It will be remembered that one of the theows who had borne Elfric home from the field of battle had become alarmed by the suspicious aspect of things at the hall, and had escaped, by prompt evasion, the confinement which awaited his companions. Oswy, for it was he, thus showed his natural astuteness, while he also conferred the greatest possible obligation upon Elfric, since he bore the news of his ill-timed arrival at once to the priory.
Here his worst suspicions were confirmed; and the faithful thrall heard for the first time of the death of his late lord, and that he had given his young master into the hands of his bitter foes. Alfred was at once summoned; and a conference was held, in which Father Cuthbert, his brethren, and the chamberlain and steward of the hall, took part.
“It is now generally believed,” said Father Cuthbert, “that Redwald is the bitter enemy, for some reason, of the house of Æscendune. Has any one here suspected that reason?”
No one could give any reply.
“I fear what I am about to say,” he continued, “will startle you all. Redwald is a member of the family himself.”
“A member of the family!”
“Yes. Is there any one present who remembers the unhappy brother of our late lamented lord—Oswald, the son of Offa?”
“Yes,” said the old chamberlain, “I remember him well; and I see now what you mean.”
“Is not the expression of the face identical? Are they not the same features, as one might say?”
“Yet Redwald is much darker.”