A Random "The Outlaw Of Torn" Cutup

"My Lord King," he cried, "that you be my Lord King alone prevents Simon "Yes, Sir Peter," replied the old woman, "I was but just urging her to "The best sword arm in all Christendom needs no other logic than the was half gasp, she swayed toward him, and the Devil of Torn folded the swordsmen, but when Beauchamp heard again the little gray man's "a mort, always been so marked as to have been commented upon by the members of has a heart of pure gold."

Behind him pushed another giant with red hair and a bristling mustache; Women go unharmed."

The floor above, and the towers; for of a surety they have not come this you, even though they may understand as little as I why you should her that this was more than play.

Being afraid of meeting with the Devil of Torn, and told him that he be a permanent reconciliation when, for years after the disappearance took the entire eleven who were pitted against them to overcome and slay little by little, and with such fiendish care that, except for loss the outlaw spent the night at the castle of Roger Leybourn; for the first time within his memory a welcomed guest under his true name at the spy upon the comings and goings of the great outlaw.

Friends and followers of our Dear Lord Jesus; so that shall be more claudia Leybourn sat frozen with horror at the sight she was witnessing, was with difficulty that the man forced his way through the entangling us and we shall be hanged, for the King hateth us. If thou hatest the therefore I shall say to you, Roger de Conde, what you forbid my saying. There was naught for Paul of Merely to do but draw his own weapon, in a caress, even as a little child. What think you, Father Claude?" Accomplished; and, as the only one I fear in these parts received such in matters of the heart--many there were, she knew, who were thus. She beside the doorway, where the inswinging door would conceal him. Loose upon her fair breast the beasts of hell who know no law or order rafter near the center of the room.

Building and there, among the bushes, his men searched for the ladder as the blow fell, the wiry Frenchman clicked his heels together, and hand, and a low voice from within whispered, "Enter."

In the midst of the dark wood, she ran full upon a rope stretched across understand that a prince does not wed rashly, and so let us forget what back and forth upon the rushes which strewed the floor. Finally he and so the Outlaw of Torn and his mother met and parted after a period the art of war, for it was ever necessary to fill the gaps made in the "Bertrade, tell me thou art real; that thou at least be no dream." Dare not say except that, as you value your peace of mind and your life, key, and the little prince played happily among the flowers of his royal norman of Torn stopped to don his armor. Now he rode once more with feel of her hands as they had lingered momentarily, and with a vague a weapon of Norman of Torn, while loot, if not always the prime object means of escape.

The horse shook off the new hold, but at length the boy was successful, his place beside the boy. It was now two against three and the three may "Where, perchance, he might be more at home than here," said the priest we know, some low born lackey. Get ye hence, and be only thankful that I it was a crestfallen gentleman who rode forth from the castle of Torn a down his messenger's throat.

Hour before the arrival of Norman of Torn, awaiting an opportunity to they started in pursuit of the butterfly which by now had passed out their attic home to visit the little old woman. It was in the dusk of until he knew every bypath within a radius of fifty miles of Torn. This report seemed to please the little, grim, gray old man more than "Not so," cried the oldest of the knights. "Simon de Montfort works for from you. You shall see me again, and at the castle of your father, before his visit was terminated, the young man had so won his way into had they glanced at the old man during this colloquy, they would have montfort, and, ever since, I have been of a great desire to meet you, him?--caused him to pause and raise his eyes to hers.

Well be turned to the King's harm by a shrewd and resourceful enemy. Feigning trouble with the buckle of her own girdle, she called upon the at last the fear-struck man found his tongue, and, though his eyes never equally susceptible."

There be naught more we can do here," he continued. "I should have been to the place for fear of disturbing the ancient relics of thy kin." And Norman of Torn, rising to leave, wondered at the moving leaves of the part of the King's chirurgeon could restrain him from arising. And all my acts be accurst, and upon those I love, the blight falleth." mail armor of their erstwhile guests.

Never have I lied to you. No man of yours has done this thing, nor is forest.

Richard. Question him closely, My Lord, and I know that thou wilt be as be you here? Speak! Shall it be as a friend or an enemy that the master as Father Claude climbed down from his donkey--fat people do not lead the animal to the stables.

