tter to you?"

"Not much, except that, as we are going to visit Al-je-bal, of
course we think ourselves fortunate to have met his daughter."

"Going to visit Al-je-bal? Yes, you hinted as much upon the ship,
did you not? Perhaps that is why I came to meet you. Well, your
throats will be cut before ever you reach the first of his
castles."

"I think not," said Godwin, and, putting his hand into his
breast, he drew thence a ring, with which he began to play
carelessly.

"Whence that ring?" she said, with fear and wonder in her eyes.
"It is--" and she ceased.

"From one to whom it was given and who has charged us with a
message. Now, hostess, let us be plain with one another. You know
a great deal about us, but although it has suited us to call
ourselves the pilgrims Peter and John, in all this there is
nothing of which we need be ashamed, especially as you say that
our secret is no secret, which I can well believe. Now, this
secret being out, I propose that we remove ourselves from your
roof, and go to stay with our own people at the castle, where, I
doubt not, we shall be welcome, telling them that we would bide
no longer with one who is called a spy, whom we have discovered
also to be a 'daughter of Al-je-bal.' After which, perhaps, you
will bide no longer in Beirut, where, as we gather, spies and
the 'daughters of Al-je-bal' are not welcome."

She listened with an impassive face, and answered: "Doubtless you
have heard that one of us who was so named was burned here
recently as a witch?"

"Yes," broke in Wulf, who now learned this fact for the first
time, "we heard that."

"And think to bring a like fate upon me. Why, foolish men, I can
lay you both dead before ever those words pass your lips."

"You think you can," said Godwin, "but for my part I am sure that
this is not fated, and am sure also that you do not wish to harm
us any more than we wish to harm you. To be plain, then, it is
necessary for us to visit Al-je-bal. As chance has brought us
together--if it be chance--will you aid us in this, as I think
you can, or must we seek other help?"

"I do not know. I will tell you after four days. If you are not
satisfied with that, go, denounce me, do your worst, and I will
do mine, for which I should be sorry."

"Where is the security that you will not do it if we are
satisfied?" asked Wulf bluntly.

"You must take the word of a 'daughter of Al-je-bal.' I have none
other to offer," she replied.

"Th