imself. "A good
day's work; and Monceux will have cause to regret his share in it. Yet
am I no nearer Nottingham after all, tho' I have twice sworn that naught
should stay me. Stuteley," added he, aloud, calling his squire to his
side, "see you that this dead knight be buried with all respect; he
fought me well and fairly."

"It shall be done, master," answered Will Stuteley; "you may be easy
about it. But I would have you listen to the talk of these archers--they
have grave news of our comrade Little John. It seems that the Sheriff
hath seized him for the killing of thy maid's father, and will
presently have him dreadfully hanged and burned."

Robin uttered an exclamation of horror. Soon the terrible story was told
him, and his brain reeled under the shock of it. All that night he paced
the woods until the dawn, then fell incontinently into a deep and heavy
slumber.

"Disturb him not nor let him take action until I do return," said the
comfortable Friar Tuck, in business-like manner. "I know how his
distemper will play upon him, and how he will bring us all to grief if
he attempts the city again. Now I may go in and out as I will, being a
curtal friar and not now remembered in these parts. I will visit the
Sheriff and ask for leave to confess Master Little John. Then I will
come back to you with the best news I may."

* * * * *

Geoffrey of Montfichet had ridden into Nottingham on the day before Sir
Guy had left it. Carfax had known where the Princess might be found all
the while his master, with the Bishop, was busy persuading the Knight of
Gisborne that the maid was with Robin. One might be sure, however, that
neither Monceux nor Carfax gave out any hint of this knowledge, for to
do that would have stayed Sir Guy in his praiseworthy attempt upon the
bold outlaw.

Geoffrey--Master Scarlett--had found difficult work before him, but he
intended to save Little John. He was convinced that the cook had slain
Fitzwalter, most likely at the command of some other person interested
in the death.

Who might this be? Who had profited by the death of so unassuming a man
as the late city warden?

Carfax treated Scarlett with scant ceremony. The lean-faced fellow
devoured the item that the Princess of Aragon was safe at Gamewell, but
gave nothing in return. Scarlett had been left to cool his heels in the
great hall of Nottingham Castle for near an hour afterward, whilst
Simeon Carfax was cl