What is it ?" asked Godwin gloomily.
"Only to save his life--for which he may be grateful, or may not, according to his mood." "Speak on," said Godwin, "and 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, to-night he has plotted to murder Salah-ed-din, and afterwards 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.

I have it from one of them under the Signet--surely that Signet has served us well--who believes, poor fool, that I am in the plot.

Now, you are the officers of the bodyguard who watch in the ante-chamber to-night, 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-din will not arrive; they will be decoyed away by a false order.

In their stead will come eight murderers, disguised in the robes and arms of Mameluks.