that it be carried out.
You, Master Prior, and you Master Sub-Prior, are to appear before Master
Cromwell in his court on All-Hallows' Eve, and tell your tales to him.
You shall see if he be so soft as I; it may be that he will send you
before the King's Grace--that I know not--but at least he will know how
to get the truth out of you, if I cannot--"

Once more the Prior broke in, in an agony of terror; but the doctor
silenced him in a moment.

"Have I not given my sentence, sir? How dare you speak?"

A murmur again ran round the room, and he lifted his hand furiously.

"Silence," he shouted, "not one word from a mother's son of you. I have
had enough of sedition already. Clear the room, officer, and let not one
shaveling monk put his nose within again, until I send for him. I am
weary of them all--weary and broken-hearted."

The doctor dropped back into his seat, with a face of profound disgust,
and passed his hand over his forehead.

The monks turned at the signal from the door, and Ralph watched the
black lines once more file out.

"There, Mr. Torridon," whispered the doctor behind his hand. "Did I not
tell you so? Master Cromwell will be able to do what he will with him."

CHAPTER VIII

RALPH'S RETURN

The Visitation of Lewes Priory occupied a couple of days, as the estates
were so vast, and the account-books so numerous.

In the afternoon following the scene in the chapter-house, Dr. Layton
and Ralph rode out to inspect some of the farms that were at hand,
leaving orders that the stock was to be driven up into the court the
next day, and did not return till dusk. The excitement in the town was
tremendous as they rode back through the ill-lighted streets, and as the
rumour ran along who the great gentlemen were that went along so gaily
with their servants behind them; and by the time that they reached the
priory-gate there was a considerable mob following in their train,
singing and shouting, in the highest spirits at the thought of the
plunder that would probably fall into their hands.

Layton turned in his saddle at the door, and made them a little speech,
telling them how he was there with the authority of the King's Grace,
and would soon make a sweep of the place.

"And there will be pickings," he cried, "pickings for us all! The widow
and the orphan have been robbed long enough; it is time to spoil the
fathers."

There was a roar of amusement from the mob; and a shout or two was
raise