Distorted lips parted painfully to loose a light, high, wary voice like afrightened child’s. “No, Father Abbot, I swear it!”

“Get up,” said the abbot, neither trusting nor judging. “Stand close, andlay your hand upon this casket on the altar. Do you know what it contains? Herewithin are the bones of the blessed Saint Elerius, the friend and director ofSaint Winifred. On these holy relics, consider and answer me once again, as Godhears you: are you guilty of that which they charge you?”

With all the obstinate, despairing fervour so slight a body could contain,and without hesitation, the light voice shrilled: “As God sees me, I am not! Ihave done no wrong.”

Radulfus considered in weighty silence an unnerving while. Just so would aman answer who had nothing to hide and nothing to fear from being heard in Heaven.But no less, so would a godless vagabond answer for his hide’s sake, having nofaith in Heaven, and no fear of anything beyond the terrors of this world. Hardto decide between the two. The abbot suspended judgement.

“Well, you have given a solemn word, and whether it be true or no, you havethe protection of this house, according to law, and time to think on your soul,if there is need.” He looked at Cadfael, and eye to eye they considered theneeds that came before all. “He had best keep to the church itself, I think,until we have spoken with the officers of law, and agreed on terms.”

“So I think, also,” said Cadfael.

“Should he be left alone?” They were both thinking of the pack recentlyexpelled from this place, still hungry and ripe for mischief, and surely notgone far.

The brothers had withdrawn, led back to the dortoir by Prior Robert, veryerect and deeply displeased. The choir had grown silent and dark. Whether thebrethren, particularly the younger and more restless, would sleep, was anothermatter. The smell of the dangerous outer world was in their nostrils, and thetremor of excitement quivering like an itch along their skins.