The Cardinal-Archbishop reverently took the wafer from Tristan and held it up in two hands.
The men-at-arms sank to their knees with a rattle and ring of accoutrement.
Every one knelt.
Then in improvised procession, His Eminence restored the wafer to the tabernacle.
Tristan was dragged out of the chapel.
In the corridor horror-stricken men-at-arms buffeted him into some sort of consciousness. His bewildered ears caught the words: "To San Angelo," as he staggered between the men-at-arms as one in the thrall of an evil dream, leaving behind him a nameless fear and horror among the monks, priests and attendants at the Lateran.
END OF BOOK THE THIRD