Hast thou any knowledge where the priests of Baal have bestowed the
vessels of their mockery of worship."

Stead moved not a muscle of his face. He had no acquaintance with
priests of Baal or their vessels, so that he was not in the least
bound to comprehend, and one of them exclaimed "The oaf knows not
your meaning, corporal. Speak plainer to his Somerset ears. He
knows not the tongue of the saints."

"Ho, then, thou child of darkness. Know'st thou where the mass-
mongering silver and gold of this church be hidden from them of whom
it is written 'haste to the spoil.' Come, speak out. A crown if
thou dost speak--the lash if thou wilt not answer, thou dumb dog."

Stead was really not far removed from a dumb dog. All his faculties
were so entirely wrought up to resistance that he had hardly
distinguished the words.

"Come, come, Stead," said Jeph, "thou art too old for thine old sulky
moods. Speak up, and tell if thou know'st aught of the Communion Cup
and dish, or it will be the worse for thee. Yes or no?"

Stead made a move with his shoulder to push away his brother, and
still stood silent.

"There," said Jeph, "it is all Faithful's fault for his rough
handling. His back is set up. It was always so from a boy, and
you'll get nought out of him."

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of