seemed so safe and strong and comfortable, up here in the rich
room, with the tall window looking on to the sunlit river, in a palace
girt about with guards; and yet the very security of it was his danger.
He had penetrated into the stronghold of the great beast that ruled
England: he was within striking distance of those red-stained claws and
teeth.

Then suddenly the creature stirred and snarled.

"I know it now, sir. You were one of the knaves that would not sign the
surrender of Lewes."

Chris lifted his eyes and dropped them again.

"God's Body," said the King, "and you come here!"

Again there was silence.

Chris saw his father half turn towards him with a piteous face, and
perceived that the lawyer had drawn a little away.

The King turned abruptly to Cranmer.

"Did you know this, my Lord?"

"Before God, I did not!"--but his voice shook as he answered.

Chris was gripping his courage, and at last spoke.

"We were told it was a free-will act, your Grace."

Henry said nothing to this. His eyes were rolling up and down the monk's
figure, with tight, thoughtful lips. Cranmer looked desperately at Sir
James.

"I did not know that, your Grace," he said again. "I only knew that this
priest's brother had been very active in your Grace's business."

Henry turned sharply.

"Eh?" he said.

Sir James's hands rose and clasped themselves instinctively. Cranmer
again looked at him almost fiercely.

"Mr. Ralph Torridon was one of the Visitors," explained the Archbishop
nervously.

"And this fellow a monk!" cried the King.

"They must have met at Lewes, your Grace."

"Ah! my Lord," cried Sir James suddenly. "I entreated you--"

Henry turned on him suddenly.

"Tell us the tale, sir. What is all this?"

Sir James took a faltering step forward, and then suddenly threw out his
hands.

"Ah! your Grace, it is a bitter tale for a father to tell. It is true,
all of it. My son here was a monk at Lewes. He would not sign the
surrender. I--I approved him for it. I--I was there when my son Ralph
cast him out--"

"God's blood!" cried the King with a beaming face. "The one brother cast
the other out!"

Chris saw the Archbishop's face suddenly lighten as he watched the King
sideways.

"But I cannot bear that he should be saved for that!" went on the old
man piteously. "He was a good servant to your Grace, but a bad one to
our Lord--"

The Archbishop drew a swift breath of horror, and his hands jerked. But