He
skulked behind a curtain, yet could see the motions, and hear the
words, of the Grand Master, who entered, and carefully secured
the covering of the pavilion behind him. His victim started from
sleep, and it would appear that he instantly suspected the
purpose of his old associate, for it was in a tone of alarm that
he demanded wherefore he disturbed him.
"I come to confess and to absolve thee," answered the Grand
Master.
Of their further speech the terrified dwarf remembered little,
save that Conrade implored the Grand Master not to break a
wounded reed, and that the Templar struck him to the heart with a
Turkish dagger, with the words ACCIPE HOC!--words which long
afterwards haunted the terrified imagination of the concealed
witness.
"I verified the tale," said Saladin, "by causing the body to be
examined; and I made this unhappy being, whom Allah hath made the
discoverer of the crime, repeat in your own presence the words
which the murderer spoke; and you yourselves saw the effect which
they produced upon his conscience!"
The Soldan paused, and the King of England broke silence.
Pages:
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653