As the monks crowd around the dead Malachia, William questions who killed this man since Bernardo had cleverly found and confined the murderer of the other monks. Bernardo retorts that he had not claimed to have confined the law or the criminals at large in the abbey. All that remains for him to do is to burn the witch and warns that only the pope will decide the fate of the Franciscans.

William tells Adso that Bernardo will burn Remigio and his pyre will illuminate the encounter between Michele of Cesena - minister general of the Franciscans - and the pope. The abbot gives Benno the key to the library having named him as Malachia’s new assistant the evening before.

Bernardo visits the Occitan girl, who is surprised that he speaks her language, and he promises that tonight she will be free. William confronts the abbot, but the abbot tells William that since his arrival five monks have died, two have been arrested by the inquisition and the great meeting over which he presided has had a pitiful outcome. William tells him that the crimes have stemmed from the theft and possession of a book concealed in the Finis Africae. William is told he is to leave the abbey at the same time as the papal delegation tomorrow morning. William tells Adso they must use this time to discover who is behind all the events. Show less