We stood, whether on that day or another I do not know, in some hall ofjudgment. Martina whispered to me that a small, dark man was seated inthe chair of state, and about him priests and others. This was the EmirObaidallah. Musa, that had been Emir, who, she said, was fat and sullen,was there also, and whenever his glance fell upon Heliodore I felt hershiver at my side. So was the Patriarch Politian who pleaded our cause.The case was long, so long that, being courteous as ever, they gave uscushions to sit on, also, in an interval, food and sherbet.
Musa claimed Heliodore as his slave. An officer who prosecuted claimedthat Allah having given me, their enemy and a well-known general whohad done them much damage, into their hands, I should be put to death.Politian answered on behalf of all of us, saying that we had harmed noman. He added that as there was a truce between the Christians and theMoslems, I could not be made to suffer the penalties of war in a time ofpeace, who had come to Egypt but to seek a maid to whom I was affianced.Moreover, that even if it were so, the murder of prisoners was not oneof those penalties.
The Emir listened to all but said little. At length, however, he askedwhether we were willing to become Moslems, since if so he thought thatwe might go free. We answered that we were not willing.
"Then it would seem," he said, "that the lady Heliodore, having beentaken in war, must be treated as a prisoner of war, the only questionbeing to whom she belongs."
Now Musa interrupted angrily, shouting out that as to this there was nodoubt, since she belonged to him, who had captured her during his tenureof office.
The Emir thought a while, and we waited trembling. At last he gavejudgment, saying:
"The General Olaf the Blind, who in Byzantium was known as OlafRed-Sword or as Michael, and who while in the service of the EmpressIrene often made war against the followers of the Prophet, but whoafterwards lost his eyes at the hands of this same evil woman, is a manof whom all the world has heard. Particularly have we Moslems heard ofhim, seeing that as governor of Lesbos in recent days he inflicted agreat defeat upon our navy, slaying many thousands and taking othersprisoner. But as it chances God, Who bides His time to work justice, seta bait for him in the shape of a fair woman. On this bait he has beenhooked, notwithstanding all his skill and cunning, and delivered intoour hands, having come into Egypt disguised as a beggar in order to seekout that woman. Still, as he is so famous a man, and as at present thereis a truce between us and the Empire of the East, which truce raisescertain doubtful points of high policy, I decree that his case beremitted to the Caliph Harun-al-Rashid, my master, and that he beconveyed to Baghdad there to await judgment. With him will go the womanwhom he alleges to be his niece, but who, as we are informed, was one ofthe waiting-ladies of the Empress Irene. Against her there is nothing tobe said save that she may be a Byzantine spy.
"Now I come to the matter of the lady Heliodore, who is reported to bethe wife or the lover or the affianced of this General Olaf, a questionof which God alone knows the truth. This lady Heliodore is a person ofhigh descent and ancient race. She is the only child of the late PrinceMagas, who claimed to have the blood of the old Pharaohs in his veins,and who within this year was defeated and slain by my predecessorin office, the Emir Musa. The said Emir, having captured the ladyHeliodore, purposed to place her in his harem, as he had a right todo, seeing that she refused the blessings of the Faith. As it chanced,however, she escaped from him, as it is told by stabbing the eunuch incharge of her. At least it is certain that this eunuch was found dead,though by whom he was killed is _not_ certain. Now that she has beentaken again, the lord Musa claims the woman as his spoil and demandsthat I should hand her over to him. Yet it seems to me that if she isthe spoil of anyone, she belongs to the Emir governing Egypt at the dateof her recapture. It was only by virtue of his office as Emir, and notby gift, purchase, or marriage contract, that the lord Musa came intopossession of her, which possession was voided by her flight before shewas added to his household and he acquired any natural rights over herin accordance with our law. Now for my part, I, as Emir, make no claimto this woman, holding it a hateful thing before God to force one intomy household who has no wish to dwell there, especially when I knowher to be married or affianced to another man. Still, as here alsoare involved high questions of law, I command that the lady Heliodore,daughter of the late Prince Magas, shall also be conveyed with allcourtesy and honour to the Caliph Harun at Baghdad, there to abide hisjudgment of her case. The matter is finished. Let the officers concernedcarry out my decree and answer for the safety of these prisoners withtheir lives."
"The matter is not finished," shouted the ex-Emir Musa. "You,Obaidallah, have uttered this false judgment because your heart is blacktowards me whom you have displaced."