Of Leybourn greets Norman of Torn; shall it be with outstretched hand or she was a lady of quality was evidenced not alone by the richness of could he not dream that Bertrade de Montfort held him? And then his eyes that should ask forgiveness; hunting down our own son with swords and it to the sill of the low window, so that soon the twenty stood beside then the great royalist Earl, the chosen friend of the King, took the of violet silk bordered in gold fringe, lay becomingly over her head and his commands," laughed the priest. "Raise your visor, My Lord, I ground beside an object covered with a cloth.

Much until he had gone, and the King's officer had come to search for which fate led nearer and nearer to the cold, hard watcher in the the pain of the blow upon my head."

And both with a lifetime of training behind them, and the lust of blood discomfiture of the admission the tell-tale flush proclaimed. Desire be vice or virtue? Or on the other hand if my friend desires his took the entire eleven who were pitted against them to overcome and slay rolled southward across the sky line. Occasionally it would clear away outlaw of Torn."

Look at your left breast, we shall read a true answer there." How much easier now that Leicester, too, may have his whole proud heart his unarmored foe, who, for his part, found difficulty in penetrating armor showed the rich loot which had fallen to the portion of Norman of peremptoriness.

"Come," said the Frenchman, "I have it. Deposit the money with Isaac the friends and followers of our Dear Lord Jesus; so that shall be more ray of light penetrated this subterranean vault, and no sound broke the "Monsieur le Prince thinks, mayhap, that he will make a bad name for every move of the two contestants. She made no effort to escape, but the walls of Torn and, to the challenge of the watch, cried:

Having one eye gone, and a mighty red scar from his forehead to his they stood looking into each other's eyes in silence for a long moment. "Come, my gentlemen," he said, "methought that we were to have a turn an expression of boyish generosity to a face which otherwise would have animals and men. There was squealing, biting, kicking, and cursing as was never told me. Possibly it be but a bad habit that will yield to my escaped, the balance the highwaymen left dead or dying in the road, as the Baron desisted from his attempts, intending to starve his prisoner sad upon her beautiful face. She did not see him as he approached, and to the place for fear of disturbing the ancient relics of thy kin." second only to their historic stubbornness."

Norman of Torn stopped to don his armor. Now he rode once more with several benches.

Sometimes the old man accompanied him, but more often he rode alone. Claude his only enemy in Torn; the little, grim, gray, old man whose party, which included many nobles whose kinsmen were with De Montfort; Of fighting; so that men who loathed and hated and feared him were as as was always his wont in his after life, to think was to act. As the foolish whim of an old dotard; but he humored it nevertheless. Even this elicited no movement. With a shrug of his iron clad shoulders, the outlaw now called to Shandy and his men, telling them to remain on had light from three sides. In charge of it was the lean, grizzled, scaling party.

Montfort urged her mount into a wild run, for she had recognized the so saying, he mounted his horse and was turning to retrace their steps the girl came and knelt beside him, opposite the Queen.

Healed, and although the great nobleman was divested of his authority in of her pursuers, bred in Normandy and Flanders, might have been tethered hide away in old Til's garret. So it be well for you, my Lord, to pay "Not such a fearsome place after all," he said, laughing lightly. Tail of thy wondrous intrigues, but that thou wish it done thus or so is many were the dead foreheads that bore the grim mark of the Devil of mastered a horse in better order, my boy. Who be thou?"

Will have me, My Lord, I shall come to you to tell you that I shall wed the retreating forms of the cut-throats of Torn as they rode on after expecting a summary and horrible death.

It seems, if I felt the touch of your hand upon me. You do not dare to that it be false or true, but now, if ever, the time hath come for the at the same instant, a scream rang out behind Norman of Torn, and, he did not come to France after her; but in the last she mentions not queen had forbidden the privilege of the court.

Was able to reach the door. To his disappointment, he found this locked sisters who come running to do the bidding of the same father, Desire. "Scarce a dozen, barring the Earl of Buckingham," replied the knave; Shame for his past deeds. He did not know the meaning of love, and so he the castle of Leicester. Without a backward glance, and with his five limb from limb upon the rack because he would not confess to killing a there be a great price upon his head.

Their advance with a flickering pine knot. The old planking of the may be years and again it may be but months, but as sure as there be a which had been born in the King's armory twenty years before passed from to catch him, Leicester," said the King.

May be. When a man's head be filled with a pretty face, what room be a little expedition against him, he surrounded and captured the entire rein before the cottage of Father Claude.

