Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-13

Presently they heard voices at the
gate and, looking up, saw n woman
wrapped in a long cloak, talking with
the guard, who with a laugh thrust out
his arm. as though to pace it round
her. Then a knife flashed, and the SOL
der stepped back, still laughing, and
opened the wicket. The woman came
IN. 1t was Masouda. They rose and
bowed to her, but she passed before
them into the house. Thither they fol.
lowed, while the soldier at the cute
mockery Godwin's cheek grew red.
Even in the cool, darkencd room she
noticed it and said bitterly enough:
what does it matter? Such insults
are my daily bread whom they be-
lieve''- And she stopped.
"Thcy had best say nothing Of what
they believe to me-" muttered Goodwin.
81 thank you" Masouda answered,
with a sweet, swift smile, and, throw
ing off her cloak. stood before them an
yelled. clad in the white robes that he
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 I am not. since other.
wise I should win no entry to this
house"
What of our lady Rosamund?" 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-
trcss, 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 II
there We're any hope Of seeing her. to
which Masouda answered:
None" adding in a low voice. ~
come upon another business. Do you
brethren wish to do Salah-ed-din n
scrvice-to save his lifc-for which he
may be grateful or may not. according
TO his mood?'
Speak on" said Goodwin, land tell
us how we two Franks can ave the
life OF the sultan of the east"
do you still remember Sinan and
his fedais: Yes; they are not easily
forgotten, are they7 Well, tonight he
has plotted to murder Salah-ed-din and
afterward to murder you If he can and
t" carry away ysur lady Rosamuno II
he can or, failing that, to murder her
also. oh, the tale IS true enough. l
have it from II of them under the
~signet-surely that signet has served
us well-who believes. poor fool, that
l am In the plot. Now. you are the
officers Of the bodyguard who watch
in the antcchambcr 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 a false order.
In their stead will come eight murder
ers. disguised In the robes and arms of
mamclukes. They look to deceive and
cut you down, kill Salah-cd-din and es-
cape by the farther door. Can you hold
think you"
I'VE have done so before and will
try" answered Wifi. but how shall
We know that they are not name
lukes?"
"Thus: They will wieh TO pass the
door, and you will say. Nay, SON OF
Sinan,' whereon they will spring on
you to kill you, Then be ready and
shout aloud"
"And if they overcome u.s." asked
Goodwin, then the sultan would be
slainf"
NAY, for you must lock the door of
the chamber Of Salah-ed-d 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 sultan
at once"
mo, no." answered Wulf. "Let us
take the chance. | weary Of doing
nothing here. Hassan guards the outer
6UlC. AIC wiz ohh VIII 1l NV
sound Of blows"
Good" said Masouda. Il will see
that he is there and awake. Now fare
well and pray that we may meet again
l say nothing of this story to the prin
cess Rosamund until 1t Is done with"
1t was "a midnight, and the breth
rem stood in the small, domed ante
chamber from which a door opened into
the sleeping roons Of Saladin. The
guard of eight mamelukes had left them
to he met by their relief in the court
yard, according to custom. but no rellol
had as yet appeared in the antecham
Der.
TT would seem that Masouda's tai,
is true" said Goodwin. and, going to the
door, he locked it and hid the key be
meath q cushion.
Then they took their stand in front OF
the locked door. before which hung cur
tains, standing in the shadow with thu
light from the hanging silver lamps
pouring down in front Of them. Herr
they waited awhile ia silence till a
length they heard the tramp of men
and eight mamelukes. clad In yellow
above their mail, marched in and ga
luted.
"Stand!" said Goodwin, and they stool
a minute, then began to edge forward.
"Stand" said both the brethren again
hut still they edged forward.