The Heretic's Apprentice by Ellis Peters

Serlo was certainly present, but had said not a word until now. In Gerbert’s presence he went in awe and silence. ‘I am sure,’ said Radulfus with emphasis, ‘that he will hold, as I do, that though we may be justified in making a first enquiry into the charge made, we cannot proceed further without referring the case to the bishop, within whose discipline it falls. If we find upon examination that the charge is groundless, that can be the end of the matter. If we feel there is need to proceed further with it, then it must be referred to the man’s own bishop, who has the right to deal with it by whatever tribunal he sees fit to appoint.’
    â€˜That is truth,’ said Serlo gallantly, thus encouraged to follow where he might have hesitated to lead. ‘My bishop would certainly wish to exercise his writ in such a case.’
    A judgement of Solomon, thought Cadfael, well content with his abbot. Roger de Clinton will be no better pleased to have another cleric usurping his authority in his diocese than Radulfus is to see any man, were it the archbishop himself, leave alone his envoy, twitching the reins away from him here. And young Elave will probably have good reason to be glad of it before all’s done. Now how did he come to let down his guard so rashly with witnesses by, after one fright already past?
    â€˜I would not for the world trespass upon the ground of Bishop de Clinton,’ said Gerbert, hastily jealous for his own good repute, but not sounding at all pleased about it. ‘Certainly he must be informed if this matter proves to be true substance. But it is we who are faced with the need to probe the facts, while memories are fresh, and put on record what we discover. No time should be lost. Father Abbot, in my view we should hold a hearing now, at once.’
    â€˜I am inclined to the same opinion,’ said the abbot drily. ‘In the event of the charge turning out to be malicious or trivial, or untrue, or simply mistaken, it need then go no further, and the bishop will be spared a grief and an aggravation, no less than the waste of his time. I think we are competent to probe out the difference between harmless speculation and wilful perversion.’
    It seemed to Cadfael that that indicated pretty clearly the abbot’s view of the whole unfortunate affair, and though Canon Gerbert had opened his mouth, most probably to proclaim that even speculation among the laity was itself harm enough, he thought better of it, and clenched his teeth again grimly on the undoubted reserve he felt about the abbot’s attitude, character and fitness for his office. Men of the cloth are as liable to instant antipathies as are ordinary folk, and these two were as far apart as east from west.
    â€˜Very well,’ said Radulfus, running a long, commanding glance round the assembly, ‘let us proceed. This chapter is suspended. We will summon it again when time permits. Brother Richard and Brother Anselm, will you see all the juniors set to useful service, and then seek out those three people named? The young woman Fortunata, the shepherd Conan, and the accused man. Bring them here, and say nothing as to the cause until they come before us. The accuser, I take it,’ he said, turning upon Jerome, ‘is already here without.’
    Jerome had lingered in the shadow of the prior’s skirts all this time, sure of his righteousness but not quite sure of the abbot’s recognition of it. This was the first encouragement he had received, or so he read it, and visibly brightened.
    â€˜He is, Father. Shall I bring him in?’
    â€˜No,’ said the abbot, ‘not until the accused is here to confront him. Let him say what he has to say face to face with the man he denounces.’
    *
    Elave and Fortunata entered the chaper-house together, open of face, puzzled and curious at being summoned thus, but plainly innocent of all foreboding. Whatever had been said unwisely