"We left them at daybreak much distressed over a most dastardly outrage perpetrated upon the Countess of Clare and Sir John de Bury," said Aymer abruptly, watching the monk's face—but all he saw there was blank amazement.
"Holy Mother! my son, what do you mean?" he cried.
"That they were set upon last evening near the Hermit's Cell by a band of cut-throats; Sir John all but murdered, and the Countess carried off."
The Cistercian raised his arms in horrified surprise.
"Incroyable! Incroyable!" he exclaimed.
And Lord Darby began to swear copiously in French.
"What were the facts, and what has been done for rescue?" the Abbot asked.
Briefly De Lacy told of the riderless horse and the finding of Sir John de Bury. Of the story revealed by De Bury's finger and head in answer to the King's questioning and the fact that a hundred men-at-arms had been searching the country since the late evening of yesterday, and particularly as to Flat-Nose having led the assailants, he was most careful to say not a word.
When he had finished, Lord Darby went off again in a storm of fierce imprecation; this time, however, in good Anglo-Saxon. And the Abbot was seemingly so stunned by Aymer's recital that he did not note the irreverence of his lordship, who was let free to curse away to his heart's content until brought up by De Wilton.
"Take a fresh start, Darby; you are repeating yourself. Change off again into French."