"Reverend archdeacon," said Placidus to the man on horseback and in the black robe, "we began to despair of your arrival; but you are still on time. The whole colony--men, women, girls and children--is assembled at the monastery, and only God knows the abominations that are taking place there under the very eyes of Loysik, who incites these sacrilegious excesses!" "These scandals are about to come to an end and to receive condign punishment, my sons. Can the horses of these riders and the wagon that carries my baggage be risked in that punt?" "Reverend archdeacon, the cavalry is too numerous for one trip; we shall have to make three or four passages before they can all be transported to the opposite bank." "Gondowald," said the archdeacon to the Frankish chief, "how would it be if we leave your horses and my mule and wagon temporarily on this side of the river? We could march straight upon the monastery with your horsemen following you on foot." "Whether on foot or on horseback, they will be enough to execute the orders of my glorious mistress, Queen Brunhild, and to dust with the shafts of their lances the backs of those monks of Satan and of those rustic plebs if they dare offer any resistance." "Reverend archdeacon, we who know what the monks and people of the Valley are capable of, we are of the opinion that, should they rebelliously resist the orders of our holy bishop of Chalon, twenty warriors will not suffice to overpower them." Gondowald cast a disdainful look at the priest, and did not even consent to make an answer. "I do not share your fears, my dear sons; and I have good reasons for my opinion," answered the archdeacon haughtily. "Here we are all in the punt--push off!" A short while later the archdeacon, Gondowald the chamberlain of Queen Brunhild, and the Queen's twenty warriors landed on the Valley shore, casqued, cuirassed and armed with lances and swords. From their shoulders hung their gilt and painted bucklers. "Is the distance long from here to the monastery?" inquired the archdeacon as he set foot on land. "No, father; it is at the most a half hour's walk if we move briskly." "Lead the way, my dear sons--we will follow." "Oh, father, the impious people of this community little dream at this hour that the punishment of heaven is ready to descend upon their heads!" "Move quickly, my sons--justice will soon be done." "Hermanfred," said the chief of the warriors turning to one of the men in his troop, "have you with you the rope and iron manacles?" "Yes, seigneur Gondowald." CHAPTER IV. BRUNHILD AND FREDEGONDE.