The Council has ordered that we should extort from him the papers you know of and has given us carte blanche as to the means.

If you others can persuade him to restore them peaceably, why, do it.

We are prepared to wait." Julian was still staring from one to the other of his visitors.

His expression of blank astonishment had scarcely decreased.
"Bishop," he said at last, "unless you want to see me go insane before your eyes, please explain.

It can't be possible that you have anything in common with this nest of conspirators." The Bishop smiled a little wanly.