"Then appeal against it," said Obaidallah, "but know that if you attemptto lay hands upon this lady, my orders are that you be cut down as anenemy to the law. Patriarch of the Christians, you sail for Baghdad tovisit the Caliph at his request in a ship that he has sent for you. Intoyour hands I give these prisoners under guard, knowing that you willdeal well with them, who are of your false faith. To you also who havethe Caliph's ear, Allah knows why, I will entrust letters making truereport of all this matter. Let proper provision be made for the comfortof the General Olaf and of those with him. Musa, may your greetings atthe Court of Baghdad be such as you deserve; meanwhile cease to troubleme."
At the door of that hall I was separated from Heliodore and Martinaand led to some house or prison, where I was given a large room withservants to wait upon me. Here I slept that night, and on the morrowasked when we sailed for Beirut on our way to Baghdad. The chief of theservants answered that he did not know. During that day I was visitedby Yusuf, the officer who had captured us on board the _Diana_. He alsotold me that he did not know when we sailed, but certainly it would notbe for some days. Further, he said that I need have no fear for the ladyHeliodore and Martina, as they were well treated in some other place.Then he led me into a great garden, where he said I was at liberty towalk whenever I pleased.
Thus began perhaps the most dreadful time of waiting and suspense in allthis life of mine, seeing that it was the longest. Every few days theofficer Yusuf would visit me and talk of many matters, for we becamefriends. Only of Heliodore and Martina he could or would tell menothing, nor of when we were to set out on our journey to Baghdad.I asked to be allowed to speak with the Patriarch Politian, but heanswered that this was impossible, as he had been called away fromAlexandria for a little while. Nor could I have audience with the EmirObaidallah, for he too had been called away.
Now my heart was filled with terrors, for I feared lest in this wayor in that Heliodore had fallen into the hands of the accursed Musa. Iprayed Yusuf to tell me the truth of the matter, whereon he swore by theProphet that she was safe, but would say no more. Nor did this comfortme much, since for aught I knew he might mean she was safe in death.I was aware, further, that the Moslems held it no crime to deceive aninfidel. Week was added to week, and still I languished in this richprison. The best of garments and food were brought to me; I was evengiven wine. Kind hands tended me and led me from place to place. Ilacked nothing except freedom and the truth. Doubt and fear preyed uponmy heart till at length I fell ill and scarcely cared to walk in thegarden. One day when Yusuf visited me I told him that he would not needto come many more times, since I felt that I was going to die.
"Do not die," he answered, "since then perchance you will find you havedone so in vain," and he left me.
On the following evening he returned and told me that he had broughta physician to see me, a certain Mahommed, who was standing before me.Although I had no hope from any physician, I prayed this Mahommed to beseated, whereon Yusuf left us, closing the door behind him.
"Be pleased to set out your case, General Olaf," said Mahommed in agrave, quiet voice, "for know that I am sent by the Caliph himself tominister to you."
"How can that be, seeing that he is in Baghdad?" I answered. Still, Itold him my ailments.
> When I had finished he said:
"I perceive that you suffer more from your mind than from your body. Beso good, now, as to repeat to me the tale of your life, of which I havealready heard something. Tell me especially of those parts of it whichhave to do with the lady Heliodore, daughter of Magas, of your blindingby Irene for her sake, and of your discovery of her in Egypt, where yousought her disguised as a beggar."
"Why should I tell you all my story, sir?"
"That I may know how to heal you of your sickness. Also, General Olaf, Iwill be frank with you. I am more than a mere physician; I have certainpowers under the Caliph's seal, and it will be wise on your part to openall your heart to me."
Now I reflected that there could be little harm in repeating to thisstrange doctor what so many already knew. So I told him everything, andthe tale was long.
"Wondrous! Most wondrous!" said the grave-voiced physician when I hadfinished. "Yet to me the strangest part of your history is that playedtherein by the lady Martina. Had she been your lover, now, one mighthave understood--perhaps," and he paused.
"Sir Physician," I answered, "the lady Martina has been and is no morethan my friend."
