Part 39 (2/2)
”So sure as I am Sir Richard of the Lee, the money shall be returned, with interest beside Look for me in the early days of March, friends, for then I expect to have good news of ht, as you will,” said Robin
CHAPTER XXVI
The Sheriff having failed to ensnare Robin Hood, and Master Si done so little better, it became clear that a more wise person than either must attempt the business The deer, and announced her intention of showing them both how such an affair should be approached To this end she employed herself in archery and won some accomplishment in the sport; then she caused Master Fitzwalter's house to be searched thoroughly and any writings of his to be brought to her
Mistress Monceux engaged her fingers next in a pretty schooling, teaching theht Master Fitzwalter hi to cohter She wrote it simply and in feords:--
”This to my dear child Marian, from her affectionate father, Henry Fitzwalter, now in the Court of St Jas, and am well both in mind and spirit I pray God that He has kept you as jealously inabsence from home
This is to tell you, dear heart, that, after all, I shall return to Nottinghaly I have had tidings of you given to me by my lord Bishop of Hereford, and now send you this by the hand of his ham on other business ofned) FITZWALTER, Warden of the City Gates
”The twenty-fifth day of August, 1188”
The demoiselle Marie hada letter so entirely to her satisfaction; and when she had sealed the above with the Fitzwalter arlow of pride in it that she could scarce bring herself to part with the th she bade one of her hted, he stood before her, his love handed him the note
”Take this, dear fool,” said she, kindly, ”and bring it to the hand of the maid Fitzwalter She is with the outlaws in Barnesdale, hidden in one of their deeps, no doubt I care not how you give it to her so long as you are speedy”
”I will send it by the hand of Roger, your father's cook He is well acquainted with their hiding-places”
”That would be to spoil ly ”Gather your wandering wits, and bethink you of soer Have you not someone in this toho can be trusted?”
”I have the very ht, one who hath been exiled by the King for plotting with Prince John He is the only son of our fiery neighbor Montfichet He hath done secret work for the Prince, and will do it again if he believes that he hath need for it”
”You are for ever employed in doubtful business,” said Marie, crossly
”I do not like your fiddling with Prince John You may be sure that Richard will succeed to the throne; and then we shall see where your plottings have brought you”
”Richard hath already succeeded,” said Carfax, whisperingly ”I had the news but an hour since Old Henry of Angevin is King no more--he is dead And Richard, _Coeur de Lion_, as the co that he is King!”
”So you think that John may seize the throne?” sneered Marie Monceux, unconvinced ”Let it be, I tell you, Simeon In any case we must destroy these outlaws of Sherwood or they will destroy us If they be not exterminated by the end of this year my father will cease to be Sheriff”
”May the Lord forbid!” cried Carfax, startled
”Ay, and we shall be poor folk, Simeon, unworthy of you, no doubt But that is not yet Take this note, and send it how you will so long as it coirl's hands within two days”
Carfax accepted the charge; and went into the lodgings of one who had entered the toithin the last few hours--none other, indeed, than Geoffrey de Montfichet, who had brought Master Si's sudden death
Geoffrey perceived that he nore the dead King's decree of exile passed upon hio-betas teain to himself out of one or the other of them