--smiting the table with his fist.

"Then together be it, and welcome. Here is to the Countess and her
rescue ere the morrow's sun go down!" and he filled two goblets with
wine.

"And death and confusion to her captors," Sir John echoed, raising high
his glass.

Clad in full mail and followed by threescore men-at-arms and as many
archers the two Knights set out from Pontefract the following morning.
After due discussion they had determined that the time for cautious
indirection was passed and that there would be no quibbling with the
Abbot of Kirkstall. He would be called upon to produce the Countess or
to disclose where she was hidden, as well as to confess all that he
knew concerning the abduction. They were not in a mood to argue or to
be trifled with; and ill would it be for Aldam if he tried evasion or
grew stubborn.

And that they came in spirit scarce pacific was declared by their first
act when the Abbey was reached. With the haft of his battle-axe De
Lacy struck the outer gate a resounding blow; and getting no prompt
response, followed it with a second that rang among the buildings and
corridors within. Straightway there came the shuffle of sandaled feet
and a fumbling at the wicket, which opening slowly, disclosed the
rotund face and heavy, sleepy eyes of Father Ambrose.

"Well! what means this unseemly bluster?" he began. . . . "Your
lordships' pardon--I will open instantly," and hurried to remove the
bars.

"We seek speech with the Lord Abbot," said De Lacy, halting beside the
lodge, while the soldiers filed into the courtyard and drew into line
at the farther side.

The monk watched this proceeding with blank surprise.

"Hear you not?" Aymer demanded sharply, letting his mailed hand fall
heavily on the other's shoulder. "We seek the Abbot."

Father Ambrose shrank back in amaze at the tones and action.

"His reverence is engaged at present in a session of the Chapter," he
faltered.

"Good--we will interrogate him there," Aymer answered; and Sir John and
he galloped across to the church and dismounted.

In the Chapter-house, the brothers, both ecclesiastical and lay, were
assembled in convocation. On the dais, in the recess at one side of
the hall, sat the Abbot in his great carved chair of state. He was
leaning slightly forward, chin on hand, regarding with calm and
critical scrutiny the faces of the white-robed throng below him. And
the monks, crowded on their narrow oaken benche