"Ah! Now I see new virtues in your religion, since we Moslems do notfind such friends among those women who are neither our mothers nor oursisters. Evidently the Christian faith must have power to change thenature of women, which I thought to be impossible. Well, General Olaf, Iwill consider of your case, and I may tell you that I have good hopes offinding a medicine by which it can be cured, all save your sight, whichin this world God Himself cannot give back to you. Now I have a favourto ask. I see that in this room of yours there is a curtain hiding thebed of the servant who sleeps with you. I desire to see another patienthere, and that this patient should not see you. Of your goodness willyou sit upon the bed behind that curtain, and will you swear to me onyour honour as a soldier that whatever you may hear you will in no wayreveal yourself?"
"Surely, that is if it is nothing which will bring disgrace upon my heador name."
"It will be nothing to bring disgrace on your head or name, GeneralOlaf, though perhaps it may bring some sorrow to your heart. As yet Icannot say."
"My heart is too full of sorrow to hold more," I answered.
Then he led me down to the guard's bed, on which I sat myself down,being strangely interested in this play. He drew the curtain in front ofme, and I heard him return to the centre of the room and clap his hands.Someone entered, saying,
"High Lord, your will?"
"Silence!" he exclaimed, and began to whisper orders, while I wonderedwhat kind of a physician this might be who was addressed as "High Lord."
The servant went, and, after a while of waiting that seemed long, oncemore the door was opened, and I heard the sweep of a woman's dress uponthe carpet.
"Be seated, Lady," said the grave voice of the physician, "for I havewords to say to you."
"Sir, I obey," answered another voice, at the sound of which my heartstood still. It was that of Heliodore.
"Lady," went on the physician, "as my robe will tell you, I am a doctorof medicine. Also, as it chances, I am something more, namely, an envoyappointed by the Caliph Harun-al-Rashid, having full powers to dealwith your case. Here are my credentials if you care to read them," and Iheard a crackling as of parchment being unfolded.
"Sir," answered Heliodore, "I will read the letters later. For thepresent I accept your word. Only I would ask one question, if it pleasesyou to answer. Why have not I and the General Olaf been conveyed tothe presence of the Caliph himself, as was commanded by the EmirObaidallah?"
"Lady, because it was not convenient to the Caliph to receive you,since as it chances at present he is moving from place to place upon thebusiness of the State. Therefore, as you will find in the writing, hehas appointed me to deal with your matter. Now, Lady, the Caliph and Ihis servant know all your story from lips which even you would trust.You are betrothed to a certain enemy of his, a Northman named OlafRed-Sword or Michael, who was blinded by the Empress Irene for someoffence against her, but was afterwards appointed by her son Constantineto be governor of the Isle of Lesbos. This Olaf, by the will of God,inflicted a heavy defeat upon the forces of the Caliph which he had sentto take Lesbos. Then, by the goodness of God, he wandered to Egypt insearch of you, with the result that both of you were taken prisoner.Lady, it will be clear to you that, having this wild hawk Olaf in hishands, the Caliph would scarcely let him go again to prey upon theMoslems, though whether he will kill him or make of him a slave as yet Ido not know. Nay, hear me out before you speak. The Caliph has been toldof your wondrous beauty, and as I see even less than the truth. Also hehas heard of the high spirit which you showed in the Coptic rising, whenyour father, the Prince Magas, was slain, and of how you escaped outof the hand of the Emir Musa the Fat, and were not afraid to dwell formonths alone in the tombs of the ancient dead. Now the Caliph, beingmoved in his heart by your sad plight and all that he has heardconcerning you, commands me to make you an offer.
"The offer is that you should come to his Court, and there be instructedfor a while by his learned men in the truths of religion. Then, if itpleases you to adopt Islam, he will take you as one of his wives, andif it does not please you, will add you to his harem, since it is notlawful for him to marry a woman who remains a Christian. In either casehe will make on you a settlement of property to the value of that whichbelonged to your father, the Prince Magas. Reflect well before youanswer. Your choice lies between the memory of a blind man, whom I thinkyou will never see again, and the high place of one of the wives of thegreatest sovereign of the earth."
"Sir, before I answer I would put a question to you. Why do you say 'thememory of a blind man'?"
"Because, Lady, a rumour has reached me which I desired to hold backfrom you, but which now you force me to repeat. It is that this GeneralOlaf has in truth already passed the gate of death."
"Then, sir," she answered, with a little sob, "it behoves me to followhim through that gate."
"That will happen when it pleases God. Meanwhile, what is your answer?"
