Bear in mind too, that it is Herward the bailiff for whom you pray, and not Herward the sheriff, who is my uncle's son.

Now, Thomas, I pray you dispatch, for we have a long ride before us and sun has already set." Alleyne gazed upon the scene--the portly velvet-clad official, the knot of hard-faced archers with their hands to the bridles of their horses, the thief with his arms trussed back and his doublet turned down upon his shoulders.

By the side of the track the old dame was standing, fastening her red whimple once more round her head.

Even as he looked one of the archers drew his sword with a sharp whirr of steel and stept up to the lost man.

The clerk hurried away in horror; but, ere he had gone many paces, he heard a sudden, sullen thump, with a choking, whistling sound at the end of it.