Part 43 (2/2)
”Take my steed and ride with us to Gamewell There, at least, I iven his sanction to this e _You_ to rule over Gamewell? In sooth I will be a joyful man upon that day”
”And I,” murmured Master Scarlett
So they turned back towards Gaht of it did Scarlett re in the horse which one of the knights had lent to him The Princess had accepted loan of the esquire Jacquelaine's palfrey
Will soon had told theether ”If this be the man they call John Little Nailor,” said the Princess, sorrowfully, ”why, he is in perilous plight
You have but just ridden through Nottingham, I take it, Master Montfichet, and have some of its news?”
”They do not sees, Princess”
”No, surely; for what is a wo or to hand, when there is red murder abroad? This poor fellohom I do believe to be innocent, was accused of theft by a rascally cook, and was pursued 'Twas the night of our return They chased hiht his with him”
”'Tis Little John, then,” cried Scarlett; ”I saw hio out with the sacks across his back”
”In one of theely lost,” said the Princess, with a little griood citizen foully done to death”
Her listeners stared in their amazement ”It is a Master Fitzwalter who hath been so cruelly”This Little John swears that the cook did kill hisin Fitzwalter's house this rascal fellow ed the sacks”
”Fitzwalter, the warden of the gates? I knew him well Why, he left us but three weeks since to travel to Nottinghairl there that she was to follow him, but either his letter miscarried or the maid would not So poor Fitzwalter, busy as he was, must needs return to meet his death”
”Who is this cook?” asked Scarlett
”An evil character, he hath altogether Once he was of an outlaw robber band, headed here in these very woods under one Will of Cloudesley”
”Tell h?” asked Will
”That is his naht of him?”
”I know much evil of hier had planned to take his (Will's) life, and how Robin had saved him
The Squire nodded ”I reood lad This news of yours will stagger hihter of him who hath so dreadfully ned, I must tell you,” went on the Princess, ”and both were to be racked But they did not put it too hardly upon Master Roger, as I have reason to knoherefore he was able to uish, made confession of a cri hi to horse ”I ive me Here is a man's life in the balance”
”What would you, Will?” she asked, fearfully ”The hanging is fixed for the Thursday in next week”
”Before then he shall be free,” said Will Scarlett, firmly ”Farewell, dear heart Wait for ood host to you, I know”
”Thewith us when I was called to London,”
the Squire began