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

her she glanced wildly from face to
face, then with n low cry flung an arm
about the neck of each and would have
fallen in the ecstasy Of her joy had
they not held her. Indeed, her knees
touched the ground. AS they stopped to
lift her 1t flashed into Godwin's mind
that Masouda had told Slnan that they
were her brethren. The thought was
followed by another. IF this were so.
they might be left with her, whereas
otherwise that black robed devil
Listen" ne whispered in English,
1--WE are not your cousins-we are your
brothers, your half brothers, and we
know no Arabic"
She heard and Wulf heard, but the
watchers thought that they were but
welcoming each other, for Wifi began
to talk also, random words in French,
such as Greeting, sister, well
found, sister, and kissed her on the
forehead.
Rosamund opened her eyes, which
had closed, and, gaining her feet, gave
II hand to each of the brethren. Then
the voice Of Masouda was heard inter-
preting the words Of Sinan.
at seems, lady, that you know these
knights"
81 do-well. They are my brothers,
from whom l was stolen when they
were drugged and our father was
killed"
"How is that. lady. seeing that you
are said to be the niece of Salah- ed-din?
Are these knights. then, the nephews
of Salah-e ed DIM"
"Nay," answered Rosainund, "they
are my fathers sons. but of another
wife"
The answer appeared to satisfy ST.
nan, who fixed his eyes upon the pale
beauty OF Rosamund and asked no
more questions. While he remained
thus thinking Il noise arose at the end
of the terrace, and the brethren, turn
ing their heads, saw that the thickset
knight was striving to thrust his way
through the guards who stood by the
curtains and barred his path with the
shafts of their spears. Then it came
into Godwin's mind that just before
Rosamund unveiled he had seen this
knight suddenly turn and walk down
the terrace.
The lord Sinan looked up at the
sourd md made a sign. Thereon two
of the dais sprang to their feet and ran
toward the curtains. where they spoke
With the knight. who turned and came
back with them. though slowly, as Il
who is unwilling. Now his hood had
fallen from his head, and Goodwin and
Wulf stared at hin as he advanced.
"Lozelle! 1t is Lozelle..' said God
win.
aye" echoed Rosamund. at is To-
zelle, the double traitor, who betrayed
me first to the soldiers of Saladin and
next to this lord Sinan."
Wulf heard. and as Lozelle drew near
to them sprang forward with an oath
and struck him across the face with
his mailed hand. Instantly guards
thrust themselves between them, and
Sinan asked through Masouda:
why do you dare to strike this
Frank In my presence|
Because, lord answered Wulf, che
is a rogue who has brought all these
troubles on our house. I challenge him
to meet me in battle to the DEATH"
"And I Also" said Goodwin.
II am ready" shouted Lozelle. stung
to fury by the blow.
Then, dog, why did you try to run
away when you saw our faces" asked
Wulf.
Masouda held up her hand and began
to interpret, addressing Lozelle and
coaolrinr IN TIM Grc< norcop ou Tho
mouth" Of Sinan.
IL thank you for your service who
have served me before. Your messen-
ger came, a Frank whom l knew in
old days. AS you had arranged it
should be, I sent one Of my fedais with
soldiers to kill the men Of Salah-ed-din
on the ship and capture this lady. who
Is his niece, all Of which, it seems. has
been done. The bargain that your mes
senger made was that the lady should
be given over to you
Here Goodwin and Wulf ground their
teeth and glared at him.
But these knights say that you stole
her, their kinswoman, from them, and
one Of them has struck you and chal-
lenged you to single combat, which
challenge you have accepted. I sane
ton the combat gladly, who have long
desired to see two knights Of the
Franks fight in tourney according to
their custom. l will set the course, and
you shall be given the best horse in my
kingdom. This knight shall ride his
own. These are the conditions: The
course shall be on the bridge between
the inner and outer gates of the castle
city, and the fight, which must be to
the death, shall take place on the night
Of the full moon-that is, three days
from now. II you are victor, we will
talk of the matter Of the lady for
whom you bargained as a wife"
my lord, my lord" answered Lo-
zelle, "who can lay a lance on that ter
rible place in moonlight? Is it thus
that you keep faith with meT"
II can and will!' cried Wulf. DOG,
l would fight you with my soul on the
hazard"
Keep faith with yourself" said 81
nan, "who said that you accepted the
challenge of this knight and made no
conditions, and when you have proved
upon his body that his quarrel is not
just, then speak of my faith with you.
Nav no more words. When thia NUht