock that stands without and how to
reach it from any point. even in the
dark. Tomorrow also, when the moon
is up. they will lead you to the narrow
bridge to ride your horses to and fro
there that they may learn not to fear
it in the light. When you have stabbed
them 60 into the gardens and come
hither unobserved. as the place being
so far away you can do. The guards
will let you pass, thinking only that
you desire to drink a cup Of wine with
some fair friend, as Is the custom Of
our guests. Enter this ~cave-hcre is
the key"-and she handed it to Wulf-
land il l be not there await me. Then
I will tell you my plan. If l have any.
but until then | must scheme and think.
Now 1t grows late-go."
And you. Masouda," said Goodwin
doubtfully. How will you escape this
placer
by a road you do not know Of, for
I an mistress Of the secrets Of this
city. Still, I thank you for your
thought Of me. Go, / say, and lock the