Part 40 (1/2)
”If you will but carry this letter to Mistress Fitzwalter, who is with thy cousin Robin Fitzooth in Barnesdale, Sir Knight,” said Siratitude of the Sheriff's daughter, at the least; and she doth rule the roost here, as I can tell you 'Tis but a letter from Master Fitzwalter to his child”
”I know the woods and will take the note,” Geoffrey said ”See to it that Monceux does not irl will tie his hands, if need be,” grinned Carfax ”Ay, she can drive us all God speed you, Sir Knight”
It fell out that whilst Robin alking alone near the highroad to York, close to that very bridge whereon he had fought with Little John, he perceived a ser dressed in scarlet and silk Just as Robin espied this gay gentle these woods so coolly, unattended by squire or guard, the knight deftly fitted an arrow to his bow, and with a clever shot brought down a fine stag
”Well hit,” cried Robin, who could never abstain froood bowht”
The scarlet knight turned towards Robin, and, taking hih tones, asking how he dared to speak to his betters in that insolent way
”How is one to know one's betters, Sir Knight?” queried Robin, cheerfully ”A noble is not always known by his dress, but rather by his manners and his deeds”
”Your insolence shall be well paid for,” returned the other, putting by his bow and drawing his sword Without further argurily, and struck at hi
Robin was too quick for hie of his own trusty blade After a few passes Robin feinted, and, catching the other unawares, dealt hier reeled under the blow
”I find you are not so asps ”Yet, even now, 'tis not amiss that you should have a lesson”
With that the two engaged heartily, and fought for nigh an hour, without either side gaining an advantage
At length he succeeded in pricking Robin on the cheek
”Hast enough, fellow?”
”A rest would be welcoh
They called a truce and sat down side by side beneath a tree The stranger eyed Robin thoughtfully; and Robin glanced back at hi to certainty Presently:
”You are he whoer, ”although I do not know you by such a strange name”
”It is my own name,” replied the outlaw, ”and I am proud of it Are you not Geoffrey of Gamewell?”
”That _was_ my name, cousin, even as yours was once Robin Fitzooth, but now I call myself Will Scarlett 'Tis a whier price on his head than I can afford to pay, why, I have buried him under a prettier name! But tell me why you are dressed so plainly On my life, I did not know you when first we met”
”A ued Robin ”And 'tis a wonder towith such a wild color upon you Howbeit, thy arroas shrewd enough, and I'll say no more than to tell hoell pleased I aain Here's my hand in all true affection, cousin Scarlett”
”Andbetween them to Barnesdale; and Robin learned that his cousin had a letter with hiiven it to Will Scarlett his suspicions were iive Marian the letter, and see what she may think upon it,” he observed ”There cannot be much harm in that”
Thus did Mistress Monceux succeed admirably in the first part of her sche to go back into Nottinghaave hienuineness of the letter occurred to Marian: she knew her father's peculiarly aard handwriting too well Certainly the phrasing of it seemed a little too easy for so plain ain London he had, of course, acquired Court ways