the outlaw's fighting
men; and never again after his meeting with the daughter of the chief of
the barons did Norman of Torn raise a hand against the rebels or their
friends.

Shortly after his return to Torn, following the successful outcome of
his expedition, the watch upon the tower reported the approach of a
dozen armed knights. Norman sent Red Shandy to the outer walls to learn
the mission of the party, for visitors seldom came to this inaccessible
and unhospitable fortress; and he well knew that no party of a dozen
knights would venture with hostile intent within the clutches of his
great band of villains.

The great red giant soon returned to say that it was Henry de Montfort,
oldest son of the Earl of Leicester, who had come under a flag of truce
and would have speech with the master of Torn.

"Admit them, Shandy," commanded Norman of Torn, "I will speak with them
here."

When the party, a few moments later, was ushered into his presence it
found itself facing a mailed knight with drawn visor.

Henry de Montfort advanced with haughty dignity until he faced the
outlaw.

"Be ye Norman of Torn?" he asked. And, did he try to conceal the hatred
and loathing which he felt, he was poorly successful.

"They call me so," replied the visored knight. "And what may bring a De
Montfort after so many years to visit his old neighbor?"

"Well ye know what brings me, Norman of Torn," replied the young man.
"It is useless to waste words, and we cannot resort to arms, for you
have us entirely in your power. Name your price and it shall be paid,
only be quick and let me hence with my sister."

"What wild words be these, Henry de Montfort? Your sister! What mean
you?"

"Yes, my sister Bertrade, whom you stole upon the highroad two days
since, after murdering the knights of John de Stutevill who were
fetching her home from a visit upon the Baron's daughter. We know that
it was you for the foreheads of the dead men bore your devil's mark."

"Shandy!" roared Norman of Torn. "WHAT MEANS THIS? Who has been upon the
road, attacking women, in my absence? You were here and in charge during
my visit to my Lord de Grey. As you value your hide, Shandy, the truth!"

"Since you laid me low in the hut of the good priest, I have served you
well, Norman of Torn. You should know my loyalty by this time and that
never have I lied to you. No man of yours has done this thing, nor is
it the first time that vile scoundrels have placed your