pened the snoring
man's pouch, took out the warrant, read it, and put it in his own
wallet. Calling mine host to him, he winked at him with a half smile and
told him that the tinker would pay the whole score when he awoke. Thus
was Master Middle left in the lurch "for the great shot to pay."

Nathless, the stranger seemed in no great hurry. He had the whim to stay
awhile and see what the droll tinker might do when he awoke. So he hid
behind a window shutter, on the outside, and awaited events.

Presently the tinker came to himself with a prodigious yawn, and reached
at once for another drink.

"What were you saying, friend, about the best plan (ya-a-a-ah!) for
catching this fellow?--Hello!--where's the man gone?"

He had looked around and saw no one with him at the table.

"Host! host!" he shouted, "where is that fellow who was to pay my
reckoning?"

"I know not," answered the landlord sharply. "Mayhap he left the money
in your purse."

"No he didn't!" roared Middle, looking therein. "Help! Help! I've been
robbed! Look you, host, you are liable to arrest for high treason! I am
here upon the King's business, as I told you earlier in the day. And yet
while I did rest under your roof, thinking you were an honest man (hic!)
and one loving of the King, my pouch has been opened and many matters of
state taken from it."

"Cease your bellowing!" said the landlord. "What did you lose?"

"Oh, many weighty matters, I do assure you. I had with me, item, a
warrant, granted under the hand of my lord High Sheriff of Nottingham,
and sealed with the Kings's own seal, for the capture (hic!)--and
arrest--and overcoming of a notorious rascal, one Robin Hood of
Barnesdale. Item, one crust of bread. Item, one lump (hic!) of solder.
Item, three pieces of twine. Item, six single keys (hic!), useful
withal. Item, twelve silver pennies, the which I earned this week (hic!)
in fair labor. Item--"

"Have done with your items!" said the host. "And I marvel greatly to
hear you speak in such fashion of your friend, Robin Hood of Barnesdale.
For was he not with you in all good-fellowship?"

"Wh-a-at? _That_ Robin Hood?" gasped Middle with staring eyes. "Why did
you not tell me?"

"Faith, _I_ saw no need o' telling you! Did you not tell me the first
time you were here to-day, that I need not be surprised if you came back
with no less person than Robin Hood himself?"

"Jesu give me pardon!" moaned the tinker. "I see it all now. He got me