“Take little heed of the deputy now,” said the holy man, “his master will be here anon.  I hear the tramp of armed men, with the herald’s trumpet.  I see the red griffin, and the banner of the Fitz-Eustace.”

“But, holy father, Sir Ulphilas,” replied the ejected steward, “there is no peace either by night or day, and we are nigh worn out with his waywardness and oppression.  If it might be that your reverence would come with me, peradventure the churl would grow tame at your presence.”

The hermit, complying with this importunity, accompanied Oliver to the castle.

In the hall Adam de Dutton was about consigning one of the villains, for some venial offence, unto the whipping-post and the stocks.  The accused besought his inexorable judge for some remission of the sentence, falling on his knees before him just as the hermit, with great solemnity, entered the hall.  His face was partly concealed by a large hood, and little of his countenance was visible above the long beard which flowed over his bosom, and the fire of his eye, which seemed to glow through the dark shadows beneath.

“Whom bring ye next for our disposal?” inquired the castellan; but there was no answer; every eye was directed to the hermit, who came slowly forward, standing opposite to, and within a very short distance from, the dread arbiter of justice in the castle of the Lacies.

“What brings thee to our presence?  Back to thy sanctuary; else we may deal with thee as with other knaves who live by their wits and the witlessness of fools.”

“What hath this man done amiss?” inquired the hermit, in a tone that showed his meekness to be disturbed, and his wrath evidently kindling; nor would the thunder be long ere it followed the flash.

“It is our pleasure!” answered Adam de Dutton, reddening with rage; “and furthermore our pleasure is, that thou get thee to thy cell, or, by the beard of St Michael, my bowmen shall help thee thither when this fellow hath had his allowance at their hands.”

“Fool!” cried the hermit, in a voice which struck terror through the assembly; and even the judge himself started back with amazement.

“Begone, child!” said Ulphilas to the culprit; “I dismiss thee of the punishment; peradventure thou hast deserved to suffer, but I give to this emissary a timely warning thereby.”

The criminal was not loth to obey, disappearing speedily without hindrance, while the spectators were mute with amazement.  The hermit, too, was silent before the usurper, who, almost frantic with vexation, cried out—­

“Seize him!—­help, for the Fitz-Eustace!—­treason against our Lady of Halton!”

Uttering many rapid and incoherent expressions, he approached the hermit, who stood unmoved, apparently the only unconcerned spectator in the rising tumult.  The seneschal’s guards were already in motion, but Adam was the first who attempted the seizure.