But I must be
going, an it please thee-"

"Yea, verily thou wilt make a fine scholar one of these days. I am
glad thou hast so good an instructor. And that reminds me--I would
have speech with Brother Emmanuel some day soon. I have a missal
that I think he would greatly like sight of. I misdoubt me if the
prior would like it carried forth from the library; but if he would
meet me one day here in the forest, I will strive to secrete it and
let him have sight of it. It hath wonderful pictures and lettering
such as he loves. Wilt tell him of it, boy, and ask if he will have
sight of it?"

"I will tell him," answered Julian. "But I trow he will have naught
to do with it an it has been filched away from the library without
the reverend prior's permission. Brother Emmanuel teaches us more
of the doctrine of obedience than of any other. I trow he will not
budge an inch!"

A scowling look passed over the features of the monk, which had
hitherto been smiling and bland. He took Julian by the arm again,
and said in a low voice:

"I have something of import to speak to Brother Emmanuel. He will
do well to heed me, and to hear what I have to say. Bid him be at
this spot two days hence just as the sun goes down. Tell him if he
come not he may live to repent it bitterly."

"Wilt thou not come back with me?" asked the boy, with a quick,
distrustful look into the bloated face beneath the cowl. "Thou
canst speak at ease with him at home. It were better than out here
in the forest. I will lead thee to him straight, and thou canst say
all that is in thine heart."

But the monk dropped his arm and turned quickly away; his voice
bespoke ill-concealed irritation.

"I may not linger longer here. The vesper bell will be ringing by
now. Give Brother Emmanuel my message. I would see him here in the
forest. And now farewell, boy; go home as fast as thou wilt, and
put a bridle on thy forward tongue, lest haply it lead thee one day
into trouble."

The monk strode away in the direction of the priory. Julian took
the path towards Chad, with many backward glances at the retreating
figure, and hardly was it lost in the thick underwood of the forest
than he found his brother standing at his side.

"Thou here, Edred? Whence camest thou?"

Edred pointed to his leafy hiding place, and laid a finger on his
lips in token of caution. Julian pursued his way awhile in silence,
and only when they had increased the distance betwixt themselves
and