Page 299 - A Knight of the White Cross

"I have not heard it," Gervaise replied; "and trust that I may be in time to
bear my share in the defence. However, the blow has been so often

threatened that it may be some time before it falls."

"May Allah bless you, my son, and take you safely back to your friends! Be
assured that you shall have notice as soon as I know that Hassan has
returned, and you shall have the bundle with all that is needful, behind my

gate."

Another two months passed. Gervaise looked in vain for Ben Tbyn's
messenger as he went to and from the palace, and chafed terribly at the
delay, when, for aught he knew, the Turkish fleet might already have

brought Mahomet's army to Rhodes. At last, as he came back from work,
he saw with intense satisfaction one of the men, whose face he recognised,

leaning carelessly against the wall. The man gave no sign of recognition,
but looked at him earnestly for a minute, and then sauntered off up the
street. Gervaise went up into the town as usual, walked about until it

became quite dark, and then went to the gate that led into the merchant's
garden. He found that it was unfastened, and, opening it, he went in and

closed it behind him. As he did so he started, for a voice close by said,

"Master, it is I, the messenger whom you saw two hours since. Ben Tbyn

bade me say that he thought you might require some service, and, knowing
that I could be trusted, bade me wait for you here. He thought that you

might possibly need a messenger to Hassan."

"The very thing," Gervaise exclaimed. "I have been puzzling myself in vain

as to how I could get speech with him in some quiet place; but with your
assistance that will be easy; but first let me put on this disguise."

This was easily effected, even in the dark. A loose flowing robe of white
cotton, girt in at the waist, a long bernouse with hood to cover the head, a

sash with a dagger, and a scimitar, completed the disguise.

"Here is a pouch," the man said, "with money for your journey, and a long
sword, which he says you can hang at your back beneath your bernouse."