The young man who had taken a pace ahead of his supporters, and whose priorright they seemed to acknowledge, stood forth flushed and important, anunexpected figure enough to be out man-hunting at midnight. He was tall andwell-made and assured of manner, a little too well aware of a handsome face,and he was very elegant in festival finery, even if his best cotte was nowsomewhat crumpled and disordered from the turmoil of pursuit, and hiscountenance red and slack from the effects of a good deal of wine drunk. Withoutthat induced courage, he would not have faced the lord abbot with quite so muchimpudence.

“My lord, I will speak for all, I have the right. We mean no disrespect tothe abbey or your lordship, but we want that man for murder and robbery donetonight. I accuse him! All here will bear me out. He has struck down my fatherand plundered his strong-box, and we are come to take him. So if your lordshipwill allow, we’ll rid you of him.”

So they would, never a doubt of it. Radulfus kept his place, the brotherscrowding close to complete the barrier.

“I had thought to hear you make some amend,” said the abbot sharply, “forthis intrusion. Whatever this fellow may or may not have done, it is not he whohas shed blood and drawn steel here within the church on the very steps of thealtar. Violence he may have done elsewhere, but here none, he does but sufferit. The crime of sacrilege is yours, all of you here breaking our peace. Youhad best be considering on the health of your own souls. And if you have a lawfulcomplaint against this person, where is the law? I see no sergeant here amongyou. I see no provost, who could at least make a case for the town. I see arabble, as far at fault in law as robber and murderer can be. Now get hence,and pray that your offence may be pardoned. Whatever charges you have to make,take them to the law.”

Some among them were drawing back stealthily by then, sobering and thinkingbetter of their invasion, and only too anxious to sneak away to their homes and