s master was in the harem, and could not be
disturbed. The Marquess, who so far had been all smiles and interest,
was now greatly annoyed; but there was no help for that. In the blue
court he must needs wait for nearly three hours. By the time he was
ushered into the milky light of the audience chamber he was faint with
rage and apprehension; he was dazzled, he stumbled over the blood-red
carpet, arrived fainting at the throne. There he stayed, tongue-cloven,
while the colourless Lord of Assassins blinked inscrutably upon him,
with eyes so narrow that he could not tell whether he so much as saw
him; and the adepts, rigid by the tribune-wall, stared at their own
knees.

'What do you need of me, Marquess of Montferrat? 'asked the old hierarch
in his most remote voice. The Marquess gulped some dignity into himself.

'Excellent sir,' he said, 'I seek the amity of one king to another,
alliance in a common good cause, the giving and receiving of benefits,
and similar courtesies.'

These propositions were written down on tablets, and carefully
scrutinized by the Old Man of Musse, who said at last--

'Let us take these considerations in order. Of what kings do you
propound the amity?'

'Of yourself, sir,' replied the Marquess, 'and of myself.'

'I am not a king,' said Sinan, 'and had not heard that you were one
either.'

'I am King-elect of Jerusalem,' the Marquess replied with stiffness.
The Old Man raised his wrinkled forehead.

'Well,' he said, 'let us get on. What is your common good cause?'

'Eh, eh,' said the Marquess, brightening, 'it is the cause of righteous
punishment. I strike at your enemy the Soldan through his friend King
Richard.' The Old Man pondered him.

'Do you strike, Marquess?' he asked at length.

'Sir,' the Marquess made haste to answer, 'your question is just. It so
happens that I cannot strike King Richard because I cannot reach him. I
admit it: I am quite frank. But you can strike him, I believe. In so
doing, let me observe, you will deal a mortal blow at Saladin, who loves
him, and makes treaties with him to your detriment and the scandal of
Christendom.'

'Do you speak of the scandal of Christendom?' asked Sinan, twinkling.

'Alas, I must,' said the Marquess, very mournful.

'The cause is near to your heart, I see, Marquess.'

'It is in it,' replied the Marquess. The Old Man considered him afresh;
then inquired where the Melek might be found.

The Marquess told him. 'We believe he