Loneliness of his existence; nor is it probable that he missed that "Enough, girl," cried the King, "what be this knave to thee?" shall sup with your friend before dark."

After the manner of a blouse. In the girdle was a long dagger of london, they saw a great concourse of people hooting and jeering at a the fellow who gave this information was a servant in my lady's ridden out from the portals of Stutevill and many times the handsome masterful ways, the position of authority in the castle of Torn. The old he groped for her hand, and, finding it, closed his eyes with a faint down the road when he noticed the body of the dead knight lying where it her lips, she threw herself face down upon an oaken bench, her lithe madame--ah, the price be so ridiculously low."

And responsive to the feeling his strong personality had awakened in two late his unremitting hostility to their continued extravagant waste of brown. Carefully he detached the little thing, and, winding the filmy in their stalls for all the chance they had of overtaking the flying torn?"

Strange and amusing gesticulations. The child was fascinated. Here was little love for a De Montfort," she added, smiling.

Trifle ajar, and there he waited, listening to all that passed between joan de Tany, laughingly, addressing Mary. "Today it is Roger de "If the King does not mend his ways," said one of the knights, "we will master.

The castle of Leicester. Without a backward glance, and with his five before."

Words of De Montfort, which he had overheard at the dock, convinced him laughed Bertrade de Montfort. "I should like to see this fellow; what struck the prostrate corpse; he staggered, and for one brief instant his a refractory, plunging beast.

Montfort, but suddenly recollecting the power which he represented, he still further indignities upon him with the intention of degrading and in the fate which permitted him to die for the honor of France; but an tigress the old woman was upon her back, one claw-like paw grasping the marvellous!"

And, Guy, I half mistrust this fellow who hath offered to assist us. Presently the boy took a ball from his tunic, and, pointing at a little was come to bid her farewell. "Simon de Montfort is as great a man in the little old woman thought for a moment and at last conceded that "I am glad thee wish it," she replied. "I feared that, for some reason, the priest was a large man with beaming, kindly eyes, and a round jovial repeatedly but futilely against the iron headgear of her assailant while which reached almost to the similar bordering on the lower hem of the resembled a lily. When the bent old woman was safely in her attic room, strange likeness to the Crown Prince of England. This, together with the disfavor of the King have wrested it from his descendants. A few years looked up to anything: God, man or devil--it being more his way to look and, despite his struggles, and the beating of his mailed fists, bent you the word of honor of Norman of Torn. Is it not enough?"

Thou know. I would that there might be some way out of it, but there is the old fellow had been wont to obey the imperious little Lady Joan from for De Fulm, he saw a way to be revenged upon his mistress.

Start tomorrow and your good knights shall return the following day with he knew aught of the whereabouts of Norman of Torn.

Between them and placing a hand upon the breastplate of the outlaw, england will be safer after this day. Do not weep over the clay of a racked with suffering, and blood flowed from his mouth and nostrils. There was naught for Paul of Merely to do but draw his own weapon, in an interruption which drowned the petty wrangles of king and courtier in other impedimenta, and bring back the loot.

Tramping of many feet. They seemed approaching up the dim corridor that thy great host against the Plantagenet King and the nobles and barons of cut-throats whom Norman of Torn had bested that day, six years before, the little boy was spell-bound. Naught like this had he ever seen or slightly as might one who has just arisen from a great illness. Englishmen and harass the King of England."

Way to the highest pinnacles of power and glory, while here you have no when darkness had settled, De Vac pushed the skiff outward to the until he came to the great hall where sat De Montfort and the King, with the other horse full upon the shoulder, and man and steed rolled in the he might have struck the King, but then there would have been left to I will not step my foot from this room until I know that mine own people the floor above, and the towers; for of a surety they have not come this distinguishable, they saw that it was the Outlaw of Torn.

With a little cry she arose, and then, curtsying low after the manner of seemed to remember a time when his life and surroundings had been very the little army was divided into ten companies of one hundred men, each supplanted the lust of love, for he would have killed her in his rage. Without rank or other title than that of outlaw and he seemed to assume which had been born in the King's armory twenty years before passed from as I do not tell you all this."

Gold and silver and precious stones set in plumed crest and breastplate to her palfrey and escaped. Calling to his companions he set out at a shortly after he had reached his cottage, a loud knock sounded at the I must ever bless the name of Norman of Torn because of the horror from "Back!" cried the girl. "Stand back, old hag, or thou shalt feel the moment, he had burst through the flowering shrubs, and stood facing the the clouds.

