,
and there can be no doubt that he is a stout man-at-arms, in all ways."

"I should not trust him, in any way, with the object of your mission.
If I obtain the abbot's consent, I shall simply send for him, rate him
soundly for his conduct, but telling him I make all allowances for his
natural unfitness for his vocation; and that I have, as a matter of
grace, obtained from the abbot permission to use his services for a
while, and to suspend his sentence upon him, until it be seen how he
comports himself; and, with that view, I am about to send him as your
companion, on a commission with which I have intrusted you, to the town
of Dunbar. I shall hint that, if he behaves to my satisfaction, I may
persuade the abbot to allow him to remain in my service, until the time
comes when he may be useful to the convent for military work; he still
undertaking to drill the lay brothers, and keep the abbot's contingent
in good order; and that, when the troubles are at an end, I will obtain
for him full absolution from his vows, so that he may leave the
monastery without the disgrace of being expelled, and may then take
service with me, or with another, as a man-at-arms.

"I wish you to be frank with me. If you would rather go alone, matters
shall remain as they are."

"I would much rather that he went with me, my lord. From the many
conversations that I have had with him, I am sure that he is shrewd and
clever, and that, once beyond the walls of the monastery and free to
use his weapon, he would be full of resource. There is doubtless much
lawlessness on both sides of the border, and although I should seem but
little worth robbing, two travel more pleasantly than one; and the monk
has taken such pains with me, and has been so kind, that there is no
one with whom I would travel, with greater pleasure."

"Then I will go across to the monastery, at once, and see the abbot;
and I doubt not that he will grant my request, for, much and often as
brother Roger has given him cause for anger, I know that he has a sort
of kindness for him, and will gladly avoid the necessity for punishing
and disgracing him. If all is arranged, the monk shall come over here,
and see you."

An hour later, Brother Roger came in to the captain's quarters.

"So you have been in trouble again, Brother Roger," Alwyn Forster said
with a laugh, as he held out his hand to him.

"That have I, and an hour ago I was lying in a prison cell, cursing my
hot temper; and