"
"Bide where you are, O man of blood," said Sir Andrew sternly: "and pray
that a better mood be given to you before it is too late."
"Ay, Father," he answered unabashed. "I'll pray, and it is as well that
one should wait to watch the door lest you should all presently become
men of blood against your will."
Turning to the right, Sir Andrew led them down steps to a passage
underground that joined the Temple to the Church of the Holy Virgin and
St. John. It was but short, and at the end of it they found a massive
door which he unbolted, and, passing this door, entered the great
building, whereof the silence and the icy cold struck them like blows.
They had but two lanterns between them, one of which Master de Cressi
and his elder sons took with them to the nave of the church. Bearing the
other, Sir Andrew departed into the vestry, leaving Hugh and Eve seated
together in the darkness of the chancel stalls.
Presently his light reappeared in the confessional, where he sat robed,
and thither at his summons went first Hugh and then Eve. When their
tales were told, those who watched in the nave of the splendid
building--which, reared by the Knights Templar, was already following
that great Order to decay and ruin--saw the star of light he bore ascend
to the high altar. Here he set it down, and, advancing to the rail,
addressed the two shadowy figures that knelt before him.
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