Part 51 (1/2)
”As I thought,” ham, under his breath
”Therefore,” said Richard, slowly, ”you, Monceux, knew all along that Little John was not guilty, and yet did seek to hang him”
”Sire, he stole my plate also, and had been exco hiSheriff; ”ere you go, Monceux, learn that froe froesture ”He will be your ham Castle at his hands”
”Will Scarlett--Master Geoffrey of Montfichet--you?” gasped Monceux
”Even I, Master Sheriff,” replied the man of many na Robin and his uards From now the ban of excommunication must be removed”
The Bishop had coh ”Fetch me book and candle, Carfax,” said he, ”and I will remove the ban”
”You will be wise to do so, nificantly The Bishop deeive no particular heed to his sire's tone
At once he proceeded to take off the ban of excommunication he had so hastily pronounced upon Robin Hood and the rest of his merry men
”Now, Robin, take payment for your entertain said, in a voice that would brook no denial Robin drew near and kneeled before hidon, first Earl of the shi+re!” cried Richard, tapping hihts, and learn that thy King recognizeth above the other neither Saxon nor Norlish; and I love the man who is brave and who dealeth fairly as he may with his fellow men You have kept the spirit of liberty alive in this ainst you because you have been i”
His proud voice was silent; while Robin Earl of Huntingdon seized his King's hand to his lips and kissed it in a wonderratitude
CHAPTER xxxIV
It was the wedding-day of four happy people The day was bright, the sky blue, and Sherwood had taken upon itself early suhauard of Royal boway in their scarlet and white livery, were forht lines froate
So soon as the weddings were over all would go back to a great feast, given at Gamewell Hall, in honor of the day Then afterward the two couples would go with the king into London, to be folloithin seven days by the rest of the Royal guard Richard meant to employ these fellows shrewdly and test their loyalty Not for reasons of sentiiven Robin and his men
The hour was reached, and at once a sainst his will Master Monceux had given use of the castle to the two bridegroodon
With Robin and Geoffrey were, firstly, old George of Ga that he had now a son ould ensure honor to the race of Montfichet all their days The Squire was happy and radiant He walked between the speech with Sir Richard of the Lee and his heir Stuteley and Little John were next, the long and short of it; and after theold chain about his neck, given hiht Sir Richard, walked with Middle the Tinker on his left and Much the Miller on his right Close behind trotted the se, dressed up very fine in a livery of purple doublet and green hose
They caate, and the crowd jostled itself in its admiration As they walked, rather consciously, up the narrow path between the s ranks of their fellows the crowd cheered them radiantly
”A Hood! A Montfichet!” was called and called again Some maids from the opposite s threw them kisses and waved pretty kerchiefs in their honor