The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-05-04

help and sweeping around them with
their swords into reach of which the
fedais dare not come. Now from with
out the chamber rose a cry and tumult,
!, and the sound Of heavy blows falling
upon the gates that the murderers had
barred behind them, while upon the
farther side of the door, which he could
not open, was heard the voice of the
sultan demanding to know what
passed.
The fedais heard these sounds also
and read in them their doom. Forget
ting caution in their despair and rage
they hurled themselves upon the breth-
rem, for they thought that il they could
get them down they might still break
through the door and STAY Salah-ed din
for awhile the brethren stopped their
rush with point and buckler, wound
ing two Of them sorely, and when at
length they closed in upon them the
gates We're burst and Hassan and the
outer guard were at hand.
A minute later and, but little hurt,
Goodwin and Wulf were leaning on
their swords, and the fedais, some OF
them dead or wounded and some of
them captive, lay before them on the
marble floor. Moreover, the door had
been opened, and through it came the
sultan in his night gear.
what has chanced?" he asked, look.
ing at them doubtfully.
only this, lord" answered Goodwin
"These men came to kill you. and we
held them off till help arrived"
xiii me! My own guard kill me:"
"They are not your guard. They are
fedais disguised as your guard and sent
by Al-jebal as he promised
Now Salah-ed-din turned pale, for he
who feared nothing else was all his
life afraid of the assassins.
strip the armor from those men,
went OH Goodwin, land think that you
will find truth in my words. or, if not
question such of them as still live"
They obeyed, and there upon the
breast of one of them, burnt into his
skin, was the symbol Of the blood red
dagger. Now Saladin saw and beck
oned the brethren aside.
How knew you of this?' he asked
searching them with his piercing eyes.
"Masouda, the lady Rosamund's wait
ing woman. warned us that you, lord
and we were to be murdered tonight
by eight men, so we made ready"
"Why, then, did you not tell me?'
Because" answered Wulf, I'VE were
not sure that the news was true anG
did not wish to bring false tidings ant
be made foolish; because. also, m!
brother and l thought that we coult
hold our own awhile against eight OF
Sinan's rats disguised as soldiers Of
Saladin."
You have done it well, though yours
was mad counsel" answered the sui
tan. Then he gave his hand first t.
one and next to the other and said sim
ply:
''Sir knights, Salah-ed -din owes hi.
life to you. Should it ever come about
that you owe your lives to Salah-ed-dir
he will remember this"
Thus this business ended. On the
morrow those of the fedais who remain
ed alive were put to death; also many
Others in the city were seized ant
killed on suspicion, so that for awhile
| there was no more fear from the assas
sins.
Now, from that day forward Saladir
held the brethren in great friendship
and pressed gifts upon them and of
fered them honors. but they refused
them all. saying that they needed bu
one thing of him and he knew what i
was-an answer at which his face sanl,
| One morning he sent for them, and
except for the presence of Prince Has
san, the most favorite of his emirs, ant
a famous imaum, or priest of his re
ligion, received them alone.
Listen" he said briefly, addressin,
Goodwin. II understand that my niece
the Princess of Baalbec. is beloved b,
| you. Good. Subscribe the Koran. ano
l give her to you in marriage, for thu
also she may be led to the true faith
whom / have sworn not to force there