“My lord prior, and you knights and gentlemen,” he said suddenly, addressing all those who sat at the board in one comprehensive glance round the table.  “I have been not a little disturbed and astonished today by hearing that there is ill known of one who has been long a member of my household—­Brother Emmanuel—­whom the reverend prior himself sent forth to be the instructor of my sons, and who has always comported himself right reverently and seemly in my house.  But inasmuch as there is cause of offence in him, and that he has this day refused obedience to his lawful superior, and has not come at the bidding of the prior, I cannot but own him in fault, and decline to have further dealings with him.  I do not know whether he is yet at Chad.  I have not seen him since his farewell last evening.  But if he be yet there, let the Lord of Mortimer, or you, holy father, send a company of servants to bring him thence.

“I have heard it whispered around that he is hiding within the walls of Chad, and that we of that household know where he lurks.  My reply to that whisper is a denial (which I will take upon oath if need be) that I know aught whatever about him; and furthermore, I will throw open my house, upon any day and at any time, to whatever persons shall be sent to seek him, and will aid them in every possible way in the finding of the offender.”

A murmur of approval went round the company.  The prior looked pleased, and a smile crossed his face.

The only person who did not seem gratified by this openness was the Lord of Mortimer, whose face contracted sourly, and who gave a keen glance at his rival, as though he would have read his very soul.  But the calm gaze with which Sir Oliver returned this look did not appear to restore his equanimity, and he flashed a glance at his son-in-law which plainly betokened surprise and chagrin.

“Well spoken, Sir Oliver,” said the prior; “and since I have excellent reason to know that the brother has not left Chad, and cannot do it without my knowledge, it is plain to me that he is hiding in some place there, albeit all unknown to you and yours.  Wherefore, on the morrow, I myself, together with my good friend the Lord of Mortimer, will present ourselves at Chad, and make full search, and we shall no doubt find the heretic monk cowering away in some undreamed-of hiding place, and will drag him thence to the fate he so well merits.

“Chad has its secrets, has it not?  I have heard of them in days gone by.”

“It has several cunning nooks and crannies, but all of these will I myself display to you upon the morrow,” replied the knight calmly; and the Lord of Mortimer arose with a crafty smile upon his face, and addressed the prior in these words: