Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-05-10
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 would have been useless, since that fore they were suffered to leave the ship, from which he departed alone in private boat
 At length they stood in the motley eastern crowd upon the quay, wonder ing where they could find an inn that they did not wish to be considered per sons of wealth or importance. As they fingered here, somewhat bewildered, tall yelled woman, whom they had noted watching them, drew near, ac- companied by a porter, who led q don key This man without more ado seized their baggage and, helped by other porters, began to fasten it upon the back. of the donkey with great rapdity, and when they would have forbidden him pointed to the yelled woman.
 "Your pardon said Goodwin to her at length and speaking in French, .'but this man.
 Loads up your baggage to take it to my inn. It is cheap, quiet and con- fortable, things which l heard you say you required just now did ] not?' she answered in a sweet voice, also speak ing in good French.
 Goodwin and Wulf began to discuss what they should do. When they had agreed that it seemed not wise to trust themselves to the care of strange wo- man in this fashion they looked up to see the donkey laden with their trunks being led away by the porter.
 ''Too late to say no, l fear me- said the woman. with laugh, ESQ you must be my guests awhile if you would not lose your baggage. Come, after so long a journey you need to wash and eat. Follow me, sirs, I pray you"
 Then she walked through the crowd, which they noted parted for her as she went, to a post where fine mule was tied. Loosing it. she leaped to the sad dle without help and began to ride away. looking back from time to time to see that they were following her, as, indeed they must.
 At last the woman on the mule turn ed through a doorway in wall of un burned brick, and they found them selves before the porch of White, rambling house which stood in a large garden and was situated on the bor- ders of the city.
 Here the woman dsmounted and gave the mule to q Nubian who was waiting; then with quick movement she unveiled herself and turned toward them. as though to show her beauty. Beautiful she was; of that there could be no doubt. She was young also perhaps twenty-five; no more - and very fair skinned for an eastern.
 "A1y poor house is for pilgrims and merchants, not for famous knights, yet, sirs. 1 welcome you to il" she said pres ently, scanning them out of the corners of her eyes.
 "We are but squires in our own coun- try who make the pilgrimage replied Goodwin. "For what sum each day Will you give us board and good room to sleep in?'
 "Sirs, I repeat, this is but humble place, scarce fit for knights like you, but if you will honor it the charge is so much"
 "We are satisfied" said Goodwin.
 q will settle with the porter He would cheat you," said the woman.
 Then followed a wrangle five min- utes long between this curious, hand- some, still faced woman and the DOT ter, who, after the eastern fashion, lashed himself into frenzy over the sum she offered and at length began to call her by ill names. Presently in perfect foam of passion he said, or, rather, spat out:
 "No wonder Masouda the Spy, that after hiring me to do your evil work YOU take the part of these Christian dogs against true believer. you child of Al-je-bal!'
 Instantly the woman seemed to stl1f- en like q snake about to strike.
 "Who is he?' she said coldly. "Do you mean the lord-who kills?" And she looked at him-a terrible look.
 At that glance all the anger seemed b go out of the man.
 "Your pardon, Widow Masouda,' he said. T forgot that you are Chris tian and naturally side with Chris tians'
 She gave him the money, adding ill her quiet voice:
 "Go, and if you love life keep better watch over your words
 Then the porter went. and 1t came into Wulf's mind that their strange hostess had powers not possessed by innkeepers in England. When she had watched him through the gate Masou- da turned to them and said in French:
 Forgive me, but here in Beirut these Saracen porters are extortionate, espe- cially toward us Christians. Well, you are to pay me a good price, and you shall have my best room while It pleases you to honor me with your company. An, your baggage! You do not wish to leave it. Slave, come here."
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