at."

Thus did Mistress Monceux succeed admirably in the first part of her
scheme.

* * * * *

Soon as Marian had had her letter she was all agog to go back into
Nottingham. She showed the scroll to Robin, and though his heart misgave
him he could hardly say her nay. No doubt as to the genuineness of the
letter occurred to Marian: she knew her father's peculiarly awkward
handwriting too well. Certainly the phrasing of it seemed a little too
easy for so plain a man, yet since he had been so long in London he had,
of course, acquired Court ways.

On the third week in September Marian determined to return to her old
home, and take the risk of any treachery.

"Allan-a-Dale and Fennel shall go with you, dear heart," said Robin.
"Why not? They can appear as your father's guests, and the two maids
will help you keep house. Also Warrenton shall go as Allan's man. I can
be sure that these faithful ones will guard my pretty love from all
harm."

"Am I indeed your pretty love?" asked Marian, in foolish happiness; "are
you sure that you would not have some other maid--to wit, the demoiselle
Marie? She hath an eye for you, as I know--for all she seemeth so much
our enemy. Trust a woman for finding out another woman's secret!"

Mistress Fennel was not loth to leave the greenwood. In the summer
months the life was none too bad a one, but now that September mists and
rains were upon Barnesdale, the young wife shivered and complained.
"Hereford is the only one we need fear, after all," Allan admitted;
"your old baron would never look for us in Nottingham."

"And the Bishop is in London," said Marian, showing her letter. "See
what my father saith."

Therefore Robin and his men were left to their own devices in the matter
of cooking and kitchen work soon as September's third week had come and
gone. Allan-a-Dale, Warrenton, the two girls and their two maids, all
travelled into Nottingham on the best horses that the outlaws could
provide, under escort so far as Gamewell. They were secretly watched
into the town, that Robin might be sure no one attempted any treachery.

It was arranged that Allan should come himself to Gamewell, and seek the
Squire's friendship on some near occasion. Then he might tell the old
man about Marian and how she had left his roof.

Montfichet would not be vexed with her, Marian felt. If he were, she
would come herself, and coax him. Also either Allan or Warrenton would
f