"No, my brother," said Musa, very simply, "I do not deny. But for Mary's sake do not throw your life away."
The Norman laughed bitterly.
"By your 'doom' I perish as soon over my cups at St. Julien as on the siege tower at Jerusalem. God knows what comes to-morrow. Tell Iftikhar Eddauleh that I ask no greater favor from Heaven than to meet him once more face to face. Yet after his craven flight at Antioch I wonder he has courage to bear himself so valiantly on the walls."
"I will tell him; and believe me, he was no coward, as I hear, at Antioch. From his own lips to-day I learned he wishes nothing better than to meet you."
"And you will guard Mary from him?—ever?"
"While Allah grants me breath."
"You are a true brother, Musa, son of Abdallah!" cried the Norman, pressing the other's hand in a grasp that brought pain even to those fingers of steel. "Sometimes I think you are a better friend to me than I to myself."
"And no message for Mary?" asked the Spaniard, softly.
Richard drew his hand across his face. He did not speak for a long while. Then the words came very slowly:—
"Either to-morrow at this time we are masters of the city, or you can know that I am discharged forever of all vows and warfare. Does Mary know what we said together, at parting at Antioch?"