The Wizard of Granada — page 5: what you’re looking at

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6 THE WIZARD OF GRANADA. gold, but these were left untouched, while a little roll of carefully written parchment was seized and berne away. Into an ante-room, at a safe distance from the knight’s chamber, the midnight thief hurried. It was a weird, uneanny looking place, hung with black draperies marked with blood-red eabalistic signs, and there were odd-looking vessels, crucibles and retorts, and all the out- lJandish ware of a laboratory scattered round. A brazen vessel filled wifh burning oil stood on a round ebony table. At this table stood the masked figure, unrolling the closely folded parchment he had taken from the lnight’s hid- den belt, : He read it with feverish intentness, and then flung it down with a fierce malediction. “The deceitful kmave! So this is his inno- cent curiosity. Oh, my misgivings were not in vain. Shall he come to undo my vengeance? To baffle my/schemes? By Allah! nor He shall not babble this strange story thronghout Granada. He shall never find the object of his search. Iwillend the matter this very night. He shall die. My arts must be poorer than of yore if I cannot satisfy the king and court con- cerning his disappearance. No matter; the first step of my safety is to secure his si- lence. There is but one way for that. I am not the Wizard of Granada to fail in drugs for kindly need. He shall sleep forever this night.” He spoke fiercely and rapidly ; all unknowing that another secret panel slipped away, that an- other dark figure was watching every moye- iment; he flang down the parchment and strode away into aninner laboratory and was presently at work with his vials there. This second intruder stepped noiselessly to the table, seized the parchment, read it care- fully, dropped it and retreated. Basilio’s house was full of mysteries ; there were secret passages through all the rooms, and unsuspected outlets through massive stone walls. The Wizard of Granada believed that he alone was the master of their cunning secrets. Yet this second dark figure walked fearlessly and securely, even though doors were bolted and windows stoutly barred, and passed out through a covered underground passageway and emerged into the starlight near the Alham- bra gate of Judgment. There the black mask was lifted as though the wearer were panting for air, and for one brief instant a face was lift- ed towards the starry, silent skies in passion- ate entreaty, while a pair of large, magnetic eyes flamed ao fierce light through blinding tears. “At last! at last judgment is coming! The skies are not deaf. Basilio, your hour is at hand!” ejaculated a woman’s voice, in choked, suffocated tones. Thon the mask was resumed, and the dark figure hurried on. Something like an hour afterward, the noise- less panel again admitted a visitor. Basilio had left the mask this time. His dark face was wild and fierce, his eyes rolling angrily, his sallow cheok ghastly pale, his lips set say- agely. He bore a small vial with a bright red liquid within it, and, bending over the sleeper, he was about to pour its deadly miasma where the knight must inhale it, when a light touch on his arm made him start and turn in alarm and amazement. “Prince Azim!” stammered Basilio. “ Aye, Basilio, Prince Azim. And wilt thou tell me why I am dragged forth, just as I was seeking my couch, and wherefore I find you here in the chumber of Granada’s knightly guest ?”’ The sound of the low, impressive voice seemed to arouse Basilio to a sense of the danger of his position. He thrust the fatal vial into his breast, and, seizing Prince Azim’s hand, drew him hastily through the panel, which closed voluntarily after them. “Hush, come away, I beseech you, lest you waken master and man, both of them,” whis- pered he, and swiftly led the way to a sumptu- ously furnished reception room, where -he lighted the lamps, busying himself in attending to the room to gain time to meet the exigencies of the case. At last he flung himself upon the pile of satin cushions, and turned a gloomy face toward his unbidden guest. “Well, Basilio,” said the gay, ringing voice, as the bright, dark eye searched his pallid fea- tures, ‘“‘you have not told re yet why I am dtagged thither.” *“You should best be able to answer that, your highness. It is I who am astonished as well as aggrieved. My zeal in behalf of Granada made me anxious to ascertain the object of this Span- iard’s coming. I have a magic spell by which I meant to obtain that Imowledge for the king, You disturbed me in the midst of it. How you were adinitted, why you came, is 1 mystery to me.” “Are you really a dealer in the black arts, Ba- silio? I know they call you the Wizard of Gra- nado, and yet my faith has hitherto been small. Allah defend us! May it be there is such a thing as taking hold of the mystic links to the unknown world of spirits so they can cross to you, as well as you call upon them? I was roused by a