"What do I see?" exclaimed Mr. Fowden, in astonishment, "Father Jerome here! Why I was told you were in Newton."
"His reverence ought to be there," said Markland, who had now come up.
"I must have an explanation of your strange conduct, sir," said the magistrate.
"His reverence had better be careful what he says," observed Markland.
"Answer one question, and answer it truly, as you value your own safety," pursued Mr. Fowden. "Are you alone in these rooms?"
The priest looked greatly embarrassed. Markland made a gesture to him behind the magistrate's back.
"Are you alone here, I repeat?" demanded Mr. Fowden.
"I have no one with me now, sir, if that is what you would learn," replied the priest.
"Then you have had a companion. Where is he? He cannot have left the house. The drawbridge is guarded."
"He is not in this part of the house," replied the priest. "I will give you further explanation anon," he added, in a lower tone. "All I need now say is, that I am here on compulsion."