H. A. Lamb

“ One prophet has said that he who takes a tooth for a tooth is lawful; another has said that he who injures another for his own sake shall suffer greatly. Which is the truth?"
"Nay," answered Khlit, "I know not."
"It was written that when one man kills another the kin of that man shall kill the first. So I have seen many in the world outside Alamut kill each other without cause. Yet in Alamut, we kill only for a reason."
Khlit thought of the dead Tatar who had fallen where Rashideddin sat and was silent.
"Watch," said the astrologer. ”

“ Iba Kabash steadily raised the reward he assured Khlit, as he sensed the interest of the Cossack.
"Then," stated Khlit slowly, "you will do this. You will go direct to the master of Alamut and tell him my news. To no other. For here, a man takes what credit he can. And as the price of the good you will get for the telling, you will aid me in the plan I have.. The plan concerns a girl that Halen ibn Shaddah would give a finger of his left hand to see brought before him."
"I swear it," -said the Kurd readily, "on my ahd, the oath of a fedavie. ”

“ The poet has said that no beauty is in the world save that of power over other men. The stars watch the evil and idleness of men. One who reads them learns many things. I shall tell you what I learned of you, Cossack."
"Aye," said Khlit grimly, "tell."
Under the cover of his bushy eyebrows he studied his companion. Rashideddin was a magician, and in Khlit's mind a magician was not to be trusted. Was the astrologer playing with him, using him as a chess-player moves a piece on the board? What had Iba Kabash told Rashideddin? ”

“ To gain this point, it was necessary to assure the Kurd that Berca could be found. Once more, Iba Kabash swore Khlit would get a good price, whereupon Khlit had the thought that the other was too glib with a promise. ”