Part 18 (1/2)
”Has he been searched closely?” enquired Will Without waiting a reply, he roughly ran his fingers through Master Carfax's pockets, and unfastened his tunic at the bosom A parchment dropped out and Will snapped it up
”I co at last; ”and if so be you are Master Will Cloudesley, or Will o' th' Green--as these folks do call you--why, I have a very gracious nal to his men ”Set him upon his feet,” he ordered, ”and loosen these cords Now, excellence, speak at your ease”
”Believe him not, Master Will,” interposed Stuteley, afraid that Carfax was going to turn the tables on theue”
”Be easy, friend,” said Will o' th' Green ”Every one is judged here in fairness Theseto the sha of an evil deed, and so were dealt with summarily But this one did not seem to have a hand in it”
”It was he who commanded thee ”He is, in sooth, a diabolical villain, and did very foully strike our co hiainst you, excellence,” said the outlaw, speaking again to Carfax ”What is your story of it? Speak without fear”
”This rascal did ian Carfax, ”and I, riding back at his noise, did recognize him for one Robin Locksley, a notorious felloho has defied my lord the Sheriff's authority; and has also been suspect of being of your co your presence, Master Cloudesley, that has been poor recommendation in the past Further, with our own eyes have we seen his, a most valued beast with sixteen pointed antlers, as you can see We were but exercising the law upon him, as is appointed That is to say, _Master Ford_ was directing his men to carry out the law,” said Carfax, with his thin cheeks pale with fear ”I did but counsel prudence, and plead for the youth”
”Enough,” cried Will, with contee which the Prince has sent by so worthy a er”
”That is for your private ear,” said Sily
”You may speak plainly before my comrades,” said Will ”Doubtless they are as interested in the Royal words as I ate, so 's pardon frohness did well expect to see you before hione, at the tourney”
”Dressed about with red ribbons, I trow?” enquired the outlaw, as if helping him
”Indeed yes, Master Cloudesley You have said it, indeed Knowledge of your loyalty to us was brought to the Prince by ly ”And now give back to ue, is truly no more than a cartel to my lord the Abbot of York--and let us set forth joyfully For henceforth ye will be as free otten”
”I can read you the scroll, Will,” said Robin, quietly ”I have soue”
The outlaw handed him the scroll, and all waited in silence whilst Robin deciphered it Carfax snapped his teeth together in vexation at this unexpected turn ”_He_ cannot read the parchment Is it likely?” he cried ”He will but pretend to read it, and make lies hich to confound me 'Tis writ in most scholarly Latin, that only few may learn”
”There is treachery here for you, Will,” spoke Robin, without heeding these outcries ”This is a notification fro that his emissaries have sounded you and that you are ready with your men to strike for hi three conditions”
”They are written herein: first, that a general aranted; second, that the ban of excommunication is to be removed from off you by the Holy Church; and third, that the Prince shall find your men, afterward, honorable employment”
”That is so, Locksley The letter is exact”
”So the Prince writes to the Abbot, asking hi that it need be only a proain with one so evil as yourself, and that after he has won the throne from Henry his father, matters such as these will be disposed of by his soldiery, if need be”
”It is not true,” screa to be revenged on me”
”Any clerk can read these lines to you, Will,” answered Robin ”The Prince continues praying for the welfare of the that he has already promised in the Abbot's name that the loan shall be taken off; that the Abbot is to receive and watch narrowly one Geoffrey of Montfichet, who has been exiled for treason, but who now iland”
”Now do I know that you are reading truly,” cried Will, and his bro black ”For how could you know that your cousin was concerned in this? You false-hearted knave,” he added, turning to Carfax, ”false as your false master--your doo head doard froallant Locksley Be speedy, men”
At this Simeon Carfax became as one quite demented, and Robin interposed