cadfael closely examines the body of prestcote and recovers richly-dyed woollen threads and some gold thread, which came from the cloth used to smother him. no cloth within the abbey matches them. suspicion next falls on anion ap griffri, a lay servant recovering from a broken leg. prestcote had ordered his half-brother to be hanged for his part in a fatal brawl, providing motive. anion flees.