ere privy to it all, and were
standing, observing and approving; for Master Richard remembered what
the holy man had said as to the five wounds marked upon the linen, and
how he would not need to wear them much longer.

* * * * *

After about half-an-hour, as he supposed, the voices waxed louder in the
other room; and presently one came out from it in the black dress of a
physician. He was a pale man, shaven clean, a little bald, and very
thin. It was that physician that died last year.

He said nothing, though his face worked, and he beckoned sharply to
Master Richard.

Master Richard went immediately across the floor and through into the
further room.

There were a dozen persons gathered there, all staring upon the King,
who sat in a great chair by the table. Two or three of these were
servants, and the rest of them, with my lord cardinal, the nobles that
had been in the palace at the time of the King's seizure. My lord
cardinal was standing by the chair, very stern and anxious-looking; and
all turned their faces, and there was an angry whisper from their
mouths, as the young man came forward and halted; and the physician shut
to the door.

But Master Richard did not observe them closely at that time; for he was
looking upon the King.

The King sat very upright in his chair; his hands rested on the carved
arms; and his face and eyes were as if made of Caen stone, chalky and
hard. He was looking out from the room, Master Richard said; and Master
Richard knew at once what it was that he was seeing. It was that of
which the holy youth had spoken; and was nothing else than the passion
and death that came upon him afterwards. The words that the King had
heard had opened the eyes of his soul, and he was now seeing for
himself.

Before that any could speak or hinder, Master Richard was on his knees
by the King, and had laid his lips to the white right-hand, seeing as he
did so the red ring on the first finger. My lord cardinal sprang forward
to tear him off, but the King turned his stony eyes; and my lord fell
back.

Then Master Richard knew that he had not given the whole message; and
that our Lord had not intended it at first. The message of the passion
and death was to be first; and the second, second--first the wound, and
then the balm.

So he began to speak; and these were the words as he told them to me.

"My lord King," he said, "Our Lord does not leave us comfortless when