told him. "Nay, no thanks; you are but exchanging creditors.
Mayhap we shall not be so hard on you as was the Christian Bishop; yet
again, we may be harder. Who can say, where human nature is concerned?"

Much now appeared, dragging a bale of cloth. "The knight should have a
suit worthy of his rank, master, do you not think?"

"Measure him twenty ells of it," Robin ordered.

"Give him your Arab horse also," whispered Marian; "it is a gift which
will come back to you fourfold, for this is a worthy man. My father doth
know him well."

So the horse was given also, and Robin bade Arthur-a-Bland ride as
esquire to the knight; to be good use and to fulfil his first duty as
one of the band.

The knight was sorrowful no longer. He could scarcely voice his thanks
to them; and was nigh overcome when time for his departure came round on
the following morning.

"God save you, comrades," said he, with deep feeling in his tones, "and
give me a grateful heart."

"We shall wait for you twelve months from to-day, here in this place,"
said Robin, smiling cheerfully. "And then you will repay us for the loan
of the gold."

"I shall return it to you within a year," replied the knight, firmly.
"So sure as I am Sir Richard of the Lee, the money shall be returned,
with interest beside. Look for me in the early days of March, friends,
for then I expect to have good news of my son."

"Then, or later, Sir Knight, as you will," said Robin.

CHAPTER XXVI

The Sheriff having failed to ensnare Robin Hood, and Master Simeon
having done so little better, it became clear that a more wise person
than either must attempt the business. The demoiselle Marie had
recovered from her fit of anger, and announced her intention of showing
them both how such an affair should be approached. To this end she
employed herself in archery and won some accomplishment in the sport;
then she caused Master Fitzwalter's house to be searched thoroughly and
any writings of his to be brought to her.

Mistress Monceux engaged her fingers next in a pretty schooling,
teaching them to hold a pen as awkwardly as might Master Fitzwalter
himself. So she produced at last a writing purporting to come from him
to Maid Marian, his daughter. She wrote it simply and in few words:--

* * * * *

"This to my dear child Marian, from her affectionate father, Henry
Fitzwalter, now in the Court of St. James, in London town. I send