This he did, ending by saying that he regretted much that he had not at once told his master what he had heard; but that, although he deemed evil was intended, he did not know that murder was meant, and thought it but concerned the carrying off of some damsel, and that this he had intended, by the aid of his comrades, to prevent.
"You have done well, Master Walter, since that be your name," the magistrate said.

"That you might have done better is true, for had you acted otherwise you might have prevented murder from being done.

Still, one cannot expect old heads upon young shoulders.

Give me the names of those who were with you, for I shall doubtless receive a message from Westminster this morning to know if I have heard aught of the affair.
In the meantime we must take steps to secure these pirates of the marsh.
The ground is across the river, and lies out of my jurisdiction." "It is for that reason," Geoffrey said, "that I wished that the story should be told to you privately, since the men concerned might well have sent a friend to the court to hear if aught was said which might endanger them." "I will give you a letter to a magistrate of Surrey, and he will despatch some constables under your guidance to catch these rascals.

I fear there have been many murders performed by them lately besides that in question, and you will be doing a good service to the citizens by aiding in the capture of these men.
"I will go willingly," the smith assented.
The Lord Mayor said, after a moment's thought.