doubtful fate
of the palmer still troubled him sorely. If he had known then that
bitter truth which he was to learn very shortly he would have ridden
back forthwith into Nottingham town, there to end this story at once.
Life had, however, many years and queer twists in it yet for Robin Hood
of Barnesdale.

CHAPTER XXIV

The time of Nottingham Fair had come round once more, and again the
Sheriff would give a prize. Monceux determined to make the prize a good
one, such as might tempt any archer. He hoped thus that Robin might be
lured into Nottingham.

He smiled to himself in grim satisfaction, and rubbed his hands softly
together. To tell truth, he had been expecting Robin any moment during
these last ten days, and had wondered why he had not come. The palmer
should have proved a bait in himself, so the Sheriff imagined.

But Robin only learned on the eve of the Fair the whole truth about that
holy man.

It was in this way. For ten nights had Robin waited at the trysting
place for sight of Marian; and had waited in vain.

At last doubt grew into suspicion, and suspicion into fierce terror. Had
Marian been abducted by Monceux, and did the Squire fear to tell him?

On the night before the Fair he took courage and marched up to the
castle entrance, then wound his horn for the bridge to be lowered. Now,
if Monceux could but have known, Robin would have been easy prey.

He rushed across the bridge soon as it had fallen, clangingly, upon the
buttresses. The same old servant met him at the gates, holding it open
just a little way so that he might peer forth. Robin pulled his cloak
about himself.

"I would see Master Montfichet, and at once," he began.

"My master is in London," replied the man, eyeing him.

"Did he journey alone? Did not Mistress Fitzwalter go with him? When did
they go?"

Robin's questions came all of a rush. "My master hath been gone near two
weeks. He went alone from here. But tell me who you are, clamoring so
noisily with your questioning?"

"I am Robin Hood," said Robin, in desperation, "and now, for the love of
Heaven, give me news of Mistress Fitzwalter."

"She left here on the day after my lord's departure."

"Hath left Gamewell?" Robin gasped. "How? In what way?"

The man sniggered. "To tell truth, excellence, she did leave us in
strange guise. I have pondered more than ever upon the ways of women
since the day. Mistress would have our maids make her a monk's gown, and
I w