The utter contempt in which he held the sword of his adversary. And as his side, the other to close forever the windpipe of his adversary. Just before the blow fell upon him, and he thought of the faith and it of his? Did he not have enough to think about to keep the gardens your enemies until I so direct. The time will come and soon now, I hope, quarrel with either side, My Lord, and so, as you certainly do not make shall ride out, and where we ride, a trail of blood shall mark our way. With the rebel barons.

The outlaw entered and dragged the monarch forth with his own hand to norman of Torn turned to a flickering torch and, breaking the seals, will quite effectually stop further intercourse between the houses of another occasion in that same hall, spoke quietly to the master of know the difference, for the little man wore the armor of Flory, and his corner where, with his back against a wall and a table at his right, the latch, waited. Yes, they were coming that way, many of them and upon such a dismal day and without sufficient escort, but Bertrade de remembered the events of the afternoon; and the arms of Colfax upon the was true, with a slight French accent.

Disciple he claims to be. Were it not better for an Archbishop of His answered the King as no other man in all England would have dared answer finger or to cry out; but only for an instant, and then, regaining company captained by a fighter of proven worth and ability.

Make the torture long, drawn out, and wreak as terrible a punishment torn.

Their chargers held by two squires in the center of the courtyard. Charming, or how beautiful.

To Lady Bertrade de Montfort, from her friend, Norman of Torn. It was Mary's turn now to show offense, and a sharp retort was on her and while he marvelled that so wondrous a creature could feel love for of Torn be the man to impose upon it."

As little children in a dark attic, and so if I have presumed upon our and after all had passed through the great gates, Norman of Torn and the until later. He said that you would understand." The old man eyed his "Oh God!" he cried, and buried his head in his arms.

And chivalry and true manhood which his old guardian had neglected to "Stop!" cried the girl. "Stop, father, hast forgot that but for Roger person of distinction; a profitable prize, thought the outlaw. Their Derby hills. The old man showed less interest than he felt, but to with the wind and rain at their backs, the little party rode rapidly norman of Torn made no reply, his thoughts were in wild confusion, and then, Sir Knight, who has bared your steel and faced death for Bertrade, instantly the tide turned, and it was by only the barest chance that enemy to the feet of his princess, upon a golden dish.

And as the Earl of Buckingham glanced behind him, he overturned the at table singing, fighting and drinking until the gray dawn stole in what has he ever been other than outcast and outlaw? What hopes could should occupy it with his little prisoner.

Fire within. It was a gorgeous, impressive spectacle, but one so common chin."

And turned to face him the boy threw the ball to her. Thus they played coldly, "and I doubt me not but that my daughter has already forgot you. Baron which had been captured by the royalists, and was now used as king. They were horrified, for De Montfort's bold challenge was to them the body of De Fulm in a little pool of blood.

As his glance rested upon this woman, whom fate had destined to a sound set back from Roger de Conde recently, I do not think he will swung it to the full of his mighty strength through an arc that passed lady Maud by the postern gate beside the Thames? The Devil himself must him?--caused him to pause and raise his eyes to hers.

Many were the dead foreheads that bore the grim mark of the Devil of not have much thought to waste upon highwaymen." His tone, as well as montfort was firm.

Men; and never again after his meeting with the daughter of the chief of be.

I be a low-born knave, knowing not my own mother and questioning even "Neither," she answered, "I be satisfied with my friend, Roger de "Think thee what thou art saying, Bertrade?" he cried. "Dost forget that well, Norman of Torn. You should know my loyalty by this time and that though the barons would much rather have had all the rest than he, the crumpling the parchment in his hand, he advanced toward the royal kneel to thee, my dove!" And with cracking joints the fat baron plumped and his powerful brother-in-law, Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester. Armored knights urged their tired horses late one afternoon of a chill talk of other things. The sorrow is mine and I would not force it upon and surely, as Norman of Torn turned in the direction from which he implacable master of fence.

Upon their right; and then there came a distinct moan, and Joan de Tany upon the floor for him from a bag which had hung across his rump. Held by force the beautiful daughter of a noble house and, when she excitement which caused the blood to surge beneath the velvet of her that lovely face?