dreamy, shadowy apparition. Hist, Basilio, I will tell you what it is like. A thin, oval face, not without grace and strong marks of beauty, a pair of dark eyes that burnt into me like lightning flashes, waves of stream- ing hair, glossy and long, but dripping with brine, the whole with that unearthly look as if it had risen from the water from a restless grave.” Basilio’s pale lips had parted, his eyes grew horrified and awe-stricken at this description. Instinctively he put up his two hands as if to ward off a well known ghostly dread. “You saw her?” gasped he. ‘“Aye, Iam sure I saw her, and I cannot for- get it; but it vanished in a moment, while a voice cried: ‘Arise quickly, fly to the house of Basilio; there is murder in his heart. If you would save the Spanish Imnight, fly; the way shall be plain before you.’ And so I hurried forth. An unseen’ hand, icy cold, was Jaid on mine to guide me. Doors opened for me in the solid wall, panels slipped away mysteriously. I walked like one in a dream and found you, Ba- silio, bending over the knight.” ‘““T was trying my spell of enchantment,” said Basilio, working his convulsive lips with desper- ate energy to compel them to articulate the words, and turning his face away from his com- panion’s gaze. “ By the beard of the Sultan, Basilio, do not try that spell again, ifI.am to be disturbed in this fashion. I would rather face a dozen war- riors armed tothe teeth than that dead, ghastly face.” Basilio shuddered. “Tt is very strange; I cannot fathom it,” mut- tered he. “Take my advice, Basilio; give over your dark practices. So you peer too closely into the uncanny mysteries of the ghostly realm, we shall yet hear of your being carried away, soul, body and all. If I am to be linked in the mat- ter in this uncomfortable fashion, it behooves me to keep watch over you. The Spanish knight becomes my guest in the morning, and, look you, Basilio, no more spells. You are responsi- ble to the king tor his safe appearance. Now I will return, and if you please Tl go out the ordinary way under mortal guidance |” Prince Azim rose as he spoke, Basilio fol- lowed his example, and courteously led the way down past the sleepy guard, who rubbed their eyes in astonishment while they unlocked the massive doorway to give them egress. “Good night, Basilio; you will see me early in the morning, and I must find my guest in good health and spirits,” called out he as he stepped out into the air. Basilio went back to his laboratory and flung himself down prone upon its black marble pave- ment. “Foiled, foiled!” muttered he. ‘And by what?—by whom? A terrible, terrible dread is uponme. That gay-hearted boy told’ the tale too artlessly for it to be feigned, and he was never in my house before. He came by the secret entrance, led, as he declares, by an icy, invisible hand, and he saw a face that looked as if it had risen from a watery grave. Avyaunt, avaunt dread ghost! Sleep, sleep in peace, murdered Anita! your vengeance works. Oh, powers of hght and darkness, can the deed come back to haunt me?” A terrible dread, a frenzied excitement took possession of him. He lay there grovelling, hiding his face, rolling too and fro in agony more than an hour. Then suddenly springing to his feet, he strode to the cabinet, seized a flask and poured out a generous glass of wine, forbidden to faithful Moslem lips, He drank it off, and filled a second glass, his hand growing steadier, his face gaining color. “Twill not be daunted yet. I will compaas my plans by other means,” muttered he, and calling the slave who was never allowed to enter the suite of astrologer’s rooms, he went away to feverish and perturbed slumber. Do not fail to read our special and confidential offer to you, which will be found immediately following the story of ‘“‘ The Wizard of Granada.” In this great offer we agree to give you a dollar's worth of books absolutely free if you will send us only thirty-five cents for a year’s subseription to THe InnustrATreD Home Gusst, a sample copy of which is sent you herewith. This is the most extraordinary offer ever made by a reliable publishing house, and enables you to secure, absolutely free of charge, ten splendid books, which maybe selected by yourself from the entire list offered, and the regular retail price of which is ten cents each or one dollar for the ten books. Do not fail to read this remarkable offer, which comes to you from an old-estab- lished and reliable publishing house, whose re- sponsibility cannot be questioned. ALL unconscious of the slender thread by which his life had hung, Sir Ildefonse sprang up with the early morning sunbeams. Hishead was a little heavy, but the draught of fresh air he inhaled, as he leaned from the window, en- joying the rare beauty of a garden filled with strange and brilliant blossoms, and the delicious bath restored him to his usual enviable health. Alana, hearing him hustling around, came in, looking ashamed and self-convicted. “Hark, there are summons without ; open the door, Alana, and