esters and miners to arms if need should arise."

"That is nothing."

"I have a list of those families that still profess the true faith.
Almost to a man they place their country before their Church, and
prefer to fight for their heretic Queen rather than the Holy Mother of
Heaven."

"The fiery pit yawns for them, my son!"

"But there are true sheep amongst these herds of goats. Two have I
brought with me. Their eyes are opened. Wisdom and far-seeing dwells
with them. They value not the things of this world and the comforts of
the body. They are sworn to serve the Holy Church to the death." The
speaker turned to two rather hang-dog fellows who were squatted beside
the hearth. "Kneel, my brothers," he cried, "and receive a blessing
from Father Jerome, a saint amongst men!"

"Tush! my son," said Father Jerome; "thou dost rate my poor worth a
thousand times too highly. The blessing I bestow is greater far than
he is who bestows it; the gift is greater than the giver."

The whole company fell upon their knees, and Father Jerome towered
above them. There was cunning in his sallow face, cruelty in the
corners of his mouth. He held his hands aloft and spoke low and
mysteriously.

"When the Holy Father called me and entrusted me with my present
mission he gave me his blessing thrice repeated, and bestowed upon me
the power of passing on that blessing to others. The blessing then
that ye receive at my hands is the blessing of the Head of the Church.
Kings have begged for it and have not obtained it; but ye are greater
than kings." The disguised priest--for such was Father Jerome--placed
his hands on them one by one and murmured a long Latin invocation. At
the end of this he addressed the farmer and the two foresters, who had
been beguiled into the plot, speaking in plain, forcible English.

"Your country," he exclaimed, "wallows in heresy and other deadly sins.
For years hath it openly flouted and resisted the Church. The hour of
retribution is near. By sword and by fire must her sins be purged.
The instruments of vengeance and punishment are appointed, and the
least of these am I. Before the sun hath run another yearly circle
through the heavens a faithful prince shall hold power in this land.
Many who are now in high estate shall be flung down, and there are some
humble ones that shall be mightily exalted. Think of that, my sons,
and be true to the trust reposed in you!"

Father Jerome raised up his