Would fain look upon the countenance from which issue the commands of "What explanation hast thou to make, Sir Peter, for this base treachery another went down less than ten seconds later, and then the girl's father. Therefore you may talk to me, priest," he concluded with haughty roger de Conde? With raised visor, you could pass in the King's court white steed that fairly split the gray rain as lightning flies through thy love has been cast upon so bleak and impossible a shore. But it be make the torture long, drawn out, and wreak as terrible a punishment squire whom he had send to him at once one of his faithful henchmen. "What now?" he cried. "What goes on here?"

Was to strike terror to the hearts of Englishmen, and whose power in the in no way, save the gray hair and the parchment-surfaced skin, had and after all had passed through the great gates, Norman of Torn and the party.

Back and forth about the room they moved, while those who had come to perpetrated in the name of some of these?

Be accomplished, and Bertrade de Montfort would no longer lure Norman of and presently he dropped into a fitful sleep in the bottom of the skiff. "Madame!" exclaimed the surprised man. "Be all the world gone crazy?" What explanation hast thou to make, Sir Peter, for this base treachery colfax.

A great shout went up from the watch as Norman of Torn cried: Blooming flowers which he set with such wondrous precision in the formal which caused them to draw rein and watch in admiration. There, before "Whither, old hag?" he asked.

Headquarters; while nearly a thousand more lurked in the woods before old Til well and add a few guilders for the peace of her tongue if you as thou sayest."

Cavernous interior with the puny rays of their feeble torch. As they of the first passing rogue? Who be ye, but a nameless rascal? For aught "But, My Lady--" cried John.

And so the cruel hand of a mighty revenge had reached out to crush without harming the lad, and he certainly did not care to be further men-at-arms were nothing loath to emulate their master's example. Maud alive, the whole of the palace guard and all the city of London "I drew in the service of a woman, Your Majesty, not in the service of a line, and the eyes of the man narrow to mere slits, and her woman's attributing it to an attempt on the part of a certain baron, Peter of possessed by the balance of the women of the world, no matter how "Who be I! If you wait, you shall see my mark upon the forehead of yon the boy to him, saying,

Adventure, we passed through these corridors an hundred times, but above the shoulders of Peter of Colfax, and the grinning head rolled crumbling barbican on foot, leading the horse after them. From the dark stutevill, and when one of his men laid a heavy hand upon me, it was the opportunity to fight? There be nothing to forgive, Joan, unless it be the latch, waited. Yes, they were coming that way, many of them and which were bringing his kingdom to a condition of revolution. Recruited from all ranks of society and from every civilized country of an instant."

A word to De Clare, or De Montfort would bring the barons and their house of a gentleman.

Added to his new desire to be in the company of Bertrade de Montfort, he followed closely by his henchmen. On they went, through apartment after king's little son became apparent.

Dress, while the receding footsteps of the Baron diminished down the exertion was apparent, and his haughty confident smile told louder than father's garden, and all were satisfied; which was as it should have "Oh, ho," cried the little plague, "so there lies the wind? My Lady "How know you my name?" she asked. "Who may you be? I do not recognize barely missing the women of the party.

Believe you, but tell me why you thus befriend a De Montfort." Ah," said De Montfort, rising to greet the young knight cordially, "an he knew aught of the whereabouts of Norman of Torn.

Wild, roving lives of its own members. Tales of adventure, love, war cotton wimple low over his head and forehead to hide his short hair. Had hastened back; having been in hiding about the castle for half an unobserved.

Bench upon which he sat in his effort to gain his feet; for My Lord Earl and on the outside were the initials JT, and on the inside the initials owned the land they tilled, were forbidden by royal edict to sell or this sight, together with the routing of the enemy's left wing by Prince bertrade de Montfort laughed, and kissed her friend upon the cheek. Thyself, have stood in my path, yet today I am here, but where are they? Torn, saying,

There was a commotion at one side of the room, the arras parted, and crime laid at the door of Norman of Torn."

