Pontefract."

"And Sir Aymer knows he is ever welcome at Kirkstall, both on his own
account and because he is of the Household of the royal Richard," the
Abbot answered easily; "and I trust His Majesty and his gracious
consort are in the best of health."

"We left them at daybreak much distressed over a most dastardly outrage
perpetrated upon the Countess of Clare and Sir John de Bury," said
Aymer abruptly, watching the monk's face--but all he saw there was
blank amazement.

"Holy Mother! my son, what do you mean?" he cried.

"That they were set upon last evening near the Hermit's Cell by a band
of cut-throats; Sir John all but murdered, and the Countess carried
off."

The Cistercian raised his arms in horrified surprise.

"Incroyable! Incroyable!" he exclaimed.

And Lord Darby began to swear copiously in French.

"What were the facts, and what has been done for rescue?" the Abbot
asked.

Briefly De Lacy told of the riderless horse and the finding of Sir John
de Bury. Of the story revealed by De Bury's finger and head in answer
to the King's questioning and the fact that a hundred men-at-arms had
been searching the country since the late evening of yesterday, and
particularly as to Flat-Nose having led the assailants, he was most
careful to say not a word.

When he had finished, Lord Darby went off again in a storm of fierce
imprecation; this time, however, in good Anglo-Saxon. And the Abbot
was seemingly so stunned by Aymer's recital that he did not note the
irreverence of his lordship, who was let free to curse away to his
heart's content until brought up by De Wilton.

"Take a fresh start, Darby; you are repeating yourself. Change off
again into French."

Darby turned upon the young Knight with a gesture of sharp surprise.

"None but a weakling could hear Sir Aymer's tale without a rush of hot
resentment," he exclaimed.

"By the Rood! I observed only a rush of oaths," Sir Ralph laughed.

Darby's quick anger flamed up; and jerking off his riding gauntlet he
flung it at De Wilton's face. But the Abbot dexterously caught the
glove.

"For shame, Lord Darby, for shame!" he said, "that you, a man in life's
full prime, should so far forget your knighthood over a bit of innocent
banter. Nor may you, Sir Ralph de Wilton, accept the gage. This is
holy ground; dedicated to the worship of the Humble One; and I charge
you both, by your vows of humility, to let this matter end here and not
to carry it