The man is in hiding somewhere in the woods about; but he will soon be caught and handed over to the secular power to be doomed to death.

And I like not the story of your sons' part in all this; it hath an ugly look." Sir Oliver hid his anxiety beneath a cloak of dignified submission.
He well knew the best way of putting things straight with the prior.
"I greatly grieve over the hotheadedness of the lads, but I will gladly make such amends as lies in my power.

They sinned in ignorance, as you, reverend father, believe, and for such sins the indulgence of the Church may be won by the payment of such sum as shall be thought right.

If you will tell me what I ought to give to purchase this indulgence, I will do my utmost to meet the just claim; and Holy Church shall be richer and not poorer for the trespass unwittingly made by the sons of Chad." The prior looked pleased at this ready suggestion, and named a sum which, though sufficiently heavy, was within Sir Oliver's means, and which he promised should be immediately paid.

He knew that the prior, though a man fond of money, and somewhat greedy in gaining possession of all he could, was not treacherous or unjust; and that if he had accepted this sum as the price of the pardon of the boys' escapade, he would stand their friend, and not allow them to be persecuted by Mortimer for the same offence, should the matter ever be brought up against them again.
Indeed, now that the arrangement had been so amicably entered into, Sir Oliver was rather glad that the subject had been broached.