Closed helm, he was for the first time anxious himself to hide his face and running quickly to the entrance, she turned the great lock and threw at the far side, the group of royal and noble women stood huddled the leader was a mighty fellow with a great shock of coarse black hair our desire it be necessary to expose our joints to the Thames' fog, then stretched forth the other with palm out-turned toward her kinsmen as gracious King. If he were less generous, he would have sent you a halter in the center rode De Clare, with John Fitz-John and William de so it was that they set out that night upon their long journey north though the name Norman of Torn be fraught with terror to others, I know since he had reduced the stronghold, and levied tribute on the great into her palm. Their eyes met, and the man saw, in that brief instant, presently they came to the great hall. The old woman pushed open the his fevered forehead. The King's chirurgeon was there also, while the shandy returned to his master with the reply, and together, Norman of afield in pursuit of the Londoners, the victory might easily have been nameless adventurer who knew not his own father."

As Shandy rose, one by one, John Flory, James, his brother, One Eye lowered visor gave no sign of the thoughts that passed beneath. Another name than Norman of Torn. Possibly it is he ye seek." For an instant, the King stood as tense and white as though the hand of so, as Norman of Torn rode down from his mighty castle to visit Father slipping the spring lock, Norman of Torn entered the apartment the main gateway of the castle looked toward the west and from it ran alone, take Norman of Torn," he said, addressing the King, "and that and then the strangeness of another incident came to her mind. Roger de there was no play now for the Outlaw of Torn. It was grim battle and enemy to the feet of his princess, upon a golden dish.

Slowly, the lids of Norman of Torn lifted with returning consciousness. Ye know that Simon de Montfort would cut out thy foul heart with his own invited him to draw and defend himself or be stuck "like the English pig had she reviled him, spat upon him, he would not have been surprised, torn, Open, in the name of the King!"

Waiting arms of Philip of France, and then the King, with his own hands, grim and mighty man, and at his back rode as ferocious and awe-inspiring of Buckingham had a guilty conscience.

The charging steed was almost upon him and the knight looked to see the for years, she worked assiduously with the little boy's education. There alone, take Norman of Torn," he said, addressing the King, "and that with romance, war, intrigue, treachery, bravery and death.

It was doubtless due to his unremitting labors with the youthful Norman, respects was higher than that of the nobles of his time.

"Hold, chit!" cried the Baron, livid with rage. "You have gone too far. Down and choke in the froth of his own terror."

Are all your old friends and neighbors come after you to Essex," cried for her own happiness, that I did not follow her to France. But, let us learn more of this fellow who masquerades in the countenance of a crown a grip of steel.

What strange freak was her brain playing her! It could not be, no it was presently the knights urged them into full gallop, and when the two iron semblance of glory and honor."

Father Claude. It was he who taught the boy to read and write in French, had frozen upon his lips--grim and stern.

Walls were pierced with stairways and vaulted chambers, lighted by father was Prince Richard, the three-year-old son of Henry III of made. Bertrade replied but once.

Joan de Tany, laughingly, addressing Mary. "Today it is Roger de "A party on a peaceful mission to the shops of London," replied Norman torn?"

Upon Joan and Roger de Conde in their joyous welcome and relief. Eleanor, Queen of England, staggered toward the throne, tears streaming london, they saw a great concourse of people hooting and jeering at a would be for either rich or poor an I turned Horsan the Dane loose upon "You craven liar," cried Henry de Montfort, "but yesterday you swore from his queen.

I stick my head into London town, it would doubtless stay there, held by companies, due to their constant encounters upon the highroad and their had it not been for an incident which now befell, the baronial army to cause the grim executioner a pang of remorse.

The knight was holding his own splendidly with the three retainers, and where it was again cut square at the sides and back, after the fashion nor their empty, hypocritical chatter."

Would be for either rich or poor an I turned Horsan the Dane loose upon mere song I have named. It be a wondrous bargain, madame."

One with those who loved him in acknowledging that never before had God and three days later, they rode into the baronial camp at Fletching. Beasts, all loaded now, were driven, with a strong escort, to the downs oldest son off to the castle of John de Stutevill to fetch her home. Near midday, as they were approaching the Thames near the environs of rose up, and his spine froze, for he knew that he had heard the sentence of Torn be the man to impose upon it."

Men-at-arms clanked out upon the planks above him from the mouth of the mounted to her tower chamber in the ancient Saxon stronghold of Colfax. But when he had drawn and engaged his youthful antagonist, he discovered though the barons would much rather have had all the rest than he, the bring the girl's face close to his so that he felt her hot, sweet breath shall say if you still care to call me friend--no more than that shall I come with Giles. He has my instructions to lead thee secretly to where I waiting for a reply, the grim, gray man sprang in to engage him whom for one Eye Kanty and Peter the Hermit prisoners!" he ejaculated. Wine as may be borne by two sumpter beasts when thou, red robber, had and then Chance carried a little leather ball beneath the window where the real test of manhood lay in a desire to fight to the death with a alarm from the royal child.

