“Her concealment!” replied De Litherland, starting up angrily from the couch.  “Her concealment!  They who hide may find.  I know not aught of the wench, save that she was mad, and drowned herself.  But why not inquire of Sir Thomas?  The maiden was not in my keeping.”  He paced the chamber haughtily, but with a disturbed and lurid aspect.

“Yet,” replied the other, “it is well and currently reported, and witnesses there be who have already testified as to a fact, that some of your men were seen the night of her withdrawal lurking in her path, and that screams and other manifestations of the outrage then perpetrated were heard in this direction.  Not that we deem any blemish can attach to your reverence in this matter.  Still”—­

“Why dost thou hesitate in thy speech?” said the prior, in a voice almost inarticulate with choler.

“I would say,” answered De Poininges, “that it is our wish, and your duty, to search into this dark question, without favour or prejudice; and, further, we do reckon that the Prior of Burscough is not without the means to discover, and the power to punish, his offending vassals.”

“And whose evil star guided thee hither with this insolent message?” inquired the prior, pale and trembling with rage.

“Those whom your reverence may not lightly contemn.  I have here a warrant from the Council to procure all fitting help and suppliance for the bringing up the body of Margaret de la Bech, who is suspected of being detained in this neighbourhood, by persons hitherto unknown, against her own proper will and consent.”

The prior paused for a space.  A somewhat more placid expression and demeanour was the result.

“I am no stranger,” said he, “to this idle and mischievous rumour.  Means have been used to discover its likelihood or credibility, but we find it to be utterly false and unworthy of our notice.  The inventor of these tales shall not long escape.”

“Yet hath she been a-missing ever since,” said De Poininges, warily; “and in vain hath search been made for the body.  And furthermore, we have her own expressed apprehension, as it regards one she durst not name, and a perilous foreboding of the evil that awaited her.  It is to this source, yet obscure, I must own, that our inquiries are to be directed.”

“Tarry here until the morning, and I will then give thee some further discourse on the matter.”

“Nay, Sir Prior,” answered De Poininges.  “I thank your grace’s courtesy, but this night I must away to the village or town hereabout, Ormschurch I think it be, and there, in all likelihood, I may abide for some days.”

The prior bit his lips, but sought not to oppose his intent, further than by giving a hint that foul weather was abroad, and of the good cheer and dry lodging the priory afforded.  De Poininges, however, took his way afoot, returning to the town, where his horse and two trusty attendants awaited him at the tavern or hostel.