In the long run it does sometimes prove to be the strongest weapon a man can wield; but the temptation to meet craft by craft, deceit by deceit, is strong in human nature, and until a much later date was openly advocated as the only policy sane men could adopt when they dealt with foes always eager to outwit them.

And certainly these lads would have felt themselves justified in going to far greater lengths to save their father from suspicion, or their preceptor and friend from peril.
"Then thou heardest all?
I scarce know why I spoke as I did, for our father has always been the friend of the brethren of Chadwater.
But the look in the man's eye made me cautious, and I minded a few parting words spoken by Bertram.

Tell me, Edred, what it is that is stirring; I would know more." "Verily it is that Brother Emmanuel stands in some peril from those of his own community.

He has written something they mislike, and they mean to have him back to answer for it.

Both he and our father think that if once he enters Chadwater again he will never come forth alive.