"Whom bring ye next for our disposal?" inquired the castellan; but there
was no answer; every eye was directed to the hermit, who came slowly
forward, standing opposite to, and within a very short distance from,
the dread arbiter of justice in the castle of the Lacies.
"What brings thee to our presence? Back to thy sanctuary; else we may
deal with thee as with other knaves who live by their wits and the
witlessness of fools."
"What hath this man done amiss?" inquired the hermit, in a tone that
showed his meekness to be disturbed, and his wrath evidently kindling;
nor would the thunder be long ere it followed the flash.
"It is our pleasure!" answered Adam de Dutton, reddening with rage; "and
furthermore our pleasure is, that thou get thee to thy cell, or, by the
beard of St Michael, my bowmen shall help thee thither when this fellow
hath had his allowance at their hands."
"Fool!" cried the hermit, in a voice which struck terror through the
assembly; and even the judge himself started back with amazement.
"Begone, child!" said Ulphilas to the culprit; "I dismiss thee of the
punishment; peradventure thou hast deserved to suffer, but I give to
this emissary a timely warning thereby.
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