“He was sick nigh to the death when he craved admittance,” answered Raymond briefly.  “He —­”

“He had aided and abetted the flight from his true masters of a servant boy bound over to them lawfully and fast.  If he thinks to deceive Peter Sanghurst or if you do either, boy that you are, though with the hardihood of a man and the recklessness of a fool —­ you little know with whom you have to deal.  It was you —­ you who broke into our house —­ I know not how, but some day I shall know —­ and stole away with one you fondly hope to hold against my power.  Boy, I warn you fairly:  none ever makes of Peter Sanghurst an enemy but he bitterly, bitterly rues the day.  I give you one chance of averting the doom which else will fall upon you.  Give back the boy.  Lure him out hither some day when I am waiting to seize him.  Place him once again in my hands, and your rash act shall be forgiven.  You have the power to do this.  Be advised, and accept my terms.  The Sanghursts never forgive.  Refuse, and the day will come when you will so long to have done my bidding now, that you would even sell your soul to undo the deed which has brought my enmity upon you.  Now choose.  Will you deliver up the boy, or —­”

“Never!” answered Raymond, with flashing eyes, not even waiting to hear the alternative.  “I fear you not.  I know you, and I defy you.  I will this moment to Father Paul, to warn him of your approach.  The gates will be closed, and you will be denied all entrance.  You may strive as you will, but your victim has taken Sanctuary, and not all the powers of the world or the devil you serve can prevail against the walls of that haven of refuge.  Go back whence you came, or stay and do your worst.  We fear you not.  The Holy Saints and the Blessed Jesus are our protectors and defenders.  You have tried in vain your foul spells.  You have seen what their power is against that which is from above.  Go, and repent your evil ways ere it be too late.  You threaten me with your vengeance; have you ever thought of that vengeance of God which awaits those who defy His laws and invoke the powers of darkness?  My trust is in Him; wherefore I fear you not.  Do then your worst.  Magnify yourself as you will.  Your fate will be like that of the blaspheming giant of Gath who defied the power of the living God and fell before the sling and the stone of the shepherd boy.”

And without waiting to hear the answer which was hurled at him with all the fury of an execration, Raymond turned and sped back to the Monastery, not in any physical fear of the present vengeance of his foe, but anxious to warn the keeper of the gate of the close proximity of one who was so deadly a foe to Father Paul’s protege.