“Our brother, Sub-Prior Herward of Worcester,” said the abbot, “has come tous with an errand in which I have been unable to help him. Since many of youhere have been active in serving those unfortunates who came to us from thatcity, it is possible that you may have heard from them something which may beto the purpose. I have therefore asked him to repeat his request here to all.”

The visitor rose, to be better seen and heard by all present. “I am sent tomake enquiry after two noble children who were in Benedictine care in our town,and fled from it when the attack fell upon us. They have not returned, and wehave traced their steps as far as the borders of this county and there lostthem. It was their intention to make for Shrewsbury, and therefore, since ourorder is responsible for them, I came to find out whether they ever reachedhere. Father Abbot tells me that to his knowledge they never did, but it may bethat some others among the fugitives may have seen them or got word of them intheir travels, and spoken of them here among you. I should be grateful for anynews that might lead to their safe recovery. And these are their names: the girl Ermina Hugonin, almost eighteen years of age, who was inthe care of our sister convent in Worcester, and her brother Yves Hugonin, whowas in our charge, and is only thirteen. They are orphaned of both parents, andtheir uncle and natural guardian has long been overseas in the Holy Land, andis only now returned, to be met by the news of their loss. It will beunderstood here,” said Brother Herward wryly, “that we feel ourselves greatlyto blame for having failed in our charge, though to say truth, we are notwholly at fault. As this thing befell, it was taken out of our hands.”

“In such confusion and peril,” agreed Radulfus ruefully, “it would be muchto ask of any man that he should order all successfully. But children of suchtender age…”