“Because it would have been of no avail.  Had there been the least chance of calling him to account, I should, you may be sure, have proclaimed his guilt.  But early in the morning fresh forces began to arrive to his aid.  My only endeavour was to get the lady Edith and her remaining children safe from the castle; and it was only by dissembling my feelings, by talking face to face with the man of blood, by pretending to trust him, that I could succeed.  Had he not thought us all perfectly satisfied, he would never have left the hall to go foraging in person; and now all would be well, but for this sad, sad chance, which has placed the poor lad Elfric in his power.”

“But,” said Alfred, “this makes the case worse than ever.  Poor Elfric! they will kill him.  Oh, can this be Ragnar?”

The Benedictines expressed themselves convinced, because the supposition explained the present circumstances so clearly, and accounted for that hitherto unaccountable circumstance—­the murder.  The steward and chamberlain both fancied they recognised the family likeness; and so the solution at which Father Cuthbert had arrived was accepted by all.

The question was now what course to adopt, for the night was fast wearing away.

“Two things are to be done,” said Father Cuthbert.  “The first is to secure the safety of the lady Edith and her children from any sudden attack from the castle, to which effect I propose holding all the vassals in arms; and, in case of any force leaving the hall, I purpose giving the lady Edith and her daughter instant sanctuary in the priory, while the vassals gather round its precincts; for, I fear me, this Ragnar is a heathen, and would but little respect the house of God.”

“Could we not attack the hall and release Elfric?  Think of Elfric,” said Alfred.

“It would be madness; Redwald has more than a hundred and fifty men of war within it.  The place is full; we could not attack with the least chance of success.  No:  the second thing I meant to propose was this, that we should send an instant message to King Edgar, who is near at hand, and explain the whole circumstances to him.  He has many causes of enmity against Redwald, and would probably come to our aid at once, as the safety of his realm would require him to do eventually.”

“Let me be the messenger; he will surely listen to the pleadings of a brother for a brother.”

“I had so designed,” said Father Cuthbert; “and in order that no chance may be thrown away, I will adventure myself in the lion’s den, and threaten with the penalties of excommunication this vindictive Redwald or Ragnar.”

“No, father; you will never come out alive.  No, no!” said they all.

The last proposal was universally discouraged.  Redwald had already special cause of enmity against Father Cuthbert, who had robbed him of part of his destined prey; and it was ultimately settled that Father Swithin, another of the order, should be charged with the mission, with the power to make conciliatory offers, or to act on the other course as he should see fit; in short, to use all his wit for Elfric.