[CHAPTER XV]. FATHER CUTHBERT'S DIARY AT CLIFFTON.
SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT.--
The evening, after the Vesper service in the church was over, and darkness had closed in, we all sat down to our evening meal. The doors were shut to keep out the storm, and I had already said grace, when the Etheling suddenly appeared.
His manner struck us all. He looked wild and agitated, and his first words cast a chill over us.
"Where is Alfgar?"
"Is he not with you, what has happened?" said I and Herstan, speaking in the same breath.
"No, I have lost him. I had hoped to find him here; they must have murdered him," he cried.
"Murdered him?"
"Yes, he was too dangerous to Edric to be suffered to live. I might have foreseen it; and they have put him out of the way by cowardly assassination," insisted the Etheling.
There was too much reason in his words.