V WITNESS TO THE MIRACULOUS 163 



martyrs, of which there is such a prodigious number at Rome ; 

 and the conversation having turned towards the dedication of 

 our new basilica, I began to inquire how it might be possible for 

 me to obtain some of the true relics of the saints which rest at 

 Rome. He at first hesitated, and declared that he did not know 

 how that could be done. Hut observing that I was both anxious 

 and curious about the subject, he promised to give me an answer 

 some other day. 



When I returned to the question some time afterwards, he im- 

 mediately 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, 1 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 Maestri cht 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, 



1 Now included in Western Switzerland. 



