course he’d believe what they told him, and credit it all to thesaint. Catch him missing such a chance! No, I wouldn’t say he was a partyto it—not knowingly. But he gave them the opportunity for a splendiddemonstration of grace. You notice it was Jerome who was set to take care ofhim overnight! It takes only one man to be favoured with a vision, but it hasto be the right man.” He rolled a sprig of the young green leaves sadlybetween his palms, and the fragrance distilled richly on the early morning air.“And it will be the right men who’ll accompany Prior Robert intoWales,” he said with sour certainty. “You’ll see!”

No doubt about it, this young man was hankering after a glimpse of the worldagain, and a breath of air from outside the walls. Brother Cadfael pondered,not only with sympathy for his young assistant, but also with some pleasurablestirrings of his own. So momentous an event in the otherwise even course ofmonastic life ought not to be missed. Besides the undoubted possibilities ofmischief!

“True!” he said thoughtfully. “Perhaps we ought to takesome steps to leaven the lump. Wales should not be left with the notion thatJerome is the best Shrewsbury can muster, that’s very true.”

“You have about as much chance of being invited as I,” saidBrother John with his customary bluntness. “Jerome is sure of his place.Prior Robert must have his right hand with him. And Columbanus, fool innocent,was the instrument of grace, and could be made to serve the same turn again.Brother Sub-Prior they have to take along, for form’s sake. Surely wecould think up some way of getting a foot in the door? They can’t movefor a few days yet, the carpenters and carvers are working hard on thissplendid reliquary coffin they’re going to take with them for the lady,but it will take them a while to finish it. Get your wits to work, brother!There isn’t anything you couldn’t do, if you’ve a mind! Prioror no prior!”