The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-04-26

WANFN NtA AAN gu - oil NINNM NY
back, but chest that contains know
not what, which l am charged to de-
liver to Sir Andrew Darcy, the owner
of this hall, or should he be dead then
TO the Lady Rosamund, his daughter"
I'VE Will help you,' said Goodwin
And they went with him into the count
yard, where by the scant light Of the
stars they saw fine mule In charge Of
one OF the serving men and bound upon
its back long shaped package sewed
over with sacking. This the palmer uu-
loosed, and, taking one end, while
Wulf, after bidding the man stable the
mule, took the other, they bore 1t into
the hall, Goodwin going before them to
summon his uncle. Presently he came
and the palmer bowed to him.
What Is your name, palmer, and
whence is this boxT' asked the old
knight, looking at him keenly
my name, Sir Andrew, Is Nicholas Of
Salisbury, and as to who sent me, with
your leave, Will whisper In your ear"
And, leaning forward, he did so.
Sir Andrew heard and staggered back
as though a dart had pierced him.
'WhatT he said Are you. a holy
palmer, the messenger off, and he
stopped suddenly.
II was his prisoner" answered the
man, "and he, who at least ever keeps
his word, gave me my life, for had
been condemned to die, at the price
that ] brought this to you and took
back your answer or hers, which have
sworn to do"
"Answer7 To whatT'
"Nay, know nothing save that there
Is n writing In the chest. Its purport l
am not told, who am but messenger
bound by oath to do certain things.
Open the chest, lord, and meanwhile II
you have food l have travelled far and
fast.'
Sir Andrew went to door and called
to his manservants, whom he babe
give meat to the palmer and stay with
him while he ate. Then he told Goodwin
and Wulf to lift the box and bring It TO
the solar and with 1t hammer and
chisel in case they should be needed,
which they did, setting It upon the oak
en- table.
,"Open," said Sir Andrew SO they
ripped of the canvas, two folds Of 1t,
revealing within box Of dark, for
elgn looking wood bound with iron
bands. at which they labored long be-
fore they could break them At length
It was done, and there within was an
other box beautifully made of polished
ebony and sealed at the front and
ends with strange device. This box
had a lock OF silver to which was tied
a silver key.
AT least II has not been tempered
with" said Wulf, examining the un-
broken seals, but Sir Andrew only re-
peated;
"open, and be swift Here, Goodwin,
take the key, for my hand shakes with
cold"
The lock turned easily, and the seals
being broken the lid rose upon Its
hinges, while, as II did so, scent Of
precious doors filled the place Be
meath, covering the contents Of the
chest, was an oblong piece Of worked
silk and lying on II parchment
Sir Andrew broke the thread ana seal
and unrolled the parchment. Within %
was written over in strange charaftef9
Also, there was a second unsealedsroll
written In clerky hand in Norman,
French and headed, Translation Of
this letter in case the knight, Sir An
drew Darcy, has forgotten the Arabic
tongue or that his daughter, the Lady
Rosamund, has not yet learned the
same"
Sir Andrew glanced at both headings,
then said:
Nay, have not forgotten Arabic,
who, while my lady lived, spoke little
else with her, and who taught 1t to our
daughter. But the light Is bad. and,
Goodwin, you are scholarly read me the
French. We can compare them after
ward"
At this moment Rosamund entered
the solar from her chamber and, seeing
the three OF them so strangely en-
ployed. said;
us II your will that go, fatherT
mo, daughter. Since you are here,
stay here. think that this matter
concerns you as well as me Read on.
Goodwin
SO Goodwin read:
In the name OF God, the merciful and
compassionate, /. salah-ed-din Yusuf ibn
Ayoub, commander of the faithful, cause
these words to be written and seal them
with my own hand, TO the Frankish lord,
Sir Andrew darcy, husband OF my sister