if you chose to give it maybe we might aid or advise you. Our prior
is a kindly man and very gentle with the faults of others."

"We are Saxons, father. We were wrecked four days since near St.
Valery, and are now bound on an errand of high importance to Duke
William, to whom it is urgent we should arrive as soon as possible.
We have run sore peril on the way, and have been stripped of our
money and valuables."

"Is your mission of importance to the duke as well as to yourselves?"
the monk asked gravely.

"It is of great importance to him. I am sure that he would consider
that any one who assisted us on our way had done him good service."

The monk look earnestly at them. "I will speak to the prior," he
said. He returned in a few minutes and bade them follow him.

The prior was a tall, gentle old man. "I have heard your story from
brother Gregory," he said, "and I wished to see you that I might
judge for myself whether so strange a tale, as that two shipwrecked
boys should have important business with our duke, could be believed,
before I did aught to help you forward. You look to me honest of
purpose and of gentle blood, and not, I am sure, belonging to the
class of wayfarer who will trump up any story for the purpose of
gaining alms. Whether your errand with the duke is of the importance
you deem it I cannot say, but if you give me your word that you
consider it an urgent matter, I will aid you to proceed at once."

"We do indeed consider it most urgent, father, and we are sure that