Read Brother Cadfael 19: The Holy Thief for Free Online

listen as attentively to this persuasive and enthusiastic youth, and grant him, perhaps not all he demanded, but whatever was good for him.
    "If only," breathed Tutilo, burning up into his brightest and most irresistible radiance, "if only Ramsey had such a patroness, our future glory would be assured. All our misfortunes would be over. Pilgrims would come by the thousand, their offerings would enrich our house. Why should we not be another Compostela?"
    "It may be your duty," Cadfael reminded him dryly,"to work for the enrichment of your monastery, but that is not the first duty of the saints."
    "No, but that is what happens," said Tutilo, unabashed. "And surely Ramsey needs and deserves a particular grace, after all her sufferings. It cannot be wrong to plead for her enrichment. I want nothing for myself." That he corrected in haste the next moment. "Yes, I want to excel. I want to be profitable to my brothers and my Order. That I do want."
    "And that," Cadfael said comfortably, "she will certainly look upon with favour. And so you are profitable. With gifts like yours you should count yourself blessed. You go and do your best for Ramsey in the town, and give as good when you get to Worcester, or Pershore, or Evesham, and what more can possibly be required of you?"
    "What I can, I'll do," agreed Tutilo, with a great deal of resolution, but decidedly less genuine enthusiasm, and his eyes still dwelling fondly on Winifred's chased reliquary, points of silver shining in the candlelight. "But such a patroness... what could she not do to restore our fortunes! Brother Cadfael, can you not tell us where to find such another?"
    He took his leave almost reluctantly, looking back from the doorway, before he shook his shoulders firmly, and went off to submit himself to Herluin's orders, and undertake, one way or another, to unloose the purse-strings of the burghers of Shrewsbury.
    Cadfael watched the slender, springy figure stride away, and found something slightly equivocal even in the back view of the overlong curls, and the tender, youthful shaping of the nape of the neck. Ah, well! Few people are exactly what they seem on first acquaintance, and he hardly knew the boy at all.
    They sallied forth in solemn procession to the town, Prior Robert lending his dignified presence to add to the gravity of the occasion. The sheriff had notified the provost and Guild Merchant of the town, and left it to them to make sure that the whole of Shrewsbury recognized its duty, and would be present. Alms to so eminent a religious house in its persecution and need provided an infallible means of acquiring merit, and there must be many in so large a town willing to pay a modest price to buy off reprobation for minor backslidings.
    Herluin returned from his foray so clearly content with himself, and Tutilo bearing so heavy a satchel, that it was plain they had reaped a very satisfactory harvest. The following Sunday's sermon from the parish pulpit added to the spoils. The coffer Radulfus had donated to receive offerings grew heavier still. Moreover, three good craftsmen, master-carpenter and two journeyman masons, proposed to go back with the Ramsey men and seek work in the rebuilding of the gutted barns and storehouses. The mission was proceeding very successfully. Even R� of Pertuis had given good silver coin, as became a musician who had composed liturgical works in his time for two churches in Provence.
    They were scarcely out of church after the Mass when a groom came riding in from Longner, with a spare pony on a leading rein, to prefer a request from the Lady Donata. Would Sub-Prior Herluin, she entreated, permit Brother Tutilo to visit her? The day being somewhat advanced, she had sent a mount for his journey, and promised a return in time for Compline. Tutilo submitted himself to his superior's will with the utmost humility, but with shining eyes. To return unsupervised to Donata's psaltery, or the neglected harp in the hall at Longner, would