We have a more than ordinarily important visitor, thoughtCadfael. And he followed the prior’s progress into thedoorway of the abbot’s lodging with interest, not greatlysurprised to see the abbot himself issue forth a few minutes later,and set off up the court with Robert striding at his side. Two tallmen, much of a height, the one all smooth, willowy elegance,carefully cultivated, the other all bone and sinew and hard,undemonstrative intelligence. It had been a severe blow to PriorRobert when he was passed over in favor of a stranger, to fill thevacancy left by the deposition of Abbot Heribert, but he had notgiven up hope. And he was durable, he might even outlive Radulfusand come into his own at last. Not, prayed Cadfael devoutly, formany years yet.

He had not long to wait before Abbot Radulfus and his visitorcame down the court together, in the courteous and waryconversation of strangers measuring each other at first meeting.Here was a guest of too great and probably too private significanceto be housed in the guest hall, even among the nobility. A manalmost as tall as Radulfus, and in all but the shoulders twice hiswidth, well fleshed and portly almost to fat, and yet it waspowerful and muscular flesh, too. At first glance his was a facerounded and glossy with good living, full-lipped, full-cheeked, andself-indulgent. At second glance the lips set into a formidable andintolerant strength, the fleshy chin was seen to clothe adetermined jaw, and the eyes in their slightly puffy settings hadnevertheless a sharp and critical intelligence. His head wasuncovered, and wore the tonsure; otherwise Cadfael, who had neverseen him before, would have taken him for some baron or earl of theking’s court, for his clothing, but for its somber colors ofdark crimson and black, had a lordly splendor about its cut and itsornament, a long, rich gown, full-skirted but slashed almost to thewaist before and behind for riding, its gold-hemmed collar open in