will tell you
later. Now give me farewell, and your blessing."

"God's blessing be in you, Geoffrey, my son," said the Squire. It was
the first time for many years that he had called Geoffrey by that name.

"And take all my heart with you, Will." The voice of this little
Princess was husky; and a sob sounded in her throat. "Be cautious, and
return soon to me."

She watched his swift retreating figure as he sped towards Nottingham,
there to argue it with Master Carfax.

CHAPTER XXIX

The day after Scarlett's departure found Robin in frantic mood. Two
emissaries had he sent out to gain news of Marian, and neither had
returned. He had had now no direct tidings of her for nigh on three
months. Little John's silence, too, disturbed him.

Robin determined that he would see Marian, at least, this day, or die in
the attempt. So, notwithstanding all that the rest could urge, their
leader started away on foot towards the city.

He walked quickly, and his mind was so filled with dreadful thoughts
that he exercised little of his usual care. Emerging suddenly upon the
high road, he plunged almost into the arms of his enemy, the Lord Bishop
of Hereford.

It was too late for Robin to retreat, and he was too far away for him to
wind his horn in the hope of rousing his men. The Bishop rode at the
head of a goodly company and had already espied him.

About a mile away, near by the roadside, was a little tumble-down
cottage. Robin remembered it and saw his only chance of safety. At once
he doubled back through the underwood, much to the surprise of the
Bishop, who thought he had truly disappeared by magic. In a few minutes
Robin had come to the little cottage. The owner of the place, a little
crabbed old woman, rose up with a cry of alarm.

"'Tis I, Robin Hood; where are your three sons?"

"They are with you, Robin. Well do you know that. Do they not owe life
to you?"

"Help now repay the debt," said Robin, in a breath. "The Bishop will
soon be without, and he has many men."

"I will save you, Robin," cried the old woman, bustlingly. "We will
change raiment, and you shall go forth as the poor lone woman of this
cot. Go without and strip yourself speedily; and throw me your clothes
through the doorway."

Robin was in the garden and had slipped out of his Lincoln green in a
moment. He clad himself with equal celerity in the old woman's rags, as
she flung them out to him one by one.

The Bishop perceived an old de