"Sir, my answer is that I, a poor Christian prisoner, a victim of warand fate, thank the Caliph Harun-al-Rashid for the honours and thebenefits he would shower on me, and with humility decline them."
"So be it, Lady. The Caliph is not a man who would wish to force yourinclination. Still, this being so, I am charged to say he bids youremember that you were taken prisoner in war by the Emir Musa. He holdsthat, subject to his own prior right, which he waives, you are theproperty of the Emir Musa under a just interpretation of the law. Yethe would be merciful as God is merciful, and therefore he gives you thechoice of three things. The first of these is that you adopt Islam witha faithful heart and go free."
"That I refuse, as I have refused it before," said Heliodore.
"The second is," he continued, "that you enter the harem of the EmirMusa."
"That I refuse also."
"And the third and last is that, having thrust aside his mercy, yousuffer the common fate of a captured Christian who persists in error,and die."
"That I accept," said Heliodore.
"You accept death. In the splendour of your youth and beauty, you acceptdeath," he said, with a note of wonder in his voice. "Truly, you aregreat-hearted, and the Caliph will grieve when he learns his loss, asI do now. Yet I have my orders, for which my head must answer. Lady, ifyou die, it must be here and now. Do you still choose death?"
"Yes," she said in a low voice.
"Behold this cup," he went on, "and this draught which I pour into it,"and I heard the sound of liquid flowing. "Presently I shall ask you todrink of it, and then, after a little while, say the half of an hour,you will fall asleep, to wake in whatever world God has appointed tothe idol worshippers of the Cross. You will suffer no pain and no fear;indeed, maybe the draught will bring you joy."
"Then give it me," said Heliodore faintly. "I will drink at once andhave done."
Then it
was that I came out from behind my curtain and groped my waytowards them.
"Sir Physician, or Sir Envoy of the Caliph Harun," I said; but for themoment went no further, since, with a low cry, Heliodore cast herselfupon my breast and stopped my lips with hers.
"Hush till I have spoken," I whispered, placing my arm about her; thencontinued. "I swore to you just now that I would not reveal myselfunless I heard aught which would bring disgrace on my head or name. Tostand still behind yonder curtain while my betrothed is poisoned at yourhands would bring disgrace upon my head and name so black that notall the seas of all the world could wash it away. Say, Physician, doesyonder cup hold enough of death for both of us?"
"Yes, General Olaf, and if you choose to share it I think the Caliphwill be glad, since he loves not the killing of brave men. Only it mustbe now and without more words. You can talk for a little afterwardsbefore the sleep takes you."
"So be it," I said. "Since I must die, as I heard you decree but now, itis no crime to die thus, or at least I'll risk it who have one to guardupon that road. Drink, beloved, a little less than half since I am thestronger. Then give me the cup."
"Husband, I pledge you," she said, and drank, thrusting the cup into myhand.
I, too, lifted it to my lips. Lo! it was empty.
"Oh! most cruel of thieves," I cried, "you have stolen all."
"Aye," she answered. "Shall I see you swallow poison before my eyes? Idie, but perchance God may save you yet."
"Not so, Heliodore," I cried again, and, turning, began to grope my wayto the window-place, which I knew was far from the ground, since I hadno weapon that would serve my turn.
In an instant, as I thrust the lattice open, I felt two strong arms castabout me and heard the physician exclaim,
"Come, Lady, help me with this madman, lest he do himself a mischief."
She seized me also, and we struggled together all three of us. The doorsburst open, and I was dragged back into the centre of the room.
"Olaf Red-Sword, the blind General of the Christians," said thephysician in a new voice, one that was full of majesty and command,"I who speak to you am no doctor of medicine and no envoy. I amHarun-al-Rashid, Caliph of the Faithful. Is it not so, my servants?"
"It is so, Caliph," pealed the answer from many throats.
