opinion that if an angel from heaven bade Richard abandon his work he
would have answered with a curse. Well, I am poor, and of slight
consequence in the world to-day, but at least it has been vouchsafed me
to understand what a strong man and a king can feel when there are
those who would thwart his will. At present, I am powerless, as little
able to give effect to my energies as Richard himself when pent in an
Austrian prison, but I do ask that some Blondel shall free me, no
matter what the ransom, and that Fate shall set me a task worthy of the
man who fought and dreamed and planned empires out there eight
centuries ago."

Royson threw back his head, and stretched his right hand toward the
desert where lay Jaffa and Jerusalem. He was quite carried away by the
magic of the hour. He had brushed aside the cobwebs of society, and
spoke to Irene as a gallant and fearless youth might address the maid
at whose feet he hoped to lay the trophies gained in winning his
knighthood. And she, as might be expected, responded to the passionate
chord which sounded this challenge to fortune. She, too, forgot
convention, for which Heaven be praised!

"You have my prayers for your success," she whispered. "What is more, I
believe in you, and that is why I am here now, for I have come to ask
you, for my sake and the sake of one whom I love, not to leave this
ship until I bid you."

At any other moment such a request must have had a sinister sound.
Coming then, it seemed to be a direct answer to Dick's excited appeal
to the unseen power that governs men's lives. He turned and looked into
her eyes. She was so near to him that he could see the wondrous light
shining in their limpid depths. He felt the fragrance of her presence,