When I returned to the question some time afterwards, he
immediately drew from his bosom a paper, which he begged me
to read when I was alone, and to tell him what I was
disposed to think of that which was therein stated. I took
the paper and, as he desired, read it alone and in secret.
(Cap. i. 2, 3.)
I shall have occasion to return to Deacon Deusdona's conditions, and
to what happened after Eginhard's acceptance of them. Suffice it, for
the present, to say that Eginhard's notary, Ratleicus (Ratleig), was
despatched to Rome and succeeded in securing two bodies, supposed to
be those of the holy martyrs Marcellinus and Petrus; and when he had
got as far on his homeward journey as the Burgundian town of
Solothurn, or Soleure,[36] notary Ratleig despatched to his master, at
St. Bavon, a letter announcing the success of his mission.
As soon as by reading it I was assured of the arrival of the
saints, I despatched a confidential messenger to Maestricht
to gather together priests, other clerics, and also laymen,
to go out to meet the coming saints as speedily as possible.
And he and his companions, having lost no time, after a few
days met those who had charge of the saints at Solothurn.
Joined with them, and with a vast crowd of people who
gathered from all parts, singing hymns, and amidst great and
universal rejoicings, they travelled quickly to the city of
Argentoratum, which is now called Strasburg.
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