stand not like a block.” Tt was a slave, who bent yearly to the floor in THE WIZARD OF GRANADA. es profound obeisance, nodding his turbaned head till the heavy folds of gilt cloth seemed ready to fall. He held a silver tray in his hand and on it lay an ivory tablet. Sir Idefonse took it and read : “The early morning wooes you forth, brave knight of Spain. Come, ere tle dewirop has forsaken the rose, ere sluggish eyes are un- closed. Prince Azim waits to breakfast with the guest of Granada. The slave will lead the way.” The knight was well pleased and only hesi- tated a moment. “Where is Basilio? I amignorant of Moorish customs; will he take offence ifI go in obedi- ence to this summons? Stay, I will leave the tablet to explain.” He handed the tablet to the slave, and pointed toward his fellow who leaned without. “For Basilio.” The latter nodded intelligently. “The Wizard of Granada still slumbers, but he would wake if it were needful. He bows to fhe illustrious will of Prince Azim. Come with- out fear.” Sir Idefonse carefuly girded on his sword; he had previously taken care to notice that his belt was safe about- his waist, and beckoning to the squire, followed the lead of the ebony guide. There were only a few tradesmen and country- men in the streets, and these had little opportu- nity for staring, for the Ethiopian led through a private covered passageway, and they were rpeedily in the banquet room of Prince Azim. The young nobleman rose from a divan piled with luxurious cushions of pale pink silk richly fringed with silver, and came forward to meet them with that same peculiarly bright and Inmi- nous expression of countenance. He looked the beaming impersonation of all things glad and buoyant. “Welcome, weloome! gallant knight, to the home of Azim of Granada. Ineed not ask if you slept well in the grim haunts of our learned Wizard, for I read on your face that you are greatly refreshed.” While he spoke he clapped his hands, and two slaves came forward wheeling a second rose colored diyan, upon which the Imight was courteously placed, just opposite his youthful host. A single breath upon the gold whistle, and two lovely maidens glided in, bearing silver basins of perfumed water, and snowy towels fringed with gold thread. Their dextrous fingers took gently the hands of master and guest and laved them in the water, and then dried them with the towels. This done, with graceful obeisance they rose from the kneeling posture, and bore away the basins, returning in a moment to the tune of some invisible Inte, swinging censors which left silvery clouds of delicious perfume floating in the air. After which came the breakfast. Two oval tables of bronze were wheeled before the divans, and the same girls brought dish after dish of savory viands, interspersed with tiny opal bubbles which held but little more than a spoon- ful of the most delicious coffe. Primee Azim trifled a little with each plate brought to him, and watched with evident gratification the knight’s zest and enjoyment. “Will it not be something to remember, my prince, this breakfast with you?” said Sir Ide- fonse gaily, as he sent away the fairy coffee-cup for replenishment; ‘‘sometime when J am bivouacking on a battle-field, maybe, longing for a dry crust of bread, it will seem like a banquet with the fairies. Many’s the time in my wan- derings I’ve rode all day and night without tasting food.” “Tell me about some such scenes. You see how like a doll Ihave lived. It shames me to the very quick, now that I look upon a true knight, anda brave man,” said Prince Azim, with a tide of crimson deepening the bloom of his cheek. ‘You do not guess how my heart leaps out to you. I read your character at once ; tell me all you have seen of battle and adven- ture and brave knightly prowess.” Sir Iidefonse was charmed by so winning and courteous « listener into many a long story of adventure, and though he modestly kept his own achievements in the background, it was easy to read how brave and honorable fame he had won. “ And even of late, while in Basilio’s train, you met with some adventure,” said Prince Azim, drawing a long sigh. ‘I heard some hint of tts”? “Nay,” answered Sir Idefonse, “it was noth- ing, a mere brush-like pastime. I would you could in your turn enlighten my ignorance; there is much in Granada that is strange to me. Who is this Basilio? There is anodd sensation in my heart when I look into his eyes ; I cannot tell whether I detest or venerate him.” Prince Azim started. “Another proof of the singular assimilation of our minds; itis even the same with me. He is a wise man, very deeply learned in mystic arts, but I cannot be sure that I honor or esteem him. Mind thou, my Spanish friend, to keep clear of him, as much as may be. That is the advice of a true friend—such may you ever find in Azim.” “Yes, 1am sure of it,” replied Sir Idefonse, warmly. ‘It is singular that I was reeommend- ed to your friendship, even before I saw you.” “How could that be, I pray ?” “An