At this, the King, seeing that Sir Richard knew him, threw back his cowl, and all the yeomen saw his face and knew him also, for there was not one of them but had been in the crowd in the good town of Nottingham, and had seen him riding side by side with the Sheriff.

Down they fell upon their knees, nor could they say a word.
Then the King looked all around right grimly, and, last of all, his glance came back and rested again upon Sir Richard of the Lea.
"How is this, Sir Richard ?" said he sternly.

"How darest thou step between me and these fellows?
And how darest thou offer thy knightly Castle of the Lea for a refuge to them?
Wilt thou make it a hiding place for the most renowned outlaws in England ?" Then Sir Richard of the Lea raised his eyes to the King's face.

"Far be it from me," said he, "to do aught that could bring Your Majesty's anger upon me.

Yet, sooner would I face Your Majesty's wrath than suffer aught of harm that I could stay to fall upon Robin Hood and his band; for to them I owe life, honor, everything.