seemed to be out of the question.

"Jump over the ledge of my box, Robin," whispered a sudden small voice,
"and so make your way through the door at the back of it. Hasten!"

Gratefully Robin did as she bade him; and Stuteley, without waiting for
invitation, followed. Mistress Fitzwalter instantly opened the door for
them. "Hurry, I pray you," cried she; "I see them coming for you both.
The Prince has sent his pikemen----"

Robin pushed Will out before him; and, turning, caught her little hand
in his.

"Thanks, thanks," he muttered, hurriedly, and strove to kiss her
fingers.

Laughing and blushing, she snatched them away.

"Go," she cried, in agitated voice, "and stay not until you reach
Locksley. We may meet again--to talk of thanks," she added, seeing that
he still hesitated.

"Give me at least your name," panted poor Robin, at the door; "not that
I shall ever forget you."

"I am called Marian," answered she, closing the door ruthlessly upon
him--"Marian Fitzwalter.... Go now, I implore you, and may good fortune
be with you always."

CHAPTER XII

So, ingloriously, they returned through the night to Locksley. None
offered to stay them in the forest of Sherwood; indeed, Robin might well
have disbelieved in the existence of Will o' th' Green and his outlaw
band, had he not had such good reason to know otherwise. It was as if
Will had silently yielded him that freedom of the forest which he
boasted was his to give. Tired and footsore, yet filled with a strange
elation, Robin came back to Locksley before dawn, with faithful Stuteley
forlornly following him.

There were questions to be asked and answered when they arrived; and
Warrenton was very indignant when he heard of the Prince's gross
favoritism of his archer Hubert.

Robin seemed to show too little vexation in the matter, Warrenton
thought. The man-at-arms was both perplexed and amazed by the
semi-indifference displayed by the youth: here had he, by marvellous
skill, won a fine prize, and had seen the same snatched most unfairly
from him, and yet was not furiously enraged; but rather amused, as it
were.

"Surely, surely, you will go back with me to-morrow and demand the purse
from the Sheriff?" said Warrenton, in argumentative attitude. "Squire
George o' th' Hall shall give us the best of Gamewell to enforce respect
to you."

"Nay, it matters not so much as that, Warrenton. The money I would like
to have had, I'll not deny it; for it would