othing was of the most remarkable description. He
wore a cloak which was so clouted and patched that the first part of it
hung about him in a dozen folds. He had on his head three hats, one
rammed tightly over the other, so that he cared neither for wind nor
rain. On his back was a bag held by a thong of strong leather about his
neck. In his right hand was a long crooked stick.

The outlaws had naturally hidden themselves at first sound of his
footsteps. They watched him go by, and passed jests between themselves
concerning him. Stuteley begged that he might be allowed to play a joke
upon the fellow.

"Go after him by all means, if you will," said Robin; "but be polite,
for I have it in my mind that this is a man known to me. I would that I
could hear him speak."

"Follow me, master, warily, and you shall hear him speak to a purpose!"
cried little Stuteley.

When the stranger found that someone walked behind him, he quickened his
pace. Stuteley called out to him, but he made no reply.

"Stand, as I bid you, fellow," cried little Stuteley again, "for you
shall tarry and speak to me."

"By my troth," said the other, answering him at last, "I have no leisure
for talk with you, friend. 'Tis very far to my lodging and the morning
grows. Therefore, I will lose my dinner if I do not hasten."

"I have had no meat nor bread betwixt my lips this day," retorted Will
Stuteley, coming up with him. "And I do not know where I may get any,
for if I go to a tavern they will ask me for money, of which I have not
one groat, unless you will lend me some until we do meet again?"

The clouted man replied very peevishly: "I have no money to lend you,
friend; for I have lost the little I had in a foolish wager made at
Nottingham. But you are a younger man than I, though you seem to be more
lazy; so I can promise you a long fast if you wait until you have money
from me."

Now, something in the man's tones roused memories in little Stuteley,
yet he could not resolve them into shape. The fellow's face was so
obscured by the three hats that one could scarcely get a peep at it.

"Since we have met this day," said Stuteley, wrathfully, "I will have
money of you, even though it be but one penny. Therefore, lay aside your
cloak and the bag about your neck; or I will tear it open. And should
you offer to make any noise my arrows shall pierce your fat body like
unto a cullender."

The man laughed discordantly; and again Stuteley thought he