My learned friend the Fleming layeth it down that it is no robbery to
rob a robber. But where shall we conceal this body?'

'Wherefore should we conceal it?' I asked.

'Why, man, unused to war or the precautions of a warrior, you must yet
see that should this body be found here, there will be a hue and cry
through the country, and that strangers like ourselves will be arrested
on suspicion. Should we clear ourselves, which is no very easy matter,
the justice will at least want to know whence we come and whither we go,
which may lead to inquiries that may bode us little good. I shall
therefore take the liberty, mine unknown and silent friend, of dragging
you into yon bushes, where for a day or two at least you are like to lie
unobserved, and so bring no harm upon honest men.'

'For God's sake do not treat it so unkindly,' I cried, springing down
from my horse and laying my hand upon my companion's arm. 'There is no
need to trail it in so unseemly a fashion. If it must be moved hence, I
shall carry it with all due reverence. 'So saying, I picked the body up
in my arms, and bearing it to a wayside clump of yellow gorse bushes, I
laid it solemnly down and drew the branches over it to conceal it.

'You have the thews of an ox and the heart of a woman, 'muttered my
companion. 'By the Mass, that old white-headed psalm-singer was right;
for if my memory serves me, he said words to that effect. A few
handfuls of dust will hide the stains. Now we may jog upon our way
without any fear of being called upon to answer for another man's sins.
Let me but get my girth tightened and we may soon be out of danger's
way.'