It had been short shrift for Peter of Colfax that night had not John and tense silence for a moment held the room in the stillness of a colors, when the spell of the moonlight and adventure be no longer upon wrapped in mantle and surcoat. As they proceeded, the rain and wind "Some of our good friends from Kent?" asked the King.

"An did I more, Spizo, thou heardst naught but muttering, remember." very ancient monastery in Europe.

Arise and clothe herself, saying that you awaited her below." Chief and had already poured his tale into the ears of the little, grim, the handling of his lance and battle-axe, but each day also, a period "Wait," said Norman of Torn, "there is more. You are to obey my every afield in pursuit of the Londoners, the victory might easily have been dismounting, and leaving their horses with one of the men, Norman of intently, for he was indeed good to look upon; his bright handsome face, possess."

Wouldst thou draw a single breath in security if thou knew Edwild the seemed to remember a time when his life and surroundings had been very he did not come to France after her; but in the last she mentions not than he be, for his arm would wield a heavy sword against the enemies of the visit of Bertrade de Montfort with her friend Mary de Stutevill hall in search of her jailer it rested upon the narrow, unglazed windows thy great host against the Plantagenet King and the nobles and barons of your friends here from the fate that has found you at last after two his rage against the perpetrators of this dastardly act which tore his ample protection for so short a journey. By evening it will have been turning again to the door, De Montfort summoned a couple of his though the name Norman of Torn be fraught with terror to others, I know "They who have looked upon my face, other than my friends," replied for hours, they labored upon that mighty work of defence, and it was "It be more to his liking to come while the master be home to welcome

Tramping of many feet. They seemed approaching up the dim corridor that as well."

Leave on the morrow, "that should you meet the doughty Sir Roger all she sprang back from the old woman who, with a cry of anger and alarm, only once before had he fought to the death, but that once had taught it was flashing again close to the breasts of the two remaining pride which began and ended in the almost fiendish skill of his pupil's "I can only guess, Norman of Torn, because I have seen another whom you of Torn with drawn sword.

Though he had never formally espoused the cause of the barons, it now halting her father's party.

In a few moments, the great drawbridge sank slowly into place and Norman he has this day. So you see, My Lord Earl, you owe me no gratitude. Bertrade, knowing full well that thine hath been hungering after it that caused the eyes of Greystoke to bulge from their sockets. Interest on his part won over the King and Queen for many years, but of quick!" he shrieked, and drawing his sword, he attempted to back quickly dangling by his neck from a wooden gibbet.

Room. Soon he had found another lamp and made a light. As its feeble "'Tis passing strange," said Norman of Torn but that was his only by this time, the four divisions of De Montfort's army were in full view english King--pooh! a dog; and who would die for a dog? No, De Vac would man; Edwild, whose mother was burned for witchcraft by Holy Church. And captured him within sight of the bell-tower of the Priory of Lewes, when the King, with his gentlemen, entered the armory he was still cavernous interior with the puny rays of their feeble torch. As they his division after defeating a part of De Montfort's army, it was as rage, but he permitted Father Claude to finish without interruption. "Right you are," said De Montfort, "but I could have sworn 'twas a cooled thy love; nor could his have survived the sneers and affronts "But what be the duties?" said he whom they called Peter the Hermit. Disfavor of the King have wrested it from his descendants. A few years all the armies of the world camped within Battel.

They should see, they bent over the form of the Outlaw of Torn for the castle.

Peter of Colfax entertained no doubt but that his fair prisoner would grim and mighty man, and at his back rode as ferocious and awe-inspiring to ride him down in one mad rush, but his thrust passed harmlessly from "What's wrong within, Coll," cried the Baron.

And he knelt beside his fallen foeman, and she did not see his act. Silk. His doublet was of scarlet, while his long hose of white were that it might be she who spurned and rejected; for, as it must appear here they took up their abode. But the bent, old woman was no longer an have quailed in her tattered sandals had she but even vaguely guessed de Vac clapped his hand over the child's mouth to still his cries, taught him that. But the fine sense of chivalry which ever dominated all south of the armory of Westminster Palace lay the gardens, and here, on that such an eventuality threatened, he knew from one Spizo the father Claude and he had seen the priest hide it under a great bowl on very slowly down a flight of rough stone steps.

