hough he knew what was
to be said, and had heard the sermon in question, had neither forbidden
it beforehand nor denounced it afterwards, and that the undersigned
entreated the King's clemency for the fault and submitted himself
entirely to his Grace's judgment.

"I--I dare not accuse my superior," stammered the monk.

Dr. Layton glared at him, laying the paper down.

"The question is," he cried, "which would you sooner offend--your Prior,
who will be prior no longer presently, or the King's Grace, who will
remain the King's Grace for many years yet, by the favour of God, and
who has moreover supreme rights of life and death. That is your choice,
reverend father."--He lifted the paper by the corners.--"You have only
to say the word, sir, and I tear up this paper, and write my own report
of the matter."

The monk again glanced helplessly at the two men. Ralph had a touch of
contentment at the thought that this was Christopher's superior, ranged
like a naughty boy at the table, and looked at him coldly. Dr. Layton
made a swift gesture as if to tear the paper, and the Sub-Prior threw
out his hands.

"I will sign it, sir," he said, "I will sign it."

When the monk had left the room, leaving his signed confession behind
him, Dr. Layton turned beaming to Ralph.

"Thank God!" he said piously. "I do not know what we should have done if
he had refused; but now we hold him and his prior too. How have you
fared, Mr. Torridon?"

Ralph told him a little of his experiences since his last report, of a
nunnery where all but three had been either dismissed or released; of a
monastery where he had actually caught a drunken cellarer unconscious by
a barrel, and of another where he had reason to fear even worse crimes.

"Write it all down, Mr. Torridon," cried the priest, "and do not spare
the adjectives. I have some fine tales for you myself. But we must
despatch this place first. We shall have grand sport in the
chapter-house to-morrow. This prior is a poor timid fellow, and we can
do what we will with him. Concealed treason is a sharp sword to threaten
him with."

Ralph remarked presently that he had a brother a monk here.

"But you can do what you like to him," he said. "I have no love for him.
He is an insolent fellow."

Dr. Layton smiled pleasantly.

"We will see what can be done," he said.

* * * * *

Ralph slept that night in the guest-house, in the same room that Chris
had occupie