Evening star., 1927-05-03

head of the laymen. The Ragousans
paid their permanent officials well and
Blackwood, who occupied something
of the position of housekeeper to the
priors, found the life so much to his
liking that he, who had come to what
he Thoughts would be a temporary ap-
pointment, had held his position for
Is years. Most of the laymen had
been recruited in exactly the same
way. Blackwood had been hotel
manager who had fallen on evil times
when the grand prior had discovered
him. All the gardeners and cooks
were chosen from the lodges after
careful inquiry into their qualiffca-
tions. These laymen We're the veri-
table masters of the priory. since the
priors themselves had no permanent
habitation. Some stayed less than a
year and were replaced by fresh ap-
pointments. Nobody except Brother
John had remained since tire prior's
degree had been founded.
who has taken the place of
Brother John?" asked Pawter
Brother James, a very quiet and
pious man. was the reply. You've
come, of course. for the drawing?"
Pawter nodded.
II often wonder they haven't made
you a prior. Blackwood?"
The seneschaI smiled.
II prefer my position" he said
promptly. ITO live apart. to let no
man see your face. to speak to none,
spend ones time in contemplation
no, thank your"
You're a mixed lot" said the ir-
reverent Pawter, pulling at his cigar,
and Blackwood smiled.
There are a few not as great gen
he nfh l. lt,.1a
matically. Some of them cannot
stand the life, and want to leave at
the end of the first week. But they're
scared of the grand prior. Some would
stay for years, and are quite upset
when they're turned out to make
room for newcomers. Do You know,
Mr.. Pawter, that / haven't seen a
prior's face all the time I've been
here, except one who died?'
What do YOU do for doctor in
case anybody gets ill.," asked Pawter
curiously.
IF man gets i'll he's sent home, .
said the other. THE only real case
OF illness we've had was a year ago
when the grand prior was seized with
a heart attack. Unfortunately the
only man here who can drive car
was i'll, and two of the brethren had
to go out on to the road in the hope
of stopping a car bound for Newton
Abbot. BY great good luck they man
aged to hold car that was carrying
doctor to Exeter"
Pawter blinked quickly.
How long ago was this?'
Eighteen months"
''You don't happen to know the doc
tor?'
Blackwood shook his head.
n 1dy nv G
postern. At that time the grand prior
was very ill indeed, and on the verge
of delirium. 1t was Brother John
who went out to find him. Brother
John was beside himself"
Eighteen months ago"-PaWter
pinched his lower lip-'and you found
a doctor, eh?" He drew a long breath.
THAT explains lot-a whole lot
The seneschal tugged watch from
under his long robe.
"You'll have to get ready, sir" he
said, opening the cupboard, and took
out a silken gown, as Pawter stripped
his coat. You ought to be thankful
that you don't have to hide your face
either. 1t must be sitting on hot
night like this. Now / must go. You
| have everything you want?"
Pawter walked to the door and
| watched him go down the passage out
| of sight, and came back into the room
with new problem to ponder.
1t was five minutes to o'clock
when the summons came. He heard
| the shuttle of sandaled feet on the
stone flooring of the passage, and
there came a peculiar knock at his
| door.
''Who knocks?" he asked loudly.
1.-TWO priors of this proud order. >
came the deep reply.
Enter" he said, and the door
opened slowly.
Standing in the opening was a
masked and cowled figure, it's hands
| concealed in the deep openings of its
sleeves. Beyond him was another
similarly attired, and without a word
the two men turned and paced lei
surely down the corridor, and PawteI
| followed. When they reached the
courtyard where he had got out OF
the car, there was no sign of any
| layman. They proceeded along broad
garden path, nodding flowers to left
and right, through an archway, up a
short flight of steps, and along an
other path, until they came to the
carved door of a building. Here his
conductors stood, one on each side
and allowed him to pass.
He was in a small chapel familiar
TO hirn. Only the choir was occupied
and i'll the space where ordinarily wor
shippers would have knelt or sat was
big barrel with a handle attached tC
one end, and large table piled high
with small white, metaledged disks
His guides passed him. one walking