“As a Christian?”
“Yea; nor do I fear confession, since I am speaking to those who abhor the Crescent.”
“A pious Jew would as soon adhere to Astarte with her orgies as to bow to the mooned-crown she wore.”
“Jews? No, not Jews! Such would not sooner run from the moon-mark than they would from the shadows which fall down about you from yon grand and awful sign.”
The speaker pointed to the crossed spire above, as he spoke.
“No more avoidance; we are brethren. I’m Sir Charleroy de Griffin, Teutonic knight.”
“And not unknown. The story of thy valor, even here, lives in the bosoms of true companions. I’m a Knight Hospitaler of Rhodes, yet fameless.”
The two men came closely together; there were a few secret tests. The Hospitaler said:
“In hoc signo vinces!”
Sir Charleroy crossed his feet, stretched out his arms and murmured something heard only by his comrade. It made the other’s eyes lighten with pleasure.