unknown lady to whom I was able to render a trifling service bade me appeal to you in case harm threatened me from my wild ex- pedition to Granada.” The prince started. “You saw her! It could be but one,” he ex- claimed, eagerly. The knight shook his head sorrowfully. “No, I did not see her; I know naught con- cerning her, beyond her name. COanst thou tell me something concerning the Princess Xina ?” His host started nervously, and looked down, biting his fresh, red lips impatiently. “My friend,” said he in a mournful voice, “that is a name no one in Granada dares speak lightly. It was wise in you to forget that you had heard it.” “But if one cannot forget,” asked Idefonse impatiently, ‘if it is impossible ?” “Tt must be possible. We are all compelled to findit so. Noone isa keener sufferer from the cruel decree than myself.” “Tt is all a mystery ; is there no one who will speak out plainly?” continued Sir Idefonse in an irritated voice ; ‘ will no one tell me who she is, this mysterious Princess Xina ?” ‘“No one,” answered Prince Azim, ‘‘ will dare to speak of her, as no one dares to look upon her face.” **T will ask the king himself!” exclaimed the knight, resolutely. ‘*Rash man, forbear! it would cost you your head!” exclaimed Prince Azim, springing from his couch impetuously. But Ildefonse was smiling softly, recalling the precious promise he had received. “Tt is already the eleventh day; I shall see her myself if she keeps her promise. I will go presently to the gateway pointed out to me as the gate of Judgment;I will fear nothing. I would fight my way step by step before I would give up the privilege,” he repeated mentally. His host evidently believed his thoughts had wandered away, for he said: “Now, then, we will plan the entertainment of the day—I will take you over every pleasant nook in Granada.” Iidefonse roused himself from his abstrac- tion. “Grant me this boon, I pray you; I have scarcely recovered from the sights of yester eve. Give me this day in peace and quiet, to roam unmolested where I will. To-morrow I will be in readiness for your kind attendance.” “80 be it, then. Take your freedom of this house of mine; I ordered your horses and your servants to be taken care of here. Here you can come, when it pleases you, for rest, for recrea- tion, for friendship and protection, alway.” The gracious benignity of his manners touched the knight deeply. “Prince Azim,” he said, “if it lies in my power I shall repay this generous delicacy. If fate wills that I shall only receive bounty, still will I accept it freely in the chivalrous spirit with which you offer it. Truly have you spoken, that we are kindred spirits ; I acknowledge and respond to the spell which unites us.” He held out his hand as he spoke, and Prince Azim clasped it eagerly. They separated then to their respective ways. 3 Idefonse, flinging about him a Moorish cloak, according to o hint of his host’s, walked forth into the streets, which were growing noisy with the increasing crowds, The palace of Prince Azim was so near the Alhambra he had no trouble in finding the great gate. Remembering the lady’s figurative lan- guage, Sir Idefonse looked up eagerly at tle great key embossed over the gateway; it was bright with the morning sunbeams. Even while he was gazing, a gray robed slave touched his shoulder. “ Art thou he ?” c “Tam the bandit’s foe,” replied the knight, feeling his heart flutter as no royal pomp or bandit threat had been able to stir it. “Follow, then, till thou findest a steed ready caparisoned, then mayest thou proceed alone on the pathway to the right,” said the gray robed slave, turning while he spoke and leading the way through street after street, until they had left bebind the bustle and noise, and en- tered a peaceful and quiet retreat—stretching forth into garden after garden of myrtle and blossoming shrubs, varied here and there by an uplifting fountain or a gilded kiosk, but grow- ing wilder and more deserted looking, as they proceeded. They reached at length a little nook, as iso- lated as though it were placed in the center of a desert, for on one side frowned a precipitous hill, and on the other stretched upward a mag- nificent grove of closely embowering trees. A saddled horse was fastened to the low bramch of a slender juniper. The guide made a quick, significant gesture toward it, turned, and quietly withdrew. Sir Ildefonse flung off the Moorish cloak and turned swiftly to the right. He had passed but a short distance, when forth from a glossy hedge ; emerged a graceful figure, uncloaked, unveiled, and waiting forhim. A glad light broke over his face as the great majestic beauty of that no- ble countenance was turned upon him. She was all that he had pictured her—a grand, mag- nificent woman, such a one as alone could com- mand and captivate his fancy, could reign queen of his heart. She was dressed in simple ele- gance. A rich velvet violet robe, free from em- broidery save at the shoulders, where was wrought in gold thread some device