instal as temporary Ranger
one of the Sherwood men whom he might think fit and trustworthy. Then a
messenger was to be despatched with another parchment to the Abbot of
York: writ this time in true Norman tongue.

After these things were executed Master Simeon was to turn his men
about, and march them determinedly upon the outlaws' stronghold, which
was now known to be at Barnesdale, and exterminate the band.

A task none so easy, after all!

For the satisfactory doing of these small commissions Carfax was to
receive one hundred and fifty pieces of gold; and also would be accepted
by the Sheriff as a fitting husband for the pale, hard-eyed demoiselle,
Marie of Monceux. 'Twas this reward that made Master Simeon desperate
and dangerous.

The forester, John Berry by name, told Robin further that Carfax had
clothed his body in chain-mail, and was carrying a dreadful axe in his
belt--with which to avenge the insult put upon him in the matter of the
stag's horns.

"Let us seek Barnesdale forthwith," said Robin. "I am all agog to warn
Will o' th' Green--for he has been a stout friend to me."

"Hurry then, master," cried Berry, the forester. "You are not far from
the Barnesdale road. In sooth, as I followed your tracks, I wondered
how you had come so far within a very short space. You are now within
touch of Gamewell."

It was true. In the mazy forest they had nearly described a circle, and
were now perilously nigh to Gamewell and the squire.

An idea came to Robin. He turned to Warrenton.

"Could we but find that underground path whereby cousin Geoffrey came
and went from the pleasance, old friend," said he, "why--we might play
the Yellow Lady to purpose!"

"Excellence," replied Warrenton, "I will undertake to bring you to the
forest entrance of Master Will's castle within a score of minutes."

"Lead us, Warrenton--and I prithee be better guide than you have been so
far in this adventure."

After taking many by-paths, and through a big tunnel-shaped cave, the
path became dry again, and lighter: and soon they saw that the end was
near. They emerged presently, tired and dirtied; and found themselves
under the bank of a little jumping woodland river--far down in a gorge
of rock and brake, studded and overhung with thick trees.

It was a wild spot: and only the notes of the birds and the rush of the
falling water disturbed it. But ere they had proceeded a quarter of a
mile up the bank of the stream a sudden bend i