"Is great! Is great!" echoed his companions.
There was a moment's silence broken only by the clinking of the gold as the Italian thrust the bag into his jupon.
"You are sure of this?" demanded the Moslem with sudden ferocity.
"Would I dare to lie to Malek-Adel?" returned Mocenigo. "How long would I last after he discovered it?"
"Perchance long enough to order your shroud. But what madness hath possessed the Frank that——"
There was a crash as Ralph, wearied of standing in one position, tripped over a tussock of grass and fell against the hut wall. The men inside leaped to their feet with a flash of steel. But before they could recover from their surprise Matteo had flung wide the door.
"In upon them," he cried. "Christ and the Sepulchre!"
"A Chesby! A Chesby!" shouted Hugh.
He caught a brief glimpse of Mocenigo. Then the torches went out in a shower of sparks, and the darkness was filled with the clash of swordplay.