" Pike ! " cried the Abbot in horror. " As well shut up
a wolf in our sheepfold. How came a pike in the pond?
There were no pike last year, and a pike does not fall with
the rain nor rise in the springs. The pond must be drained,
or we shall spend next Lent upon stockfish, and have the
brethren down with the great sickness ere Easter Sunday
has come to absolve us from our abstinence."

" The pond shall be drained, holy father ; I have already
ordered it. Then we shall plant pot-herbs on the mud
bottom, and after we have gathered them in, return the
fish and water once more from the lower pond, so that they
may fatten among the rich stubble."

" Good ! " cried the Abbot. " I would have three fish-
stews in every well-ordered house — one dry for herbs, one
shallow for the fry and the yearlings, and one deep for the
breeders and the table-fish. But still, I have not heard you
say how the pike came in the Abbot's pond."

A spasm of anger passed over the fierce face of the sacrist,
and his keys rattled as his bony hand clasped them more
tightly. "Young Nigel Loring!" said he. "He swore
that he would do us scathe, and in this way he has done it."

" How know you this ? "

" Six weeks ago he was seen day by day fishing for pike
at the great Lake of Frensham. Twice at night he has
been met with a bundle of straw under his arm on the
Hankley Down. Well, I wot that the straw was wet and
that a live pike lay within it."



12 Sir Nigel

The Abbot shook his head. " I have heard much of this
youth's wild ways ; but now indeed he has passed all bounds
if what you say be truth. 