kissed and departed each from each. And Osberne made no
farewells to anyone else, and said that he was for Longshaw, and
should abide there a month or so. And thus he rode his ways.

Chapter LI. Osberne is Beguiled by Felons

Now he took up his abode there; and presently he took to going day
after day along a certain path, which was just well within the borders
of the Wood. And there he would walk well-nigh all day, sometimes
going further, sometimes stopping short and going to and fro, and this
became known to all men, and such times he was unarmed, save that he
was girt with Boardcleaver under his gown.

Now on the thirteenth day of his sojourn he walked this path, and had
gone somewhat further than usual, and was beginning to think of
turning back, when there came a man toward him from the Wood and
hailed him, and he took his greeting. The man was clad in black, and
had a buckler at his back and sword and dagger by his side, a white
sallet on his head: a long-nosed, dark-haired man, beardless and
thin-lipped, whose eyes came somewhat too near to each other each side
of his head. He looked as if he might be some chapman's servant.

Osberne looked for him to pass by him, and stood a little aside; but
the man stopped and said: "O famous warrior, might a carle of no worth
speak with thee a few words this noon?"

"Why not?" said Osberne, smiling, for never might he bring himself to
the fashion of great men to be rough and short with common folk. Said
the newcomer: "Thou art far from the host today, and hast no angry
look on thee, wherefore I shall risk thy wrath by saying that thou
lookest somewhat less than gleeful, great warrior." Said Osberne: "I
have a trouble on me, and I have been forced to let many men know
thereof."

"Wilt thou tell me thereof?" said the newcomer; "maybe I shall be the
last to whom thou shalt tell it."

Osberne looked on him a while doubtfully and anxiously; at last he
said: "This it is. Five years ago a maiden was stolen from me, and I
have sought her since in many places, and have heard no word
concerning her of any avail." Said the carle: "Dost thou remember the
battle in the square by the carfax of the great City, and how there
was a man before thy mighty hand who cried out to spare his life, for
that he could tell thee of the said maiden; and thereon thou wert
about to give him peace, but ere thou couldest take him to thy mercy
he was slain by one of the carle-weavers?"

"Yea,"