... He wondered whether God were angry or no.
Whether this kind of duty were according to His will. Down there was
Padley, where he had heard mass in the old days; Padley, where the two
priests had been taken a few weeks ago. He wondered--
"If it please your honour we will break in this panel," came the smooth,
sneering voice that he loathed.
He turned sullenly.
They were opposite the old picture. Beneath it there showed a crack in
the wainscoting.... He could scarcely refuse leave. Besides, the
woodwork was flawed in any case--he would pay for a new panel himself.
"There is nothing there!" he said doubtfully.
"Oh, no, sir," said the man with a peculiar look. "It is but to make a
show--"
The old man's brows came down angrily. Then he nodded; and, leaning
against the window, watched them.
* * * * *
One of his own men came forward with a hammer and chisel. He placed the
chisel at the edge of the cracked panel, where the informer directed,
and struck a blow or two. There was the unmistakable dull sound of wood
against stone--not an echo of resonance. The old man smiled grimly to
himself. The man must be a fool if he thought there could be any hole
there!... Well; he would let them do what they would here; and then
forbid any further damage.... He wondered if the priest really were in
the house or no.
The two men had their heads together now, eyeing the crack they had
made.
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