"Those whom your reverence may not lightly contemn. I have here a
warrant from the Council to procure all fitting help and suppliance for
the bringing up the body of Margaret de la Bech, who is suspected of
being detained in this neighbourhood, by persons hitherto unknown,
against her own proper will and consent."
The prior paused for a space. A somewhat more placid expression and
demeanour was the result.
"I am no stranger," said he, "to this idle and mischievous rumour. Means
have been used to discover its likelihood or credibility, but we find it
to be utterly false and unworthy of our notice. The inventor of these
tales shall not long escape."
"Yet hath she been a-missing ever since," said De Poininges, warily;
"and in vain hath search been made for the body. And furthermore, we
have her own expressed apprehension, as it regards one she durst not
name, and a perilous foreboding of the evil that awaited her. It is to
this source, yet obscure, I must own, that our inquiries are to be
directed."
"Tarry here until the morning, and I will then give thee some further
discourse on the matter."
"Nay, Sir Prior," answered De Poininges.
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