Part 44 (1/2)

”She is now in Nottinghaivebe in you, Geoffrey, my son,” said the Squire It was the first time for many years that he had called Geoffrey by that name

”And take all my heart with you, Will” The voice of this little Princess was husky; and a sob sounded in her throat ”Be cautious, and return soon to ure as he sped towards Nottinghaue it with Master Carfax

CHAPTER XXIX

The day after Scarlett's departure found Robin in frantic ain news of Marian, and neither had returned He had had now no direct tidings of her for nigh on three months Little John's silence, too, disturbed him

Robin determined that he would see Marian, at least, this day, or die in the attee, their leader started away on foot towards the city

He walked quickly, and his hts that he exercised little of his usual care Eed almost into the arms of his enemy, the Lord Bishop of Hereford

It was too late for Robin to retreat, and he was too far away for hi his oodly company and had already espied him

About a mile away, near by the roadside, was a little tue Robin remembered it and saw his only chance of safety At once he doubled back through the underwood, ht he had truly disappeared by e The owner of the place, a little crabbed old woman, rose up with a cry of alarm

”'Tis I, Robin Hood; where are your three sons?”

”They are with you, Robin Well do you know that Do they not owe life to you?”

”Help now repay the debt,” said Robin, in a breath ”The Bishop will soon be without, and he has many men”

”I will save you, Robin,” cried the old woo forth as the poor lone woman of this cot Go without and strip yourself speedily; and throw arden and had slipped out of his Lincoln green in a moment He clad his, as she flung them out to him one by one

The Bishop perceived an old decrepit wo across the road, as he with his co down it He bade one of his fellows to stay her, and ask if she had seen such and such a ave her a full and vivid description of Robin Hood The old wo her sticks--already she had a little handful of thee; and that she would be right glad if my lord Bishop would cause hientleabond Robin Hood,” piped she

”Enough!” cried the Bishop, triue, old pieces is already offered for the capture of Robin Hood, and I will give a hundred beside!”

The old wos for her fire

Little by little she edged towards the forest, and while the Bishop's e door she vanished between the trees

Then she began to run, with surprising quickness, towards Barnesdale

Stuteley encountered her presently, and was at first prepared to treat her in rough fashi+on ”Hold your hand, sweet Will,” cried Robin, ”it is I, your master Summon our fellows, and return with ain to Sherwood”

When Will had done laughing he blew his horn ”Why,face to Robin as though seized with a notion, ”is not this the day when the knight Sir Richard of the Lee--he to whoave Arthur-a-Bland--swore he would return to pay us our moneys?”