secret, and yours--who did think it brave to
deceive and outwit an old man."

"Sir, sir!" began Robin, aghast at this storm.

"Nay, I will hear no more of it. Treachery and deceit--always they hang
about my house. You deceived me, Robin Fitzooth, and cozened my servant
Warrenton. So I cast you out of my heart for ever. For the rest of my
days I will be sufficient unto myself: after I am gone, the dogs may
quarrel above my grave for the bones of Gamewell."

He almost pushed Robin from him, and turned brusquely away. Dazed and
confounded, Robin faltered rather than walked to reach Stuteley, who
stood awaiting him in the courtyard. Without a word, Robin took his
hand. "Come, Will; let us go," he muttered, thickly: and with wrathful
heart Robin Fitzooth shook the dust of Gamewell from off his feet.

Faintly through his mind came memory of the clerk's warning: but it was
all of it so unjust! He had never intended to deceive the Squire: all
that he had done had been done without thought. After all, what fault
had he committed against Montfichet?

"'Fore Heaven," said Robin, furiously, "I never will speak with that man
again--nor cross the threshold of his house!"

So the clouds gathered more and more thickly over the head of Robin
Fitzooth.

CHAPTER XIV

The Demoiselle Marie was behind all this. She had known Geoffrey's plans
from her lover, Master Carfax; for Master Carfax had had interviews with
those two of Will's band, Roger and Micah, the traitors sworn against
Geoffrey.

'Twas all wheel within wheel and plot within plot. Carfax had by nature
a face made to show differently on either side of it. Thus he was in
service with the Prince; and, whilst knowing the younger Montfichet to
be his master's ally, affected outwardly to recognize him as one against
whom the hands of all righteous men should be raised.

Master Simeon had gone forth with the Prince's message to Will o' th'
Green, and with John Ford, in order that he might install that latter
worthy at Locksley. Afterward Simeon was to journey to the Priory of
York, as we know. Marie Monceux, to complete Robin's undoing, bade her
father go to Gamewell and there tell Montfichet how Robin had helped
Geoffrey to his scarlet-ribboned horse, giving the Squire the story as
it had come through the two false outlaws. Certain proof she sent in a
strip of the red cloth which Montfichet well knew to belong only to his
house at Gamewell.

So suddenly Montfiche