The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-08-02


opened the wicket The woman came
In. II was Masouda. They rose and
bowed to her, but she passed before
them into the house. Thlther they fol-
lowed, while the soldier at the gate
laughed again, and at the sound Of his
mockery Godwin's cheek grew red.
Even In the cool, darkened room she
noticed It and said bitterly enough:
"What does It matterH Such insults
are my daily bread whom they be-
lieye" And she stopped.
"rhey had best say nothing Of what
they believe to me-" muttered Goodwin.
Il thank you" Mnsouda. answered,
with q sweet, swift smile, and, throw
ing Off her cloak. stood before them I'm.
yelled, clad in the white robes that be.
fitted her tail and graceful form so
well and were blazoned on the breast
with the cognlzahce Of Baalbec. "Welf
for you" she went ON, "that they hold
me to be what am not, since other
wise ] should win no entry to this
house."
what Of our lady RosamundY broke
in Wulf awkwardly, for, like Goodwin,
he was panied.
Masoudn laid her hand upon her
breast, as though to still its heaving,
then answered.
1.-THE Princess Of Baalbec, my mis-
tress, Is well and as ever, beautiful
though somewhat weary Of the pomp
In which she finds no Joy. She sent
her greetings, but did not say to which
Of you they should be delivered, so.
pilgrima you must share them.
Goodwin WINGED, but Wulf asked II
there were any hope Of seeing her, to
which Masouda answered:
None" adding In a low voice, II
come upon another business. DO you
brethren wish to do Salah-ed-dln a
service--to save his llfe-for which he
may be grateful or may not, according
to his moodT
Speak on" said Goodwin, land tell
us how we two Franks can save the
life Of the sultan of the east"
do you still remember Sinan and
his fedais? Yes; they are not easily
forgotten, are they2 Well, tonight he
has plotted to murder Salah.ed-din and
afterward to murder you If he can ana
to carry away your lady Rosamund IL
he can or, failing that, to murder her
also. Oh, the tale is true enough! |
have It from one of them under the
slgnet-surely that slgnet has served
us Well-who believes poor fool, that
aEl in the plot Now, you are the
officers of the bodyguard who watch
In the antechamber tonight, are you
not? Well, when the guard Is changed
at midnight the eight men who should
replace them at the doors Of the room
of Salah-ed-dln will not arrive. They
will be decoyed away by false order
In their stead will come eight murder
ers, disguised In the robes and arms OF
mamelukes. They look to deceive and
cut you down. kill Salah-ed-din and es-
cape by the farther door. Can you hold
your own awhile against eight men,
think your
1--WE have done so before and will
try" answered Wulf. But how shall
we know that they are not name
lukes2"
"Thus: They will wish to pass the
door, and you will say Nay, sons Of
SInan, wherein they will spring on
you to kill you. Then be ready and
shout aloud"
"And II they overcome us" asked
Goodwin, "then the sultan would be
slainT
NAY, for you must lock the door OF
the chamber Of Salah-ed-din and hlde
away the key. The sound Of the fight
ing will arouse the outer guard ere
hurt can come to him. Or" she added
after thinking awhile, perhaps 1t Will
be best to reveal the plot to the sultan
at once"
mo no." answered Wulf LET us
take the chance. weary Of doing
nothing here, Hassan guards the outer
gate. He will come swiftly at the
sound Of blows"
Good" said Masouda, Il will see
that he is there and awake. Now fare
we'll and pray that we may meet again.
I say nothing of this story to the prln'
cess Rosamund until 1t is done with
It was near midnight, and the breth-
rem stood in the small domed ante
chamber from which door opened Into
the sleeping rooms of saladln. The
guard of eight mamelukes had left them,
10 be met by their relief in the court
yard, according to custom, but no relief
had as yet appeared in the antecham-
Der.
. at would seem that Masouda's tale
IA true" said Goodwin, and, going to the
-. q I.ai.na Il q nd hid the kew be-