Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-05-04

| S., once in a battle saved his life from the Saracens at the risk of my own, whereon he swore that did l summon him from the ends of the earth he 1 would come to me if l needed help. Moreover, he gave me his signet ring as token, and, by virtue of it. so he said, power in his dominions equal to his own, though these l never visited. You know it." and, holding up his hand, Sir Andrew showed them heavy gold ring in which was set black stone with red veins running across the stone In the exact shape of q dagger, and be- heath the dagger words cut in unknown characters.
 "So in my plight I bethought me of Jebal and found means to send him a letter sealed with his ring. Nor did he :, forget his promise, for within twelve days Zobeide and I were galloping for Beirut on two horses so swift that all the cavalry of Ayoub could not over take them. We reached the city. and there were married, Rosamund There, too, your mother was baptized a Chris tian. Thence, since it was not safe for US to stay in the east, we took ship and came safe home, bearing this ring of Jebal with us, for I would not give it up, as his servants demanded that I should do except to him alone
 That is the story. Since then Sal adin, who in those days was but a no- ble youth. has become the greatest sul- tan that the east has ever known, and, having been told of you, Rosamund, by that traitor Lozelle, he seeks to take you in your mothers place, and, daugh- ter, tell you that fear him.
 At least we have year or longer in which to prepare ourselves or to hide" said Rosamund. His palmer must travel back to the east before my uncle Saladin can have our answer
 Aye" said Sir Andrew, perhaps we have year."
 What of the attack on the quay ?' asked Goodwin, who had been thinking 1.-The knight Lozelle was named there Yet if Saladin had to do with it, it seems strange that the blow should have come before the word.''
 Sir Andrew brooded awhile, then said:
 Bring in this palmer. will ques- tion him.
 So the man Nicholas, who was found still eating as though his hunger would never be satisfied, was brought in by Wuf. He bowed low before the old knight and Rosamund, studying them the while with his sharp eyes, and the roof and the floor and every other de tail of the chamber. for those eyes of his seemed to miss nothing.
 You have brought me a letter from far away. Sir Palmer, who are named 1 Nicholas said Sir Andrew. s.I find it strange that one in your holy garb should be chosen as the messenger of Saladin, with whom Christian men have little to do.'
 But Saladin has much to do with Christian men, Sir Andrew. Thus he takes them prisoner even in times of peace, as he did me-"
 "Did he, then, take the knight Lozelle prisoner?'
 '"The knight Lozelle?" repeated the palmer. Was he big, red faced man, with scar upon his forehead, who al ways wore a black cloak over his maily"
 "That might be be-"
 "Then he was not taken prisoner, but he came to visit the sultan at Damas- GUS while I lay in bonds there. After ward he left. and at Jaffa heard that he had sailed for Europe three months before did"
 Now the brethren look at each other, So Lozelle scds in England. But Sir Andrew made no comment, only he said
 '"Tell me your story, and be careful that you speak the truth"
 "Why should I not who have noth- ing to hide?" answered Nicholas. "I was captured by some Arabs as I journeyed to the Jordan upon a pill grimage, who. when they found that had no goods to be robbed of, would have Killed me. This. indeed. they were about to do. had not some of. Saladin's soldiers come by and commanded them to hold their hands and give me over to them. They did so, and the soldiers took me to Damascus. There was i'm prisOned, but not close, and then it was thatI saw Lozelle. or, at least, Chris tian man who had some such name and, as he seemed. to be in favor with the Saracens,' begged him to intercede for me. Afterward l. was brought be- fore the court of .Saladin, and, having questioned me, the sultan himself told me. that must either worship the false prophet or die. to which you can guess my answer.
 Three days later Saladin sent for me again and offered to spare my life if would swear an oath, which oath. was that should take certain pack age and deliver it to you or to your daughter named the Lady Rosamund, here at your hall of Steeple, in Essex, and bring back the answer to Damas- |