r Monceux looked furiously at this archer who had taken the prize
with only the briefest word of thanks to him: and would have spoken, had
not his daughter, with chilling gesture, forbidden it. She gave no
outward symptom of the anger stirring within her: she wore her
worthless but royal crown of bay, whilst the other toyed thoughtfully
with the golden arrow, and wondered who the gallant giver of it might
be.

Robin, Warrenton, Stuteley, and Roughbeard rode towards the gate of
Nottingham on the horses of the defeated knights. They had decided to
stay no longer at the Fair: the noisy play and mock-joustings that were
to follow the archery had no attraction for them.

CHAPTER IX

This escort saved Geoffrey from the attack planned upon him by the two
treacherous robbers. They spied him out, and followed the small
cavalcade throughout the journey, but at a respectful distance, uttering
deep threats against the lad who had warned the knight of their evil
intent. So, whilst making friends, Robin also made enemies: but none so
bad as that cold-faced woman of Nottingham Castle. She had recognized in
Robin of Locksley the youth who had come with old Montfichet on the
first day of the Fair.

Near by Gamewell, Roughbeard called a halt. He had been strangely
silent, being over doubtful.

"Farewell, friends," said he, doffing his cap to them. "Here our roads
do part, for I must go further through the forest."

"I, too, have that direction before me, if so be that you are travelling
westward," said Geoffrey to him, with well-assumed diffidence, and
speaking through his casque. He had known the outlaw at once; but had
forborne to show it, scarce dreaming that Robin also had pierced Will's
disguise.

Robin became busy in his thoughts when he saw his cousin and Roughbeard
riding off together like this. That secret way from the hut which led
into Sherwood; the two villains who had plotted against Geoffrey--why,
all was clear! Geoffrey now was with them of the forest; had been
seeking to influence Master Will; no doubt the red trappings upon which
he had laid such stress were as a signal to someone. To whom? And to
what end?

Geoffrey had been cool towards Robin when warned of those scheming
against him. "I can protect myself against such rabble, cousin," was all
he would say. "But I would thank you for bidding your lad to me in the
joustings; it was a matter I had overlooked that one must have an
esquire. I'll not forg