"Then you must come home with me, and share the noon meat, after which I can give you my time until evensong." He made no objection, and we returned to the Priory together, where he took his noon meat in the guest chamber, and I devoted all the time between the meal and nones to an examination of my catechumen. I found that poor Kyneswith had impressed all the primary truths of our holy faith deeply upon his mind, although he wanted much building up, and needed instruction in details; he seemed deeply impressed by the main facts of the life and teaching of our blessed Lord, particularly His message of peace on earth, good will towards men, contrasting so forcibly with the faith of his own people. The time passed rapidly away, and we went to the minster church at three, when nones and evensong were said together, for we could not keep the people till the proper hour for the latter office, owing to the darkness of November. When the holy office was over, I accompanied my brother part of the way home, for I wanted to communicate my suspicions, and to learn whether he shared them. It was a dark and gloomy eventide: the sun, which had only made its appearance at intervals during the day, was fast sinking behind a heavy bank of clouds which filled the western horizon; and the wind, which was freshening to a gale, seemed to bear the storm onward in its track, while it tore the few surviving leaves rudely from the trees, and whirled them in mazy windings. "Elfwyn," said I, "what do you suppose was the true object of the sheriff in bidding folks keep indoors tonight?" "I cannot divine, unless he has some deed of blood on hand which he wishes to have undisturbed, all to himself and his underlings." "Siric spoke mysteriously." "Yes; if there is aught going on amiss, he has a hand in it." Here I communicated my fears respecting Alfgar, whom I had invited, with my brother's permission, to sup at the hall. "Could you not keep the poor fellow with you all night? I fear his father is in some danger, as well he may be, acting as wickedly as he did this very morn." "I will try to persuade him to stay, he is along with Bertric and Ethelgiva; they are only a few steps behind. Cuthbert, I have ordered every one of my theows and ceorls to be obedient to your warning if they wish to preserve their allegiance to Aescendune, or to escape chastisement, and I think none of them are likely to be abroad tonight." "Can you not find out what the sheriff has told them? I saw him speaking to one or two." "I will try. You must be my guest tonight, or at least for a few hours." "Nay, I must return to compline; I may be wanted tonight, and ought to be at my post," said I. We arrived at the old home, dear familiar place! stronger and better built than most such houses, because, being burnt down in my father's younger days, it had been rebuilt in a more substantial manner, and was capable of sustaining a formidable attack successfully.