contrive. But by all means let’s make the attempt. Roger deClinton can be a powerful persuader when he’s in goodearnest, and he’s in good earnest now, for his real quarry isthe Atabeg Zenghi in Mosul, and his aim the recovery of Edessa. AndHenry of Winchester will surely add his weight to the scale. Whoknows? I’ve primed the abbot,” said Hugh dubiously,“but I doubt if the bishops will call on the monastic arm,they’d rather keep the reins in their own hands.”

“And how does this, however welcome and however dubious,concern me closely?” Cadfael wondered.

“Wait, there’s more.” He was carrying itcarefully, for such news is brittle. He watched Cadfael’sface anxiously as he asked: “You’ll recall whathappened in the summer at Robert of Gloucester’s newly builtcastle of Faringdon? When Gloucester’s younger son turned hiscoat, and his castellan gave over the castle to theking?”

“I remember,” said Cadfael. “The men-at-armshad no choice but to change sides with him, their captains havingsealed the surrender. And Cricklade went over with Philip, intactto a man.”

“But many of the knights in Faringdon,” said Hughwith deliberation, “refused the treason, and were overpoweredand disarmed. Stephen handed them out to various of his allies, newand old, but I suspect the new did best out of it, and got thefattest prizes, to fix them gratefully in their new loyalty. Well,Leicester has been employing his agents round Oxford and Malmesburyto good effect, to ferret out the list of those made prisoner, anddiscover to whom they were given. Some have been bought outalready, briskly enough. Some are on offer, and for prices highenough to sell very profitably. But there’s one name, knownto have been there, listed with no word of who holds him, and hasnot been seen or heard of since Faringdon fell. I doubt if the namemeans anything to Robert Bossu, more than the rest. But it does tome, Cadfael.” He had his friend’s full and waryattention; the tone of his voice, carefully moderate, was a warningrather than a reassurance. “And will to you.”