ows, or we will break all your bones."

So were they all bustled out into the cold streets, and Robin, in his
butcher's smock, went back, as if very crest-fallen, to his empty cart
and lean horse.

In due season the servants found that the Sheriff's new kitchen-hand
was gone, and with him the gold plate. Then they remembered how he had
been found with the cook.

Roger was plucked out of his bed, with all his bruises and wounds upon
him, to give evidence before Monceux, who was in a great fume. All that
spite and jealousy might do Roger performed with gusto, and so fixed the
blame upon Little John that no one else was even suspected.

Roger would have now spoken as to Barnesdale, and betrayed the secret
caves to the Sheriff; but he had once before persuaded them to search
the cave near Gamewell, with ill results.

"Enough of these tales," snarled the Sheriff; "keep them for the
Bishop's ears. _I_ am concerned for my plate; and will recover it ere I
put forth on any other enterprise."

He sent out his archers and men-at-arms, with such an incoherent
description of Little John that near all the tall men of Nottingham were
brought under arrest. The gate-keeper who had been so foolish as to open
to Little John became so fearful of the Sheriff's anger that, when they
questioned him, he vowed by all the saints that he had clapped eyes on
no such fellow in his life.

Monceux, getting more and more enraged, chanced at last upon the
butchers. He bade them all to be brought before him.

Small comfort did he gather from any, least of all from Robin, who
behaved in so foolish a manner before the great man that all who had not
believed him crazy before, were now well sure of it.

He would persist in talking to the irate lord of his own affairs: how
he had just inherited a farm with many head of cattle--such beasts! how
he had sold some of them in the market on the previous day for large
moneys; how he intended to always sell at Nottingham, since there the
people were so rich and generous.

"I have full five hundred and ten horned beasts upon my land that I will
sell for a just figure," said Robin. "Ay, to him who will pay me in
right money will I sell them for twenty pieces. Is that too much to ask,
lording?"

Monceux, in the midst of his frenzy, suddenly quieted down. This was the
idiot butcher of whom people had been chattering. No use to bluster and
threaten him.

Five hundred and ten fat beasts for twenty pieces! W