So I went away into a parlour, and washed myself, and took some food, and after a while the old clerk that had written the letter to me, came in and saluted me.

I was desirous to know how all had come about, so we sat there a great while in the window seat, with the door a little open into the bed-chamber, and he told me the tale.  I did not speak one word till he had done.

This was how it came about.

* * * * *

Master Richard was sent for from his cell to the parlour of my lord cardinal, but my lord was not ready for him, and he had to stand a great while in the court to wait his pleasure.  The rumour ran about as to who it was, and a great number of persons assembled from all parts, some from the palace, and some from the streets.  These had so cried out against the young man, that the billmen were sent for from the guard-room to keep him from their violence.  This priest had looked out from a window at the noise, and seeing the crowd, had entreated my lord to have the prisoner in without any more delay.  So he was brought in, and one was left to keep the little door that led to the privy stairs up which he came.

It was then that this priest had seen him face to face, and I will try to write down his words as he told them me.

“I came into the parlour,” he said, “through the door behind my lord’s chair, as Master Raynal was brought in by the other door.

“I have never seen such a sight, Sir John, as I saw then.  He was in his white kirtle only, with the five wounds upon his breast, and he had on his sandals.  But his face was as that of a dead man:  his eyelids were sunk upon his cheek, and his lips hung open so that I could see his bare teeth.

“There were two men who led him by the arms, and he would have fallen but for their assistance, and I immediately whispered to my lord to let him sit down.  But my lord was busy and anxious at that time, for he had but just come from the King, who was no better and would take no meat nor speak at all.  So he paid no heed to me, and presently began to ask questions of Master Raynal, urging him to confess what it was that he had done, and threatening him with this and that if he would not speak.

“But Master Raynal did not speak or lift his eyes; it seemed as if he did not hear one word.

“My lord told him presently that if temporal pains did not move him, perhaps, it was that he desired spiritual—­for my lord was very angry, and scarce knew what he was saying.  But Master Richard made no answer.  I will tell you, Sir John, plainly, that I thought he was but a fool to anger my lord so by his silence, for it could not be that he did not hear:  my lord bawled loud enough to awaken the dead, and I saw the folk behind, some laughing and some grave.

“It would be full half an hour after noon before my lord had done his questions, and lay back in his chair wrathful at getting no answer, though the men that held Master Raynal shook him from side to side.