"Thou art to return to the hospitium," said the first servant to
Humphrey. "It is the canon's order. He will see this nephew of the
prior's and inquire more narrowly concerning his journey. And say thou
naught of this rescue to any man. We four do the canon's bidding at all
times, but our tongues wag not of the matter."
"When the canon is compelled, thou doest his bidding?" asked Humphrey.
"Ay, when he is compelled. He hath those of his kin who have suffered
wrong at the king's hands. Therefore is he often compelled, as thou
sayest, but he sayeth naught, and so the king knoweth naught. May he be
long ignorant."
The first servant now withdrew himself from Humphrey's side, and in due
time, still under cover of the friendly mist which spread its curtain
over the streets of the town, the little party regained the hospitium
unseen. As soon as their arrival was known Hugo was summoned to the
presence of the canon; and the handsome, fearless youth, as he entered
the room where the canon awaited him, seemed to strike his host with
surprise.
"Thou the nephew of Roger Aungerville!" he exclaimed, when they were
alone.
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