"Sanctuary," stammered Hilarius, "nay, good sir, I--"

The other laughed.

"Wert thou star-gazing, then, that thou could'st stray into these
precincts and know it not? This is the City of Refuge to which a
man may flee when he has robbed or murdered his fellow, or been
guilty of treason, seditious talk, or slander--a strange place in
which to see such a face as thine."

"I did but seek a quiet way home and lost the turning," said
Hilarius; "in sooth, 'tis a fearful place."

"Ay, boy, 'tis a place of darkness and despair, despite its safety-
-even the King's arm falls short when a man is in these precincts:
but from himself and the knowledge of his crime, a man cannot flee;
hence I say 'tis a place of darkness and despair."

The unspoken question shone in Hilarius' eyes, and the other
answered it.

"Nay, there is no blood on my soul, young sir. 'Twas good advice I
gave, well meant but ill received, so here I dwell to learn the
wisdom of fools and the foolishness of wisdom."

"Does the Abbat know what evil men these are that seek the shelter
of Holy Church?" asked Hilarius, perplexed.

"Most surely he knows; but what would'st thou have? It hath ever