“Brother Emmanuel, thou must not adventure thyself beyond the courtyard till this watch ceases.  Were they spies of my Lord of Mortimer’s, we might go forth and drive them hence.  But none may lay a finger on a monk.  They are all ready with a story that they are on the watch for some heretic in hiding in the woods.  I spoke to one to see what he would say, and he began about the hunchback of the fair, whom they have not caught yet, and professed to be watching for him.  Doubtless they would all say the same did any question them; but they strive to keep out of sight as far as may be, and some have found hollow trees where they might pass days and nights and none be the wiser.”

There could be no study for the boys that day; they were too deeply moved and excited.  Moreover, Edred had his father’s charge to keep, and as sundown was nigh at hand, the two brothers visited every gate and portal and saw the house made fast within and without.

An air of excitement and mystery seemed to permeate the place.  The servants had caught some of the infection, and whispers of loyalty and affection were murmured many times in the boys’ ears as they pursued their round.  At last, all being safely ordered, they went by common consent to their own room, and stood looking at the secret door which led to the hiding place none knew of but themselves and Warbel.

“I trow we shall need it now,” said Edred.  “But all is in readiness for the fugitive; all has been done save to bring in the victuals.  Brother, shall we do that this very night?  I would there were a supply there for a month, and a couple of gallon jars of good mead and some bottles of wine.  We must put water there, too, but not till the last minute.  They say men must have water, else they die; but sure they could live for long on good mead and ale.  Hath Bertram any plan for getting water to the chamber save what we can carry ourselves?  He said he would not rest till we had done somewhat; but—­”

A light sparkled in Julian’s eyes.

“Come, and thou shalt see, thou brother of books,” he said.  “Whilst thou hast been doing thy penance for what sin we know not, and been reading amain with Brother Emmanuel, we have not been idle.  Come, and I will show thee what we have contrived.  I trow none need perish of thirst in the secret chamber now who knows aught of our contrivance.”

With eager steps Julian led the way, and Edred no less eagerly followed.  It was very dark in the secret chamber; but the means of kindling a light were now there, and soon a small dim lantern was lighted.

“Come hither,” said Julian, taking the light and leading the way into a corner that lay beneath the leads of the house; and when there Edred saw a metal trough or receiver, rudely made but effectual for the purpose of holding any liquid, something similar to what the animals in the yard were fed and watered from.  Above this trough was a piece of iron pipe with a bung at the end.