Cuthbert saw the justice of the reasoning, and it was another week before he announced himself as feeling absolutely restored to strength again, and capable of bearing as much exertion as he could have done before his attack.

A long consultation was held with the prior and a monk who had acted as his leech, as to the best plan of getting Cuthbert beyond the walls of the city.  Many schemes were proposed and rejected.  Every monk who ventured beyond the walls had been closely scrutinized, and one or two of short stature had even been jostled in the streets, so as to throw back their hoods and expose a sight of their faces.  It was clear, then, that it would be dangerous to trust to a disguise.  Cuthbert proposed that he should leave at night, trusting solely to their directions as to the turnings he should take to bring him to the city walls, and that, taking a rope, he should there let himself down, and make the best of his way forward.  This, however, the monks would not consent to, assuring him that the watch was so strictly kept round the monastery that he would inevitably be seen.

“No,” the prior said, “the method, whatever it is, must be as open as possible; and though I cannot at this moment hit upon a plan, I will think it over to-night, and putting my ideas with those of Father Jerome here, and the sacristan, who has a shrewd head, it will be hard if we cannot between us contrive some plan to evade the watch of those robber villains who beset the convent.”

The next morning when the prior came in to see Cuthbert, the latter said, “Good father, I have determined not to endeavour to make off in disguise.  I doubt not that your wit could contrive some means by which I should get clear of the walls without observation from the scouts of this villain noble.  But once in the country, I should have neither horse nor armour, and should have hard work indeed to make my way down through France, even though none of my enemies were on my track.  I will therefore, if it please you, go down boldly to the Mayor, and claim a protection and escort.  If he will but grant me a few men-at-arms for one day’s ride from the town, I can choose my own route, and riding out in mail can then take my chance of finding my way down to Marseilles.”

“I will go down with you, my son,” the prior said, “to the mayor.  Two of my monks shall accompany us; and assuredly no insult will be offered to you in the street thus accompanied.”  Shortly afterwards, Cuthbert started as arranged, and soon arrived at the house of the mayor, Sir John de Cahors.

Upon the prior making known to this knight whom he had brought with him, the mayor exclaimed,—­