“Assuredly, madam,” answered the surgeon.

The abbess gave the necessary orders to a couple of young nuns, who hurried off to obey them.

In less time than the abbess required, they came back and reported that the room was ready for the patient.

“Now, then, Monsieur le Docteur, you may remove your patient,” said the abbess, courteously.

The surgeon, assisted by two of the countrymen, tenderly lifted the wounded man, and laid him on the leaf of the gate, and, preceded by an aged nun to show the way, bore him off toward the Old Men’s Home.

One of the Englishmen and one of the gend’armes followed him.

The remaining two Englishmen and two gend’armes showed no disposition to depart.

The abbess was not two well pleased at this masculine invasion of her sanctuary, and so after waiting for some explanation of their presence from these strange men, she went up to them and inquired, with suggestive politeness: 

“May we know, messieurs, how we can further serve you?”

“Your pardon, holy madam, but we are not willing intruders.  I am Inspector Setter, of Scotland Yard, London, at your service.  The wounded man is one John Scott, charged with complicity in the murder and robbery of the late Sir Lemuel Levison of Lone Castle.  I bear a warrant for his arrest, countersigned by your chief of police.  But for the prisoner’s dying condition, we should convey him back to England immediately.  As it is, we must hold him in custody here until the end,” said the elder and more respectable-looking of the two Englishmen.

“I am very sorry to hear what you have to tell me; but since it seems your duty to remain here on guard for the security of your prisoner, I think it would be better that you should be nearer to him.  The Old Men’s Home will afford the most proper lodging for you as well as for him.  One of my nuns will show you the way there, when a room near that of your wounded prisoner shall be assigned you,” said the abbess, with grave courtesy, as she beckoned a withered old nun to her presence, and silently directed her to lead the way for the strangers to the lodging provided for them.

“John Scott, the half brother of the Duke of Hereward, charged with complicity in the murder and robbery at Castle Lone!  Well, I am more grieved than surprised,” murmured the abbess to herself.

Then she sent the younger nuns and novices about their several duties, and directed one of the elders to see that the refectory was restored to order.

The abbess was about to return to her own room when she was stayed by the re-entrance of Inspector Setter, the three gend’armes, and the countrymen.

The abbess looked up in a grave inquiry at this second intrusion.

“I beg your pardon, reverend madam; I have come to report to you the condition of your wounded guest, and to relieve you of the presence of these trespassers,” said Inspector Setter, indicating his companions.