232 THE BOY CRUSADERS.

the bath, and with food, were invited by the grand
vizier to repair to the presence of the caliph.

It was not, however, without much ceremony, and
some mystery, that the Templar and the English
knight were admitted into the interior of a palace
within whose precincts no Christian, save as a cap-
tive, had ever before set foot. First, they were
euided through dark passages, guarded by armed
Ethiopians, and then into open courts so richly and
beautifully adorned, that they could not refrain from
expressing their admiration.

‘Certes,’ exclaimed Bisset, halting, ‘the caliph
must, of all princes, be the richest; and I should
not much marvel to hear that he had discovered the
philosopher’s stone, which turns everything into gold,
and of which my countryman, Roger Bacon, is said
to be in search. Nevertheless, he does not seem to
have studied the Roman poet, who tells us that
treasure is hardly worth having, unless it is properly
used.’

‘In truth, sir knight,’ said the Templar, ‘the
farther we go, the greater is the splendour and state.’

At length the ambassadors reached a magnificent
chamber, where the caliph awaited them. At first,
however, he was concealed from them by a curtain
wrought with pearls. But the grand vizier thrice
prostrated himself to the ground; and, as he did so,
the traverse was drawn aside, and the caliph appeared
arrayed in gorgeous robes, seated on a throne of
gold, and surrounded by his eunuchs, who seemed
both surprised and grieved to see Christians in that
place and presence.