Part 30 (2/2)
”Now we are safe awhile,” she said with a sigh, ”or, at least, so I think. But I will lead you to where there is more light.”
Then, taking each of them by the hand, she went forward along a smooth incline, till presently they saw the moonlight, and by it discovered that they stood at the mouth of a cave which was fringed with bushes. Running up from the depths of the gulf below to this opening was a ridge or shoulder of rock, very steep and narrow.
”See the only road that leads from the citadel of Masyaf save that across the bridge,” said Masouda.
”A bad one,” answered Wulf, staring downward.
”Ay, yet horses trained to rocks can follow it. At its foot is the bottom of the gulf, and a mile or more away to the left a deep cleft which leads to the top of the mountain and to freedom.
Will you not take it now? By tomorrow's dawn you might be far away.”
”And where would the lady Rosamund be?” asked Wulf.
”In the harem of the lord Sinan--that is, very soon,” she answered, coolly.
”Oh, say it not!” he exclaimed, clasping her arm, while G.o.dwin leaned back against the wall of the cave.
”Why should I hide the truth? Have you no eyes to see that he is enamoured of her loveliness--like others? Listen; a while ago my master Sinan chanced to lose his queen--how, we need not ask, but it is said that she wearied him. Now, as he must by law, he mourns for her a month, from full moon to full moon. But on the day after the full moon--that is, the third morning from now--he may wed again, and I think there will be a marriage. Till then, however, your sister is as safe as though she yet sat at home in England before Salah-ed-din dreamed his dream.”
”Therefore,” said G.o.dwin, ”within that time she must either escape or die.”
”There is a third way,” answered Masouda, shrugging her shoulders. ”She might stay and become the wife of Sinan.”
Wulf muttered something between his teeth, then stepped towards her threateningly, saying:
”Rescue her, or--”
”Stand back, pilgrim John,” she said, with a laugh. ”If I rescue her, which indeed would be hard, it will not be for fear of your great sword.”
”What, then, will avail, Masouda?” asked G.o.dwin in a sad voice.
”To promise you money would be useless, even if we could.”
”I am glad that you spared me that insult,” she replied with flas.h.i.+ng eyes, ”for then there had been an end. Yet,” she added more humbly, ”seeing my home and business, and what I appear to be,” and she glanced at her dress and the empty cup in her hand, ”it had not been strange. Now hear me, and forget no word. At present you are in favour with Sinan, who believes you to be the brothers of the lady Rosamund, not her lovers; but from the moment he learns the truth your doom is sealed. Now what the Frank Lozelle knows, that the Al-je-bal may know at any time--and will know, if these should meet.
”Meanwhile, you are free; so to-morrow, while you ride about the garden, as you will do, take note of the tall rock that stands without, and how to reach it from any point, even in the dark.
To-morrow, also, when the moon is up, they will lead you to the narrow bridge, to ride your horses to and fro there, that they may learn not to fear it in that light. When you have stabled them go into the gardens and come hither un.o.bserved, as the place being so far away you can do. The guards will let you pa.s.s, thinking only that you desire to drink a cup of wine with some fair friend, as is the custom of our guests. Enter this cave--here is the key,” and she handed it to Wulf, ”and if I be not there, await me. Then I will tell you my plan, if I have any, but until then I must scheme and think. Now it grows late--go.”
”And you, Masouda,” said G.o.dwin, doubtfully; ”how will you escape this place?”
”By a road you do not know of, for I am mistress of the secrets of this city. Still, I thank you for your thought of me. Go, I say, and lock the door behind you.”
So they went in silence, doing as she bade them, and walked back through the gardens, that now seemed empty enough, to the stable-entrance of the guest-house, where the guards admitted them without question.
That night the brethren slept together in one bed, fearing that if they lay separate they might be searched in their sleep and not awake. Indeed, it seemed to them that, as before, they heard footsteps and voices in the darkness.
Next morning, when they had breakfasted, they loitered awhile, hoping to win speech with Rosamund, or sight of her, or at the least that Masouda would come to them; but they saw no Rosamund, and no Masouda came. At length an officer appeared, and beckoned to them to follow him. So they followed, and were led through the halls and pa.s.sages to the terrace of justice, where Sinan, clad in his black robe, sat as before beneath a canopy in the midst of the sun-lit marble floor. There, too, beside him, also beneath the canopy and gorgeously apparelled, sat Rosamund. They strove to advance and speak with her, but guards came between them, pointing out a place where they must stand a few yards away. Only Wulf said in a loud voice, in English:
”Tell us, Rosamund, is it well with you?” Lifting her pale face, she smiled and nodded.
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