"I have myself been the king's man for thirty years or more, but I have not been wont to halloo about it on a peaceful highway." "I ride in his service," cried the other, "and I carry that which belongs to him.

You bar my path at your peril." "Yet I have known the king's enemies claim to ride in his same," said Sir Nigel.

"The foul fiend may lurk beneath a garment of light.

We must have some sign or warrant of your mission." "Then must I hew a passage," cried the stranger, with his shoulder braced round and his hand upon his hilt.

"I am not to be stopped on the king's service by every gadabout." "Should you be a gentleman of quarterings and coat-armor," lisped Sir Nigel, "I shall be very blithe to go further into the matter with you.
If not, I have three very worthy squires, any one of whom would take the thing upon himself, and debate it with you in a very honorable way." The man scowled from one to the other, and his hand stole away from his sword.
"You ask me for a sign," he said.