28o SALADIN: PRINCE OP CHIVALRY agreed. Nothing suited him better than to see an open breach between Richard and the Marquess, " a man to be greatly feared" His only condition was that the attack on Acre, with the consequent release of the Moslems still held prisoners there, and the release of Moslem prisoners at Tyre, should precede the surrender to Conrad of Beirut and Sidon. However, nothing came of these negotiations., Whether Richard learned of them or merely had a keen scent, he went to Acre before the Marquess could do anything and strengthened the garrison and defenses. At the same time he again took up negotiations with el-Adel, and this diplomat, like a juggler playing with two balls, seems to have kept them both in the air at the same time. Beha ed-din gives the following as the text of a letter sent by Richard, with the request that its contents be made known to Saladin : " You are to greet him and say that both the Moslems and the Franks are reduced to the last extremity. Their cities are destroyed, and the resources of both sides in men and stores brought to nought. And since right has been done in this matter, we need speak only of Jerusalem, of the Cross and of the land in question. As to Jerusalem, we are fully resolved never to give it up, even though we had but one man left. Touching the land, you must restore it to us far as the other side of Jordan. And, lastly, as regards the Cross —to you it is nothing but a piece of wood, but it is very precious in our eyes, and if the Sultan will graciously give it