“In the name of God,” said Abbot Heribert devoutly, “Iapprove that project, and pray the blessing of heaven upon it!”

“He had it all planned beforehand,” said Brother John over thebed of mint, between envy and scorn. “That was all a show, all thatwonder and amazement, and asking who Saint Winifred was, and where to find her.He knew it all along. He’d already picked her out from those he’sdiscovered neglected in Wales, and decided she was the one most likely to beavailable, as well as the one to shed most lustre on him. But it had to comeout into the open by miraculous means. There’ll be another prodigywhenever he needs his way smoothed for him, until he gets the girl here safelyinstalled in the church, to his glory. It’s a great enterprise, he meansto climb high on the strength of it. So he starts out with a vision, and aprodigious healing, and divine grace leading his footsteps. It’s as plainas the nose on your face.”

“And are you saying,” asked Brother Cadfael mildly, “thatBrother Columbanus is in the plot as well as Brother Jerome, and that fallingfit of his was a fake, too? I should have to be very sure of my reward inheaven before I volunteered to break the paving with my forehead, even toprovide Prior Robert with a miracle.

Brother John considered seriously, frowning. “No, that I don’tsay. We all know our meek white lamb is liable to the horrors over a penancescamped, and ecstasies over a vigil or a fast, and pouring ice-cold water overhim at Holywell would be the very treatment to jolt him back into his rightwits. We could just as well have tossed him in the fish-pond here! But of