The chime had hardly died away, when they heard the tread of horses, and soon three riders came in view in the dim light of the stars; and the boys recognised the Abbot, with two attendants, one his faithful serving man, the other a stranger. Cuthbert dashed forward. “My Lord Abbot,” he said, “one moment, it is I, Cuthbert, and here is Gregory Bell.” “Cuthbert and Gregory Bell; why are you here, boys?” “We have heard a plot against you: men are waiting at the ‘Cross Keys’ to arrest you, and take you for trial at Wells; they say it will cost your life.” “On what charge?” “Concealing the Abbey plate.” The Abbot smiled sadly. “My children,” he said, “this can hardly be true, yet if it _be_ as you say, I will not fly a jury of my countrymen.” “Neither could he,” said the stranger on his left hand, “if he _would_; my duty is to see him safe to Glastonbury, unless relieved beforehand by royal authority.” “You see, my Cuthbert and Gregory, that your devotion is all in vain; neither _would_ I avail myself of it if I _could_. Mount on the pillion behind me, Cuthbert; my good Ballard here will take Gregory behind him, and you may return with us to Glastonbury, if such return be permitted.” “It never will be, never will be,” said Cuthbert, with sinking heart. And how that young heart beat, as they approached the “Cross Keys,” and as a line of men, forming across the road, stopped the cavalcade. “My Lord Abbot, we arrest you in the King’s name.” “On what charge?” “Robbery of the Abbey Church.” “This is a base pretence, to deprive me of the credit of martyrdom for my convictions: but there was One who suffered more for me.” And the Abbot yielded himself peacefully to those who sought his life. FOOTNOTES [15] Advantage was taken of the Abbot’s compulsory absence to take the necessary steps for the dissolution of the monastery. (Froude.) [16] In some private memoranda of Thomas Cromwell, which still exist in his own hand-writing, occur the words,--“Item. The Abbot of Glaston to be tried at Glaston, and also to be _executed_ there with his accomplices.” The trial, however, took place at Wells, the execution (a foregone conclusion) at Glastonbury, as related in the story. CHAPTER VI. _THE TRIAL._ The period of English history of which we are now writing has been aptly called “The Reign of Terror.” England under Thomas Cromwell, and France under Robespierre, were alike examples of the utter prostration which may befall a mighty nation beneath the sway of one ruthless intellect.