her from the wrath and unjust tyranny of the prior;
but Edred felt as though the greatest responsibility had been his,
though he could scarcely have said why.

Julian had certainly taken the lead in the final act of the drama;
but Julian was yet a boy, and did not thoroughly realize the perils
which might follow such a course. Edred did, and his face was grave
and thoughtful; and when from time to time he stole a glance at
Bertram, he saw that his elder brother's face was overcast and
anxious, too.

They did not dare to exchange a single word upon the subject
nearest to their hearts as they rode decorously behind their
parents and the two monks. The whole train had to restrain their
horses to the ambling pace of the steed bestridden by the monks,
who were by no means skilled riders; and dusk had fallen ere they
all rode into the courtyard of Chad, where the bustle of
dismounting afforded the brothers the chance of escaping for a few
minutes to their upper chamber together.

"We must not stay a minute; the spies will be after us!" whispered
Bertram. "But one question I must ask. Is he there?"

"Yea, verily; and none need visit him for many days. It were better
not.

"But, brothers both, lend me your strong arms here. I would move
this great chest across the fireplace. Ask no question; I will show
you why anon."

Edred was the speaker, and he indicated an enormous carved oak
chest quite twelve feet in length, which was kept in this room to
hold the clothing of the three lads. They did from time to time
change its position in the room, so that no remark would be excited
by the fact that it had been moved. As Edred wished to place it
now, it would stand right across the fireplace, blocking entirely
the secret door; but Bertram looked a little doubtfully at it when
it was in place, saying tentatively:

"Thou dost not think it would draw attention to the carved pillars
of the fireplace? We shall have cunning and crafty men to deal with
on the morrow."

Edred smiled slightly.

"Wait till the morrow comes, and thou shalt see," he answered; and
then the brothers hastened down again, knowing that any sudden
disappearance on their part might be marked and held as suspicious.

They had not, however, been gone long enough to be missed, and the
two monks who had been told off to keep watch within this house had
but just made their way into the hall, where hot spiced wine was
being dispensed, and the table set out for s