Not wishing to die, I said that I would do this, if the Sultan passed his word, which he never breaks, that I should be set free afterwards." "And now you are safe in England, do you purpose to return to Damascus with the answer, and, if so, why ?" "For two reasons, Sir Andrew.

First, because I have sworn to do so, and I do not break my word any more than does Saladin.
Secondly, because I continue to wish to live, and the Sultan promised me that if I failed in my mission, he would bring about my death wherever I might be, which I am sure he has the power to do by magic or otherwise.

Well, the rest of the tale is short.
The chest was handed over to me as you see it, and with it money sufficient for my faring to and fro and something to spare.

Then I was escorted to Joppa, where I took passage on a ship bound to Italy, where I found another ship named the Holy Mary sailing for Calais, which we reached after being nearly cast away.

Thence I came to Dover in a fishing boat, landing there eight days ago, and having bought a mule, joined some travellers to London, and so on here." "And how will you return ?" The palmer shrugged his shoulders.
"As best I may, and as quickly.