Chapter 12 Summary

A traveling knife sharpener and his girlfriend pick up Cardinal Bem. They tell him that the roadblocks are to catch the thieves that stole some government cars two nights before, and the authorities think a group of priests stole them. They tell him that children, accompanied by a priest, have been handing out leaflets advising people to be ready for an announcement from the clergy on Tuesday - the day of the jubilee celebrations at Rywald. Cardinal Bem wonders how many of his staff are in on it. They decide to camp down under the bridge on the river for the night.

Chapter 12 Analysis

The information the two give to Cardinal Bem is further confirmation of what he has feared is true, and makes him realize that much of the insubordination has been going on right under his nose for a long time...