He shrugged his shoulders and sat down on the limb of a fallen tree.
Resistance was quite useless, with no weapon save a dagger, and no
armor but silk and velvet.

"The unanimity of your desires does me much honor," he said; "pray
proceed."

The leader lowered his bow.

"It is a great pleasure to meet you, Sir Aymer de Lacy," said he, "and
particularly to be received so graciously."

"You know me?"

"We saw you arrive yesterday--but there were so many with you we
hesitated to ask a quiet word aside."

The Knight smiled. "It is unfortunate--I assure you my talk would have
been much more interesting then."

"In that case it is we who are the losers."

De Lacy looked him over carefully.

"Pardieu, man," said he, "your language shames your business."

The outlaw bowed with sweeping grace.

"My thanks, my lord, my deepest thanks." He unstrung his bow and