er battlement.

"Sir Hugh Lozelle," answered Godwin in a solemn voice.

Then the head of Rosamund fell forward on her breast, and for a
while she seemed to sleep.

Wulf went to his horse, turned it about on the bridge, and
throwing his arm around its neck, rested for a space. Then he
mounted and walked slowly towards the inner gate. Pushing through
the guard and officers, Godwin rode out to meet him.

"Bravely done, brother," he said, when they came face to face.
"Say, are you hurt?"

"Bruised and shaken--no more," answered Wulf.

"A good beginning, truly. Now for the rest," said Godwin. Then he
glanced over his shoulder, and added, "See, they are leading
Rosamund away, but Sinan remains, to speak with you doubtless,
for Masouda beckons."

"What shall we do?" asked Wulf. "Make a plan, brother, for my
head swims."

"Hear what he has to say. Then, as your horse is not wounded
either, ride for it when I give the signal as Masouda bade us.
There is no other way. Pretend that you are wounded."

So, Godwin leading, while the multitude roared a welcome to the
conquering Wulf who had borne himself so bravely for their
pleasure, they rode to the mouth of the bridge and halted in the
little space before the archway. There Al-je-bal spoke by
Masouda.

"A noble fray," he said. "I did not think that Franks could fight
so well; Say, Sir Knight, will you feast with me in my palace?"

"I thank you, lord," answered Wulf, "but I must rest while my
brother tends my hurts," and he pointed to blood upon his mail.
"To-morrow, if it pleases you."

Sinan stared at them and stroked his beard, while they trembled,
waiting for the word of fate.

It came.

"Good. So be it. To-morrow I wed the lady Rose of Roses, and you
two--her brothers--shall give her to me, as is fitting," and he
sneered. "Then also you shall receive the reward of valour--a
great reward, I promise you."

While he spoke Godwin, staring upward, had noted a little
wandering cloud floating across the moon. Slowly it covered it,
and the place grew dim.

"Now," he whispered, and bowing to the Al-je-bal, they pushed
their horses through the open gate where the mob closed in on
them, thus for a little while holding back the escort from
following on their heels. They spoke to Flame and Smoke, and the
good horses plunged onward side by side, separating the crowd as
the prows of boats separate the water. In ten paces it grew thin,
in thirty it was behind them, for