The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-05-29

gate and, looking up, saw woman
the guard, who with laugh thrust out
his arm, as though to place 1t round
her. Then knife flashed. and the sol
dier 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 gate
laughed again. and at the sound of his
mockery Godwin's cheek grew red.
Even in the cool, darkened room she
noticed it and said bitterly enough:
what does it matter? Such insults
are my daily bread whom they he
lieve''- And she stopped.
They had best say nothing Of what
they believe to me-" muttered Goodwin.
Il thank you," Masouda answered.
with q 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
we'll and were blazoned on the breast
with the cogniZance of Baalbec. We'll
for you" she went on, that they hold
me to be what | am not. since other
wise 1 should win no entry to this
house."
What of our lady Rosamund?' broke
in Wulf awkwartily, 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 we'll 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 if
there were any hope of seeing her, to
which Masouda answered.:
"None." adding in a low voice. Il
come upon another business. Do you
brethren wish to do Salah-ed-din
service-to save his life-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 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 ht
has plotted TO murder Salah- ed-dn and
afterward to murder you if 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
/ 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-dn 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
mamelukes. They look to deceive and
cut you down, kill Salah-ed-din and es-
| cape by the farther door, Can you hold
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 OH
YOU to kill you. Then be ready and
| shout aloud 80"
land if 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
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.'
NO, no." answered Wulf. LET us
/ take the chance. | weary of doing
nothing here. Hassan guards the outer
gate. He will come swiftly at the
! 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.
/ say nothing of this story TO the prin-
/ cess Rosamund until it is done with"
1t was near midnight, and the breth-
! \
chamber from which door opened into
the sleeping rooms Of 'Saladin. The
guard of eight mamelukes had left them,
to be met by their relief in the court.
] ward according to custom. but no relief