have made me more
independent of Master Monceux. But it has not fallen to me, and there it
ends."

"Well, 'tis well that you are so easy, lording," said Warrenton,
scratching his head. "Now tell us whom you saw; and how you contrived to
split the Norman's arrow."

He had already heard the story: but was very fain to listen to it again.
"It is a trick that I taught him, dame," he added, off-handedly, to
Mistress Fitzooth. "One that did surprise the Norman too, I'll warrant
me. You see, they are so concerned with their crossbows and other
fal-lals in France that when good English yew----"

"I saw Master Will," said Robin, to check him. Once Warrenton was
started on a dissertation on the virtues of the English longbow there
was usually no staying him. "He told me that the Scarlet Knight had gone
to France."

Warrenton looked wise. "That is not worthy of belief, excellence," said
he, cunningly. "Prince John is near; and one cannot imagine that
Geoffrey of Montfichet----"

"Geoffrey of Montfichet?" asked the dame, wonderingly: and then
Warrenton saw how he had blundered. "Why, I did not know that you had
met your cousin, Robin. When was it, and why do you call him the Scarlet
Knight?"

"Geoffrey is outlawed, mother mine, and may not appear in Sherwood,"
answered Robin, temporizing with her. "And the story of our meeting is
too long a one for the moment. We are rarely fatigued, and I would
gladly get me to bed. Come, Will, rouse yourself. Mother, see that we do
not sleep too long. I must go to Gamewell by the day after to-morrow at
least; and there is much work between my going and now."

He had determined to ask the Squire to move again in the matter of the
Rangership for him whilst John was here. Even if the Prince had unduly
favored Hubert in the archery contest, it did not necessarily follow
that he would be unjust in such a plain business as this. Robin kissed
the dame, struggled with a yawn, and got him to rest. He slept uneasily,
his dreams being strangely compounded of happiness and grief.

* * * * *

Within three days Robin started away for Gamewell, taking only Stuteley,
as before. He intended to make his return to Locksley ere dusk of the
next night.

When they were far advanced on their journey they heard sounds of a
large company upon the road; and prudently Robin bade Stuteley hide with
him in the undergrowth until they should see who these might be.

"Maybe 'tis th