Chapter the Second
Visitors
Brother Timothy Drops In
With the practiced ease of a born politician he addressed the most important man in the room first. "Ahh, Herr Grunewald, such a pleasure to see you again."
Now Herr Otto Grunewald normally enjoyed the company of Brother Timothy. Alone in the room, he was the only one who could tolerate the ambitious monk, but on this occasion the arrival had interrupted the industrialist's favorite activity; expressing his own opinions. In consequence he was a little short with the new arrival.
"What do you want?"
Some what taken aback by this greeting, Brother Timothy pulled his lips into what some may have called a grimace. "Err, the hospiallier just told me of your presence among us, I was just coming to offer you the hospitality of the Abbot's chambers."
"Very kind, I'm sure," growled Grunewald, "but as you can see, I am otherwise engaged at the moment. Please convey my compliments to the Abbot and ask him for the favor of a meeting when I am done here."
"But of course," purred Brother Timothy, smoothly covering over his discomfiture, "perhaps I could arrange for some refreshment in the mean time?"
As usual Grunewald spoke for himself and included every one else automatically, "We need nothing, thank you," and waved a hand in dismissal.
But Brother Timothy had not finished. "Brother Joseph, the sacristy awaits you. It must be ready for Vespers." Automatically Brother Joseph moved towards the door. Although it was many hours to Vespers, he wanted no trouble from Brother Timothy. Help, however, came from an unexpected source.
"I wonder if it would be too much trouble if Brother Joseph were to remain with us for a bit longer?" He speaker was Mr Brown. During the brief encounter he had instinctively summed up Brother Timothy, and did not like what he had seen. "We, of course, are only guests here, but we can only stay a short time. I'm sure the Abbot would be pleased to hear how much we are enjoying the company of Brother Joseph. We will, naturally, be talking with the Abbot later."
At this, Brother Timothy twisted his fingers some more, but he rapidly decided on a course of action. Brother Joseph could wait, there would be lots of time to deal with him later. "I am delighted that our humble monastery holds interest for such distinguished guests. Naturally Brother Joseph will be glad to help you any way he can. I look forward to seeing you later." With this he backed out of the room, closing the door behind him, but nobody heard him retreat down the corridor.