the heather on either side of the track in the hope of receiving
an occasional farthing from the passer-by, were the only folk they
met until they had reached the village of Puttenham. Already
there, was a hot sun and just breeze enough to send the dust
flying down the road, so they were glad to clear their throats
with a glass of beer at the ale-stake in the village, where the
fair alewife gave Nigel a cold farewell because he had no
attentions for her, and Aylward a box on the ear because he had
too many.

On the farther side of Puttenham the road runs through thick woods
of oak and beech, with a tangled undergrowth of fern and bramble.
Here they met a patrol of sergeants-at-arms, tall fellows,
well-mounted, clad in studded-leather caps and tunics, with lances
and swords. They walked their horses slowly on the shady side of
the road, and stopped as the travelers came up, to ask if they had
been molested on the way.

"Have a care," they added, "for the `Wild Man' and his wife are
out. Only yesterday they slew a merchant from the west and took a
hundred crowns."

"His wife, you say?"

"Yes, she is ever at his side, and has saved him many a time, for
if he has the strength it is she who has the wit. I hope to see
their heads together upon the green grass one of these mornings."

The patrol passed downward toward Farnham, and so, as it proved,
away from the robbers, who had doubtless watched them closely from