ir way back towards the priory, increasing their speed
as they left Chad behind, and very quickly gaining the meadow,
where the servants were already beginning to collect the horses and
get them ready for their masters.

The day's proceedings were over. Refreshments were being served in
the refectory to all of the better sort. Sir Oliver's two younger
sons had never been missed; but Edred contrived to slip into the
hall, and in passing beside his father's chair to whisper in his
ear the four simple words:

"Brother Emmanuel is safe!"

None heard the whisper, not even Bertram, who was sitting next his
father, though he read it in his brother's eye the next moment.
Edred had affected to catch the clasp of his belt against his
father's chair as he passed by, and in pausing to free it had bent
his head and spoken the brief message.

No change passed over Sir Oliver's face. Not a creature present
observed the trifling by-play. Wine had circulated freely, and much
laughing and talking were going on. The prior had unbent from his
judicial severity, and even the Lord of Mortimer was smiling and
bland, although there was something in his aspect that suggested
the fierce feline play of a man-eating creature biding its time and
toying with its victim.

Just before the close of the feast Sir Oliver rose to his feet.

"My lord prior, and you knights and gentlemen," he said suddenly,
addressing all those who sat at the board in one comprehensive
glance round the table. "I have been not a little disturbed and
astonished today by hearing that there is ill known of one who has
been long a member of my household--Brother Emmanuel--whom the
reverend prior himself sent forth to be the instructor of my sons,
and who has always comported himself right reverently and seemly in
my house. But inasmuch as there is cause of offence in him, and
that he has this day refused obedience to his lawful superior, and
has not come at the bidding of the prior, I cannot but own him in
fault, and decline to have further dealings with him. I do not know
whether he is yet at Chad. I have not seen him since his farewell
last evening. But if he be yet there, let the Lord of Mortimer, or
you, holy father, send a company of servants to bring him thence.

"I have heard it whispered around that he is hiding within the
walls of Chad, and that we of that household know where he lurks.
My reply to that whisper is a denial (which I will take upon oath
if need