Skipper Johndam, unheeding, prompted, "Well, Miz Salome? Why did yore big brother feel th' need t' bring 'is weapon with 'im? Couldn't've known those bad varmints'd be lurkin' about, waitin' for him, could he?"

Salome's temper rose, and, forgetting her apprehension, she leapt to her feet."Why in Mossflower would anybeast bring a weapon along? D'you

fancy these Woods are some sort o' . ..placid 'aven?" (A phrase from

one of Marianne's songs.)

"Well, they ain't - an' of all creatures you ought t' know! If Samuel 'adn't

brought th' axe along they'd've been deadbeasts - him an' Muryet!"

Skipper Johndam shouted back, "If not for yore axe, eh, Samuel? I'd promote ye t'

Abbey Champion anyday - it was plain bad luck yore sister lost or forgot yore dagger, lke the daft, good-'earted little creature she is!"

Salome was incensed. "I ain't daft! An' Samuel ain't never called me daft!"

"Oh, he didn't, did you, Big Brother? Would ye mind goin' out an' findin' th' dagger

yore sister forgot or lost - she didn't seem t' be certain which one it was! Are ye sure she didn't forget it in yore

chamber, or in one o' yore tunic pockets?"

Samuel slammed his paw down on the table surface. "I give my word

I don't 'ave th' blasted dagger! Salome, shut yore mouth an' sit down! You

Are daft - daft an' stupid! A hollow'eaded, clueless,

washed-up-with-th'-silt-of-th'-river oaf!"

The Abbess rose just as Salome crumpled into her chair."Enough! Iwill not tolerate that sort of language! This

nonsense must cease immediately! Marianne, go to the kitchens to assist Friar Jerome; you

are no longer needed in Great Hall. Samuel, Salome, you will be

confined to your chamber until further notice. I wish to hear nobeast

speaking, besides myself and Skipper Johndam - that is, Skipper, if you feel

that you are able to speak and behave like a creature of Redwall

Abbey!"

Shamefaced, the Skipper mumbled an apology -not to the two ferrets, who

were taking their leave, but to the creatures in general.

Marianne retreated to the kitchen, as she was told - but, a few moments

later, she reappeared, with Friar Jerome. The Friar had wrangled with Sister Bethelle, hoping to be permitted to visit Muryet, but had returned, defeated.

As shaken as she was, Marianne performed a passable curtsy."May I speak, Mother

Abbess?"

Abbess Elinor regarded her for a moment. "Have you anything helpful to

say, miss?"

Without replying to this question, Marianne pointed to Friar

Jerome."Friar, didn't you say earlier that eating bread and pastries

mightn't 'arm Muryet after all?"

Friar Jerome folded his paws. "Aye, missie, I said may'ap Samuel was

I also said I wouldn't take th' risk. What of it?"

Marianne cast an appealing look in the Abbess's direction."See, Mother

Abbess? Salome didn't go t' 'arm Muryet. I swear it!"

Friar Jerome actually took a step backwards."Missie, what in th'name o' seasons . .."

Marianne bit her lip. "You gave Muryet cake yoreself, Friar, remember? You sent me with

A little cake for her once!"

Skipper J. turned to look at him."Is that so, Friar?"

Friar Jerome reclined against the wall."Aye, I it wasn't nothin'

regular - it was done on a feast day, th' first cake she'd 'ad in seasons. An' she was locked up in that gate'ouse an' didn't intend t'

come out - for bread or anythin' else!"

Skipper J. made a noise of

impatience."Never mind when she got th' cake! Miz Marianne, you brought th'cake

to her, I'm assumin'. Did ye notice 'er lookin' groggy or actin' queer after she

ate it?"

Marianne realized then that she had blundered, and made an unsuccessful

effort to avoid the Skipper's eyes. "Wasn't there t' see he reat it, sir."

"Did you see her th'next day?"

"No, sir."

The Skipper's face

was inscrutable. "I see. Salome 'elped you t' pack sweets for Muryet, is that right?"

"Aye, sir, but -"

"Did ye stay long enough t' see Muryet eatin' 'em?"

"Aye, but Salome -"

"Did you see her actin' ill - or queer in any

way?"

No good would come of lying."She acted drunk, sir." Marianne's voice

was flat.

"Drunk?"

Marianne held a miserable, but obstinate silence.

"Hage you anything more to say, Marianne?" the Abbess asked.

Marianne was unwilling to give up so easily; she made one last

desperate attempt. "Skipper, 'ow could you say Samuel would 'urt Muryet? I was

with 'im from th' moment we left Muryet, an' he gave th' dagger t' Salome to

play with before he went t' check on her!"

Skipper J. raised an eyebrow."An' ye saw Salome lose the blade?"

Marianne opened her mouth to reply, and realized, of a sudden, that she

had seen nothing. She had fallen asleep shortly after Samuel's departure.

Now, the Friar came over and placed a paw upon the

squrrelmaid's

shoulder. His voice was gentle."Come an' 'elp me in th' kitchens,

missie. No use in stickin' yore snout into problems when you can't do anythin'

for 'em."

Wordlessly, Marianne obeyed. Salome had received similar advice - if only she had taken it!

As soon as he had closed the door, Samuel turned and cuffed Salome hard

across the ears. She fled to the bed and tried to

scramble under the blankets, but Samuel seized her by the shoulder and hauled

her upright. With his free paw, he thrashed her across the face and head.

"Wot in Hellgates is th' matter with you, Salome? Why d'you act like a blasted fool?".