"Who can cope with the duplicity of a woman?" I retorted! "But,
Lisbeth, you will give me one - just one?"

"It would spoil the pair."

"Oh, very well," I sighed, "good night, Lisbeth," and lifting my
cap I turned away.

There came a ripple of laughter be hind me, something struck me
softly upon the cheek, and stooping, I picked up that which lay
half unrolled at my feet, but when I looked round Lisbeth was gone.

"So presently I thrust "them" into my pocket and walked back slowly
along the river path toward the hospitable shelter of the Three
Jolly Anglers.



II

THE SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM


To sit beside a river on a golden afternoon listening to its
whispered melody, while the air about one is fragrant with summer,
and heavy with the drone of unseen wings! - What ordinary mortal
could wish for more? And yet, though conscious of this fair world
about me, I was still uncontent, for my world was incomplete - nay,
lacked its most essential charm, and I sat with my ears on the