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On the tenth day of December, Abbot Radulfusreturned, riding in at the gatehouse just as the daylightwas fading, and the brethren were within at Vespers. Thus theporter was the only witness of his arrival, and of the embellishedentourage he brought back with him, and not until the next day atchapter did the brothers hear all that he had to tell, or as muchof it as concerned the abbey itself. But Brother Porter, the soulof discretion when required, could also be the best-informed gossipin the enclave to his special friends, and Cadfael learnedsomething of what was toward that same night, in one of the carrelsin the cloister, immediately after Vespers.

“He’s brought back with him a priest, a fine tallfellow—not above thirty-five years or so I’d guess himto be. He’s bedded now in the guest hall, they rode hardtoday to get home before dark. Not a word has Father Abbot said tome, beyond giving me my orders to let Brother Denis know he has aguest for the night, and to take care of the other two. Forthere’s a woman come with the priest, a decent soul goinggrey and very modestly conducted, that I take to be some sort ofaunt or housekeeper to the priest, for I was bidden get one of thelay grooms to show her the way to Father Adam’s cottage, andthat I did. And not the woman alone, there’s another youngservant lad with her, that waits on the pair of them and does theirerrands. A widow and her son they could be, in the priest’sservice. Off he goes with only Brother Vitalis, as always, andcomes back with three more, and two extra horses. The young ladbrought the woman pillion behind him. And what do you make of allthat?”

“Why, there’s but one way of it,” saidCadfael, after giving the matter serious thought. “The lordabbot has brought back a priest for Holy Cross from the southlands,and his household with him. The man himself is made comfortable inthe guest hall overnight, while his domestics go to open up theempty house and get a good fire going for him, and food in store,and the place warmed and ready. And tomorrow at chapter, no doubt,we shall hear how the abbot came by him, and which of all thebishops gathered there recommended him to the benefice.”