"Doth he sigh o'er much?" she
questioned.
"Consumedly! By the minute!"
"Poor soldier!" she murmured.
"Aye, poor rogue!" said Jocelyn; whereupon she frowned again, and turned
her back upon him.
"And he is thy comrade."
"Even so--poor knave!"
"And destitute--even as thou?"
"Aye, a sorry clapper-claw--even as I, lady."
"Then, pray thee, why doth he wear gold chain about his neck?"
"Chain, lady--?"
"Such as only knights do wear!"
"Belike he stole it, lady--"
"Aye--belike he did!" said she, rising; then she sighed and laughed, and so
turned and left him.
And in a while Jocelyn rose also, and went on beside the brook; but as he
walked deep in thought, there met him Robin, he full of mirth and laughter.
"Oho, brother, good brother!" cried he joyfully, clapping hand on Jocelyn's
broad shoulder, "come away, now, and see what the good wind hath blown
hither--come thy ways and see!"
So came they where rose a great tree of huge girth, whose gnarled branches
spread far and wide, a veryforest of leaves, beneath whose shade were many
of the outlaws grouped about one who crouched miserably on his knees, his
arms fast bound and a halter about his neck; and, as obedient to Robin's
words the fierce company fell back, Jocelyn saw this torn and pallid
captive was none other than Ranulph the Hangman.
Pages:
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184