The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-08-23


The brethren bowed to them, but
saladin, whose eyes were full OF rnge.
took no notice OF their salutatlon. For
a moment there was silence, then Sal.
adm babe secretary read the charge,
which was brief. It was that they had
consplred to steal away the Princess
of Baalbec.
Where is the evidence against usT'
asked Goodwin boldly. 1.-THE sultan Is
just and conviets no man save on tes-'
tlmony."
Again saladin motioned to the secre
tary, who read the words that had
been taken down from the lips of the
captain Abdullah. They demqnded to
be allowed to examine the captain Alb
dullah and learned that he was al.
ready dead Then the eunuch Mesrour
was carried forward, for walk he could
not, owing TO the wound that Abdullah
had given him, and told all his tale, how
I he had suspected Abdullah and. fol-
lowing him, had heard him and one Of
the brethren speaking in the tent and
the words that passed and afterward
seen Abdullah with the jewel In his
hand.
When he had finished, Goodwin asked
which Of them be had heard speaking
with Abdullah, and he answered that
he could not say, as their voices were
so alike, but one voice only had spoken.
Then Rosamund was ordered to give
her testimony and said, truly enough,
that she knew nothing Of the plot and
had not thought OF this flight. Masouda
also swore that she now heard Of II for
the frst time. After this the secretary
announced that there was no more evil
dence and prayed Of the sultan to give
Judgment In the matter.
Against which of u.s." asked Cod
win, seeing that both the dead and the
living witness declared they heard but
one voice, and whose that voice was
they did not know2 According to your
own law, you cannot condemn a man
against whom there Is no good testl-
mony."
There is testimony against one Of
you" answered Saladin sternly, that
Of two witnesses, as is required, and,
as l have warned you long ago, that
man shall die Indeed, both OF you
should die, for am sure that both are
guilty. Still, you have been put upon
your trial according to the law, and as
a just Judge | will not strain the law
age INST you Let the guilty one die by
beheading at shutdown, the hour at
which he planned to commit his crime.
The other may go free with the citizens
of Jerusalem, who depart tonight, bear
ing my message to the Brankish lead
ers in that holy town"
owe admit nothing" said Goodwin.
"Yet, II one Of US must die, as the
elder claim that right"
"And claim It as the younger. The
Jewel was Hassan's gift to me. Who
else could give 1t to Abdullah2" added
Wulf.
"Well spoken, both Of you. SO 1t
seems that both must die"
Then Rosamund stepped forward and
threw herself upon her knees before
him, exclaimlng:
"Sire. my uncle, such is not your JUS
tice that two should be slain for the
offense of one, If offense there be. II
you know not which is guilty, spare
them both, beseech you"
He stretched out his hand and rails
ed her from her knees.
"Nay, plead not with me, for how
ever much you love him the guilty man
must suffer as he deserves, but OF this
matter Allah alone knows the truth"
Now, behind saladin stood that old
and famous lmaum who had been with
him and Hassan when he commanded
the brethren to depart from Damascus.
Leaning forward, he whispered in his
masters ear, who considered q mo-
ment, then answered him:
ut is good. Do So"
So the lmaum left the court and re-
turned presently carrying two small
boxes Of sandalw God tied with SILK and
sealed, so like each other that none
could tell them apart, which boxes be
gave to Saladin.
"In one OF these" said the sultan, "is
that jewel known as the enchanted star
and the luck Of the house Of Hassan
In the other is a pebble Of the same
1 weight. Come, my niece, take these
boxes and give them 10 your klnsmen,
to each the box you will The jewel
that is called the star Of Hassan iss
magical and has virtue, so they say
Let It choose, therefore, which OF these
knights is ripe for death, and let him
perish in whose box the star Is found
"Now," muttered the imaum into the
ear of his master, NOW at length we
shall learn which It Is Of these two
men that the lady loves"