The old man lying on the bed roused up at the sound of voices, and feebly called to the young priest. "I want Miles Paton," he whispered, when the young priest leaned over him; "and give me the casket we brought with us," he added.
"It is justice, my son; justice that must be done before there can be peace again for our holy house," he said, when Sir Miles came to him.
Sir Miles looked at the young priest, and touched his forehead, to indicate that the old man was wandering in his mind.
But Father John shook his head. "He has told me all about the casket, and what it contains, since he has been lying here. One or two of the other brethren also know of its existence, and that is why he begged me to stay by him to the end, that I might deliver it into your hands if he should not live to do it himself."
"I can go in peace now," feebly uttered the dying man; and as he spoke he took the casket from Father John, and with his last remaining strength he placed it in Sir Miles' hand. "Receive the blessing of an old man with it," he gasped, and then he closed his eyes as though his work on earth was done.
Sir Miles sat and shared the watch of the young priest, for they could see the end was very near now, and in less than an hour the old Prior had crossed the river we call death, a placid smile resting on his face, as though he had died with the comfort of the thought that justice had been done at last.
"What did he mean by giving me this?" said Sir Miles, when the last breath had been drawn.
"I have written a statement at my master's dictation. I may tell you this, that nearly all the monastery land belongs of right to the Patons. By force or fraud this has been taken from your ancestors, and this casket contains the old deeds, and a statement of how they were obtained, and my master bade me tell you to claim your own again."
Sir Miles rose and shook his head. "That will be of little use," he said, as he left the room, but he took the casket with him, and sending a servant to the priest for orders, he retired to his chamber. Sir Miles saw some of the younger monks the next day, and told them that if they remained there they must accommodate themselves to the rule of the household, which was,—work for everybody who was able to work. But if they liked to try their fortune elsewhere, their wallets should be well-filled for a three days' journey; and he advised that those who had friends should go to them, and see whether they could render them any help; or, they could go to London, and try, as others were doing, to obtain a pension or employment from the Vicar-General, who was directing all these matters.
For the older monks, some of whom were past work and quite friendless, well, Sir Miles would provide for these for the present, although he warned them that he could only give them plain, homely fare, and that he should expect them to keep their own quarters clean, and not make mischief with either the tenants or the servants.