Wherefore our father will not give him up to his enemies, but will contrive for him to escape.

That is what he has gone to the coast for today; and when he knows that a vessel is ready and about to sail, Brother Emmanuel must be spirited away in the dead of the night; and when the prior comes to search for him--as doubtless he will do when we can find him not--it will puzzle him to lay hands upon him, for he will be away on the high seas." "Good!" cried Julian, delighted.

"Edred, I mislike those cruel, crafty monks.

Methinks they are little like the saintly men of old who fled to the cloister to rid themselves of the trammels of the world.

I--" But Edred laid a hand upon his brother's arm and checked him suddenly, pointing to another stationary figure a short distance away amongst the trees--a figure wearing the dress of a lay brother of the priory, and engaged in keeping a close and careful watch upon the main entrance to the house.
"Hist!" whispered Edred; "we must not let him hear such words.
Julian, mark my word, this house is watched.