But the sound was drawing nearer. Even before it grew so loud as to compelnotice there was no mistaking the anger in it, the menace and the dangerousexcitement, all the marks of the hunt. It sounded as if the pursuit had reachedthe point where the van chasseours had run the quarry to exhaustion, and theparfytours were closing in for the kill. Even at this distance it was clearthat some creature’s life was in peril.

The sound drew nearer now very rapidly, hard to ignore, though the precentorcontinued valiantly leading his flock in the office, and raised his voice andquickened his tempo to ride over the challenge. The younger brothers andnovices were shifting uneasily, even whispering, half stimulated, halfaffrighted. The murmur had become a ferocious, muted howl, as if gigantic beeswere in swarm after an intruder. Even abbot and prior had leaned forward readyto rise from their stalls, and were exchanging questioning looks in thedimness.

With obstinate devotion Brother Anselm lifted the first phrase of Lauds. Hegot no farther. At the west end of the church the unlatched leaf of the greatparish door was suddenly hurled open to crash against the wall, and somethingunseen came hurtling and scrabbling and gasping down the length of the nave,reeling and fumbling and fending itself off from wall and pillar, heaving atbreath as though run to death already.

They were on their feet, every man. The younger ones broke out in frightenedexclamation and wonder, nudging and wavering in doubt what to do. AbbotRadulfus in his own domain was hampered by no such hesitation. He moved withspeed and force, plucked a candle from the nearest sconce, and went stridingout round the parish altar in great, loping strides that sent his gown billowingout behind him. After him went Prior Robert, more tender of his dignity, andtherefore slower to reach the scene of need, and after Robert all the brothersin jostling agitation. Before they reached the nave they were met by a great,exultant bellow of triumph, and a rushing and scrambling of dozens of frenziedbodies, as the hunt burst in at the west door after its prey.