even were his sight as foggy as that of Peter Patter, who never
could see when it was time to go to work."

"Peace, friend," said the Corn Engrosser, "for this is no matter for
jesting. The soles of these clogs are not what they seem to be, for each
one is a sweet little box; and by twisting the second nail from the toe,
the upper of the shoe and part of the sole lifts up like a lid, and in
the spaces within are fourscore and ten bright golden pounds in each
shoe, all wrapped in hair, to keep them from clinking and so telling
tales of themselves."

When the Corn Engrosser had told this, Robin broke into a roar of
laughter and, laying his hands upon the bridle rein, stopped the
sad-looking nag. "Stay, good friend," quoth he, between bursts of
merriment, "thou art the slyest old fox that e'er I saw in all
my life!--In the soles of his shoon, quotha!--If ever I trust a
poor-seeming man again, shave my head and paint it blue! A corn factor,
a horse jockey, an estate agent, and a jackdaw for cunningness, say I!"
And he laughed again till he shook in his shoes with mirth.

All this time the Corn Engrosser had been staring at Robin, his mouth
agape with wonder. "Art thou mad," quoth he, "to talk in this way, so
loud and in such a place? Let us forward, and save thy mirth till we are
safe and sound at Newark."

"Nay," quoth Robin, the tears of merriment wet on his cheeks, "on second
thoughts I go no farther than here, for I have good friends hereabouts.
Thou mayst go forward if thou dost list, thou sweet pretty fellow, but
thou must go forward barefoot, for I am afraid that thy shoon must be
left behind. Off with them, friend, for I tell thee I have taken a great
fancy to them."

At these words the corn factor grew pale as a linen napkin. "Who art
thou that talkest so?" said he.

Then merry Robin laughed again, and quoth he, "Men hereabouts call me
Robin Hood; so, sweet friend, thou hadst best do my bidding and give
me thy shoes, wherefore hasten, I prythee, or else thou wilt not get to
fair Newark Town till after dark."

At the sound of the name of Robin Hood, the corn factor quaked with
fear, so that he had to seize his horse by the mane to save himself
from falling off its back. Then straightway, and without more words,
he stripped off his clogs and let them fall upon the road. Robin, still
holding the bridle rein, stooped and picked them up. Then he said,
"Sweet friend, I am used to ask those that I have dealings w