Elinor ran on still faster to greet her. It was the first time they had met since the midnight mass at St. Gabriel's. The older woman took her in her arms.
"So you could not go on living with Mary? Neither could I. She is a good woman, better belike than either you or I, yet—well, different. And when she has once made her decision, angels and archangels could not move her. Never mind, we must win the fight without her."
"Oh, Margaret, do you think there is any ray of light?"
"Foolish child, waste no energy in wondering when light will come; but stumble on in the darkness as best you may. I have several scouts from Kent Fort scouring the trail between St. Mary's and St. Gabriel's. So far they have met with little success, except for one trifle,—one tiny straw,—yet it may show the set of the wind."
"What? Oh, what?"
"Why, Master Halfehead found by the side of the path, on the low bough of a bush not ten paces from where the priest's body hung, the tag of a point such as men use to lace hose and breeches together. It had a bit of the green point hanging to it still."
"But any might have worn that."
"Not such a tag as this. It was made of wrought gold and had an emerald brilliant set at the tip's end. That tiny green gem must be our guiding star."
"But how to follow it?"