The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-05-03

they believe to me-" muttered Goodwin.
Il thank you," Masouda answered,
with a sweet, swift smile, and, throw
ing off her cloak. stood before them I'M
yelled, clad in the white robes that be-
fitted her tall and graceful form so
well and were blazoned on the breast
with the cognizance of Baalbec. well
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 Rosamund? p broke
in Wulf awkwardly, for, like Goodwin,
he was panied.
Masouda laid her hand upon her
breast, as though to still its heaving.
then answered.:
"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.
pilgrims, you must share them.
Goodwin WINGED, but Wulf asked IL
there were any hope of seeing her, to
which Masouda answered.:
"None," adding in a low voice, 81
come upon another business. Do you
brethren wish to do Salah-ed-din a
seryice-to save his life--for which he
may be grateful or may not, according
to his moods"
"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 they? Well, tonight be
has plotted to murder Salah-ed-din and
afterward to murder you il he can and
to carry away your lady Rosamund if
he can or, failing that to murder her
also. Oh, the tale is true enough!
have it from one of them under the
signet-surely that signet has served
us well-who believes, poor fool, that
1 am 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 din 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 hole
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
lukes?"
THUS: They will wish to pass the
door. and you will say. Nay, sons OF
Sinan,' whereon they will spring OF
you to kill you. Then be ready and
shout aloud"
"And il they overcome u.s." asked
Goodwin, 'then the sultan would be
slain?"
NAY, for you must lock the door Of
the chamber of Salah-ed-din and hide
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 it will
be best to reveal the plot to the sultar
at once"
mo, no." answered Wulf. "Let u!
take the chance. l weary of doins
nothing here. Hassan guards the outel
gate. He will come swiftly at tn,
sound Of blows"
Good" said Masouda. IT will Sc,
that he Is there and awake. Now fare
well and pray that we may meet again
say nothing of this story to the prin
cess Rosamund until it is done with"
1t was near midnight, and the breth
rem stood in the small, domed ante
chamber from which door opened int
the sleeping rooms of Saladin. TIL,
| guard of eight mamelukes had left them
to be met by their relief in the court
yard, according to custom. but no relic
had as yet appeared in the antecham
Der.
1T would seem that Masouda's tall
is true" said Goodwin, and, going to tn
door. he locked it and hid the key be
meath a cushion.
Then they took their stand in front o
the locked door, before which hung cur
tains, standing in the shadow with tn
light from the hanging silver lamp
pouring down in front of them. Her
they waited awhile in silence till a
length they heard the tramp of men
and eight mamelukes, clad in yellow
above their mail, marched in and So
luted.
'Standr said Goodwin, and they stoo,
minute, then began TO edge forward.
''Stand! said both the brethren again
but still they edged forward.
Stand, sons of Sinan!' they said
third time. drawing their swords.
Then with hiss OF disappointed rag
the fedais came at them.
ITO be Continued.)