Adventure Magazine, April 10, 1924 — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Making of the Morning Star throat to stifle a scream, and the chain of rubies fell to the table and slid down upon the rushes, whence Abdullah picked them up without being observed. ‘This done, the minstrel made his way quietly to the wind- whipped tapestries in a dim corner. An ivory horn sounded a mellow note in the courtyard, and the clatter of horses, led from the stables, made answer. When Hugo’s helm was laced on by a squire-at- arms, he summoned the captain of the guard and peered around the hall. “In the fiend’s name, where went the infidel? Seek him out—you, and you— and retrieve me his chain, or Piculph shall strip and flay you. He stood here but a moment agone——” “The knave hath a rare trick of forételling the mind of your Grace,” muttered Guiblo. “And his crony the English boar hath for- saken us as well, Methinks he bears you ill interit.” “Nay, the youth is a wildling no more. You dared much when you miscalled him. The man’s courage is proof, and he will seek you out ere he parts from us.’ ‘With a smile the Venetian pulled on his mailed gloves and tightened his belt. “Grant me leave to deal with him—else he will hie him to the court and brew trouble for our quaffing. Harken, lord—there be too many eyes and tongues in this hall. Once in the gullies by the river, ere the search for the infidels is ended, my men will attendthe Englishman. A blow from an ax, and he will lack his right hand. Thereafter will he bray less loudly of his wrongs.”’ The marquis shrugged. “T’ll hear no more. Yet must I ride forth lest the cursed Hospitaler suspect some- thing amiss.” Pausing at the donjon gate to tell off a score of men-at-arms to remain and secure Abdullah, he strode to his horse and signed for the clarion to sound the march. Flar- ing cressets on the walls cast a smoky light over the courtyard and the lance stream- ers of the knights. Behind these dark masses of pikemen and archers were form- ing under Piculph’s orders. Under the lifted portcullis the Hospitaler and the Longsword sat their powerful chargers impatiently, having put aside their private grievances in the presence of the common foe. Hugo glanced around and saw that Abdullah could not have left the donjon without being seen; nor was he vis- I5 ible in the courtyard. Satisfied of this, the master of the castle called for his standard to be lifted, and the first line of riders lowered their lances to pass under the portcullis, following the Sieur de la Marra over the drawbridge. Pree THE great hall was being ransacked ‘(O88 by servants and men-at-arms, who “ese turned over tables and peered into ese, clustering upon the stairs that led to the chambers above, while Mistress Bengli cried to her serving women to lead the search for the Moslem and his jewels into the kitchen and cellars. Eagerly she urged on the men and ran to one of the doorways to listen to the tumult above- stairs. Standing here in the shadow, a powerful hand closed over her mouth, holding firm her chin. “O lady,” whispered the voice of the minstrel, “would you live to greet the king, your lover, this night? A7-a, life is sweet, isit not? Nay, do not lift your hands, but walk between me and the light—so—and seek the way that leads to the kitchen— so!” Rigid with fright, Mistress Bengli stumbled along the swaying arras and turned into an archway that brought them to a narrow hall. From the corners of her eyes she saw that Abdullah had his simitar in his left hand, and the gleam of bare steel sent a chill into her veins. “Tt is not fitting, lady,’ went on the minstrel, “‘that a man of Khar should loiter in the hall of the feasters when a battle is joined. So, pray that no man of yours shall meet with us, and lead me to the stables— nay, not into the light!” While she grasped little of his speech, his intention was clear and Mistress Bengli breathed a sigh of relief when they stood in the shadow of the horse sheds. Abdullah whistled softly, and somewhere a charger neighed. Drawing the woman with him, he found and saddled his horse, taking his time; for the sheds were deserted after the departure of the riders. He had noticed a small gate in the outer wall, and toward this he walked the black stallion and tapped the bars with his sword. Trembling, she lifted the bars and set them aside, then turned the key and tugged open the gate. Abdullah glanced out and saw that the moat did not extend to this Go DOO) ANG S (©