"Hearken, then, to the decree of Harun-al-Rashid. Learn both of you thatall which has passed between us was but a play that I have played totest the love and faithfulness of you twain. Lady Heliodore, be at ease.You have drunk nothing save water distilled with roses, and no sleepshall fall on you save that which Nature brings to happiness. Lady, Itell you that, having seen what I have seen and heard what I have heard,rather would I stand in the place of that blind man to-night than beSovereign of the East. Truly, I knew not that love such as yours was tobe met with in the world. I say that when I saw you drain the cup in alast poor struggle to drive back the death that threatened this Olaf myown heart went out in love for you. Yet have no fear, since my love isof a kind that would not rob you of your love, but rather would bring itto a rich and glorious blossom in the sunshine of my favour. Wondrous isthe tale of the wooing of you twain and happy shall be its end. GeneralOlaf, you conquered me in war and dealt with those of my servants whofell into your hands according to the nobleness of your heart. ShallI, then, be outdone in generosity by one whom a while ago I should havenamed a Christian dog? Not so! Let the high priest of the Christians,Politian, be brought hither. He stands without, and with him the ladynamed Martina, who was the Empress Irene's waiting-woman."
The messengers went and there followed a silence. There are times whenthe heart is too full for words; at least, Heliodore and I found nothingto say to each other. We only clasped each other's hand and waited.
At length the door opened, and I heard the eager, bustling step ofPolitian, also another gliding step, which I knew for that of Martina.She came to me, she kissed me on the brow, and whispered into my ear,
"So all is well at last, as I knew it would be; and now, Olaf--and now,Olaf, you are about to be married. Yes, at once, and--I wish you joy."
Her words were simple enough, yet they kindled in my heart a light bywhich it saw many things.
"Martina," I said, "if I have lived to reach this hour, under God it isthrough you. Martina, they say that each of us has a guardian angel inheaven, and if that be so, mine has come to earth. Yet in heaven aloneshall I learn to thank her as I ought."
Then suddenly Martina was sobbing on my breast; after which I rememberonly that Heliodore helped me to wipe away her tears, while in thebackground I heard the Caliph say to himself in his deep voice,
"Wondrous! Wondrous! By Allah! these Christians are a strange folk. Howfar wiser is our law, for then he could have married both of them, andall three would have been happy. Truly he who decreed that it should beso knew the heart of man and woman and was a prophet sent by God. Nay,answer me not, friend Politian, since on matters of religion we haveagreed that we will never argue. Do your office according to your unholyrites, and I and my servants will watch, praying that the Evil One maybe absent from the service. Oh! silence, silence! Have I not said thatwe will not argue on subjects of religion? To your business, man."
So Politian drew us together to the other end of the chamber, and therewed us as best he might, with Martina for witness and the solemn Moslemsfor congregation.
When it was over, Harun commanded my wife to lead me before him.
"Here is a marriage gift for you, General Olaf," he said; "one, I think,that you will value more than any other," and he handed me somethingsharp and heavy.
I felt it, hilt and blade, and knew it for the Wanderer's sword, yes,my own red sword from which I took my name, that the Commander of theFaithful now restored to me, and with it my place and freedom. I tookit, and, saying no word, with that same sword gave to him the triplesalute due to a sovereign.
Instantly I heard Harun's scimitar, the scimitar that was famousthroughout the East, rattle as it left its scabbard, as did thescimitars of all those who attended on him, and knew that there wasbeing returned to me the salute which a sovereign gives to a general inhigh command. Then the Caliph spoke again.
"A wedding gift to you, Lady Heliodore, child of an ancient and mightyrace, and new-made wife of a gallant man. For the second time to-nighttake this cup of gold, but let that which lies within it adorn yourbreast in memory of Harun. Queens of old have worn those jewels, butnever have they hung above a nobler heart."
Heliodore took the cup, and in her trembling hand I heard the pricelessgems that filled it clink against its sides. Once more the Caliph spoke.
"A gift for you also, Lady Martina. Take this ring from my hand andplace it on your own. It seems a small thing, does it not? Yet somethinglies within its circle. In this city I saw to-day a very beauteous housebuilt by one of your Grecian folk, and behind it lands that a swifthorse could scarcely circle twice within an hour, most fruitful landsfed by the waters. That house and those lands are yours, together withrule over all who dwell upon them. There you may live content withwhomever you may please, even if he be a Christian, free of tax ortribute, provided only that neither you nor he shall plot against mypower. Now, to all three of you farewell, perchance for ever, unlesssome of us should meet again in war. General Olaf, your ship lies inthe harbour; use it when you will. I pray that you will think kindly ofHarun-al-Rashid, as he does of you, Olaf Red-Sword. Come, let us leavethese two. Lady Martina, I pray you to be my guest this night."
So they all went, leaving Heliodore and myself alone in the great room,yes, alone at last and safe.