The Lazarus Prophecy by F. G. Cottam Read Free Book Online Page A

must be taken on trust. They are not tangible or demonstrable. They do not qualify as evidence.’
    â€˜Neither do the Gospels, by your definition,’ Brother Philip said.
    â€˜Who was this Daniel Barry?’
    â€˜He came from Dublin. He was first a sailor,’ Brother Philip said. ‘He was a sometimes prize-fighter. In his more reflective moments he wrote song and verse.’
    â€˜Sounds like one of those Byronic all-rounders,’ Cantrell said, ‘common only to the 19th century.’
    â€˜He was both common and uncommon,’ Brother Stephen said. ‘He was not an aristocrat like Lord Byron. He was intelligent. He was resourceful. He was physically formidable.’
    â€˜The fasting didn’t weaken him?’
    â€˜He was not required, in his role, to fast,’ Brother Dominic said. ‘And it ill-becomes you, Father, to make fun of us.’
    â€˜How did he stumble across your Order?’
    â€˜We recruited him,’ Brother Philip said. ‘His faith was staunchly held and sometimes a Soldier of God must be a warrior. At the outset he was unconvinced. We were able to convince him. He took on his mission with hope and resolution.’
    â€˜You haven’t convinced me,’ Cantrell said.
    â€˜Please,’ Brother Philip said. He sounded desperate. ‘Please read his account.’
    Cantrell remembered the Cardinal’s instruction to treat them kindly. He looked at his wristwatch. It was approaching 3.30 in the afternoon. He was absolutely determined he wouldn’t spend the night enduring their hospitality. He had more than sufficient daylight left for his descent to where he had left the rental Jeep. It was June and wouldn’t be dark until comfortably after 9pm.
    He said, ‘I’ll take it away with me.’
    â€˜That’s forbidden,’ Brother Stephen said.
    â€˜By whom is it forbidden?’
    â€˜We exist in a condition of necessary secrecy,’ Brother Philip said.
    â€˜That’s my condition. That’s my only condition,’ Cantrell said to them. ‘I give my solemn word I’ll read Barry’s account. I’ll give my solemn word not to show it to another living soul. But I need to take it away with me to contemplate its implications fully. I will not be coerced and I won’t be rushed.’
    â€˜You give us no choice,’ Brother Dominic said.
    â€˜None,’ Cantrell said.
    â€˜Then we must accede,’ Brother Philip said.
    Cantrell said, ‘When I arrived here, you mentioned your prayers and observations. There are also the rituals you perform, are there not?’
    â€˜Not since the Cardinal wrote to us threatening the sanctions he did unless we stopped,’ Brother Stephen said. ‘We have not performed any of our rites since then.’
    â€˜How long ago was that?’
    â€˜Just over seven weeks ago,’ Brother Philip said.
    Brother Stephen frowned. ‘It’s closer to eight,’ he said.
    â€˜You give me those assurances in truth, before God?’
    â€˜Our rites have not been practiced since the day we received the Cardinal’s letter forbidding them,’ Brother Philip said.
    It was precisely the assurance he had travelled there to hear. Cantrell spread his arms wide. ‘And yet the world has not come crashing around your ears since then, gentlemen. Everything remains the same, does it not?’
    They looked at him dubiously. None of them commented on this rather stark observation. It was a little like dealing with recalcitrant children. The Cardinal had hinted at excommunication should they defy his instruction. It was the harshest possible punishment the Church could inflict. But Cantrell thought it the only one that would have stopped them. They were steeped in their traditions and motivated, he supposed, by a childish sort of terror.
    He broke bread with them before he left the priory. The custom only delayed his departure by 20 minutes or so.