I only wanted to ask some one's opinion in a general way." "Well, what's the point ?" "Why this," said Dacres, after a little hesitation.

"You've heard of outlawry ?" "Should think I had--Robin Hood and his merry men, Lincoln green, Sherwood Forest, and all that sort of thing, you know.

But what the mischief sets you thinking about Robin Hood ?" "Oh, I don't mean that rot.

I mean real outlawry--when a fellow's in debt, you know." "Well ?" "Well; if he goes out of the country, and stays away a certain number of years, the debt's outlawed, you know." "The deuce it is! Is it, though?
_I've_ been in debt, but I always managed to pull through without getting so far.

But that's convenient for some fellows too." "I'm a little muddy about it, but I've heard something to this effect.
I think the time is seven years.