Arab countries -- Fiction; Crusades -- Fiction; Great Britain -- History -- Medieval period, 1066-1485 -- Fiction
Again Saladin motioned to the secretary, who read the words that had
been taken down from the lips of the captain Abdullah. They demanded to
be allowed to examine the captain Abdullah, and learned that he was
already dead. Then the eunuch Mesrour was carried forward, for walk he
could not, owing to the wound that Abdullah had given him, and told all
his tale, how he had suspected Abdullah, and, following him, had heard
him and one of the brethren speaking in the tent, and the words that
passed, and afterwards seen Abdullah with the jewel in his hand.
When he had finished Godwin asked which of them he had heard speaking
with Abdullah, and he answered that he could not say, as their voices
were so alike, but one voice only had spoken.
Then Rosamund was ordered to give her testimony, and said, truly
enough, that she knew nothing of the plot and had not thought of this
flight. Masouda also swore that she now heard of it for the first time.
After this the secretary announced that there was no more evidence, and
prayed of the Sultan to give judgment in the matter.
“Against which of us,” asked Godwin, “seeing that both the dead and the
living witness declared they heard but one voice, and whose that voice
was they did not know? According to your own law, you cannot condemn a
man against whom there is no good testimony.”
“There is testimony against one of you,” answered Saladin sternly,
“that of two witnesses, as is required, and, as I have warned you long
ago, that man shall die. Indeed, both of you should die, for I am sure
that both are guilty. Still, you have been put upon your trial
according to the law, and as a just judge I will not strain the law
against you. Let the guilty one die by beheading at sundown, the hour
at which he planned to commit his crime. The other may go free with the
citizens of Jerusalem who depart to-night, bearing my message to the
Frankish leaders in that holy town.”
“Which of us, then, is to die, and which to go free?” asked Godwin.
“Tell us, that he who is doomed may prepare his soul.”
“Say you, who know the truth,” answered Saladin.
“We admit nothing,” said Godwin; “yet, if one of us must die, I as the
elder claim that right.”
“And I claim it as the younger. The jewel was Hassan’s gift to me; who
else could give it to Abdullah?” added Wulf, speaking for the first
time, whereat all the Saracens there assembled, brave men who loved a
knightly deed, murmured in admiration, and even Saladin said:
“Well spoken, both of you. So it seems that both must die.”
Then Rosamund stepped forward and threw herself upon her knees before
him, exclaiming:
“Sire, my uncle, such is not your justice, that two should be slain for
the offence of one, if offence there be. If you know not which is
guilty, spare them both, I beseech you.”
He stretched out his hand and raised her from her knees: then thought
awhile, and said:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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