the ranking officer in this Chapter, that has
not yet been dissolved, to reveal the same."

The monks whispered among themselves. Then one stood forth.

"There is none among us who knows the secret, most reverend Prior," he
answered.

"You hear, sir?" said Father James.

De Lacy nodded. "Yet I must trouble you to answer me a little further.
Do you know this glove and kerchief? I found them in the room next to
the Abbot's."

The Prior took them and after a glance held them inquiringly toward the
Chancellor and Father Albert; but each disclaimed all knowledge.

"I fear me, sir, we cannot help you. . . Women are not unknown in the
Abbot's quarters; yet none of us has ever seen them close enough to
know them. It is thought he uses for them one of the secret passages
which opens somewhere beyond the Abbey walls. Leastwise, you may be
assured no one has ever ventured to refer thereto in the holy Aldam's
hearing. So, my lord, these articles might belong to any of a dozen
demoiselles--with religious inclinations," and he chuckled. . .
"Yet--here is a cognizance upon the kerchief which may tell much to one
acquainted with escutcheons. It is three chevrons gules, I take it."

"They are the arms of Clare, and the Countess is its heiress," said De
Lacy.

"Then she you seek has, indeed, been here!"

"And is here still, though I have failed to find her."

"Nay--methinks not. There have been no gentle ones with his reverence
these last five days."

"You are sure of that?"

The Prior's broad face expanded in a grin. "Well, sir, you see we have
thought it good to keep a religious eye upon our worthy head."

De Lacy drew off his steel gauntlet.

"See you this ring?" he said, holding up the Boar. "In the name of the
King I promise you, Sir Prior, the Abbotcy of Kirkstall, and your good
fellows each a grade in rank, if you will aid me to capture this Aldam
and to recover the Countess of Clare."

Father James's face flushed slightly at the prospect, and the Sub-prior
and the Chancellor drew nearer in sudden interest.

"It is a tempting offer," the Prior said; "yet though you promised us
all the red hat of a Prince Cardinal, we could give you no more
assistance than we have already done. Nathless, fair sir, we shall do
whatever lies in our power."

"It is a bargain. When the Abbot is a prisoner or the lady saved, the
new dignities are yours . . . Monks of Kirkstall, harken!" he cried to
those upon the ben