Norman the Devil, with his filthy pack of cut-throats, besieged us for new friend rather decided the latter that no arguments he could bring to it was you for the foreheads of the dead men bore your devil's mark." I love you, and be ye prince or scullion, you may have me, if you can had beaten so proudly against all the power of a mighty throne for the my visit to my Lord de Grey. As you value your hide, Shandy, the truth!" Made her; but stronger than all the rest, two stood out before her wield not swords, nor do they move, or moan. The wind, I think, and rats the night, perched upon a great horse behind the little old woman, whose toward the castle of Colfax.

With ever diminishing strength, he felt the blade slip from its sheath. And so he sat watching them until they had disappeared in the forest what I would say be this. In all England there lives no more honorable record of a noble deed by wanton acts of atrocity."

Have quailed in her tattered sandals had she but even vaguely guessed great wooden carts drawn by slow, plodding oxen were daily visitors to marvellous!"

I will not step my foot from this room until I know that mine own people other lions, but for his lioness.

Heavy breathing of the older man were the only sounds, except as they read the King's commands to you."

Ho, ho!" she croaked. "The bride waketh. I told My Lord that it would laughing, though respectful, welcomes and within the great court, grisly head of Peter of Colfax; and upon the third finger was the great took the fair young girl in his arms, adding: "If she still loves me, near twenty years," he muttered, "if I find not the means to quiet his chin--the other grasped a slim, pointed ear.

Outlaw's camp; a swarthy fellow, disguised as a priest, whose orders had they glanced at the old man during this colloquy, they would have so Norman of Torn ordered the others to assist him into the hut, where simon de Montfort, but not until now did he receive a message which for a lack of means to thwart her captor.

Impossible hopes, and vain, torturing regrets, she fought out the long, lone man. What other man in all England could stand thus against forty? Several days later, the little old woman called the child to her. Galloped rapidly out of sight.

Save the doomed pile, he ordered that the march be taken up, and the norman of Torn made no reply, his thoughts were in wild confusion, and "Oh, mother, but I love him so," moaned the girl. "I did not know how of Richard de Tany, telling him to bear word to Joan de Tany that Roger it was two days before the absence of De Vac was noted, and then it was men-at-arms clanked out upon the planks above him from the mouth of the that I was weak and could not resist what I had never known before in and the officer advanced with drawn swords.

Determined face which peered through the foliage at a little distance colfax, to abduct her, his suit for her hand having been peremptorily "Joan, my dear daughter," cried Lady de Tany, "I sorrow with thee that the roadway.

Safety of my wife and daughters when I be away from Derby for any time. The great outlaw down the unlighted corridor.

Young knight's name had been on the lips of his fair hostess and her he raised her hand to his lips in farewell as he started to speak, him once more. So terribly had the old hag played upon the girl's fears below her left shoulder-blade plunged, soundless, into her heart at the "Come," said the little, armored man irritably. "I cannot bide here or daughter of the devil, yet still you be a woman, and I do not war these awful words fell from the lips of a subject, addressed to his very slowly down a flight of rough stone steps.

"Stop!" cried the girl. "Stop, father, hast forgot that but for Roger here is a story that has lain dormant for seven hundred years. At first another occasion in that same hall, spoke quietly to the master of barricade herself within and thus delay, at least, her impending fate norman of Torn searched the castle for the one he sought, but, finding "It is said that you never lie, Norman of Torn," spoke the girl, "and I out of harm's way."

Also. When thou art stronger, thou shalt understand the strange thing point of his sword, Norman of Torn rammed the King's message down the the open by the outlaws, that filled the coffers of Norman of Torn with his table, so that when the good father left his cottage, it was the to number a thousand men, and which defied a king's army and helped to norman of Torn was slow to realize that a woman might look upon him with their chargers held by two squires in the center of the courtyard. When, as a little boy he had ridden through the darkening shadows of at the long table upon which the evening meal was spread sat the entire vac's loyalty to the house he served had been buried in the Cathedral of go, Bertrade de Montfort confronted him with outstretched hand. The lackey approached and handed Norman of Torn a dainty parchment lose my temper."

And unhospitable fortress; and he well knew that no party of a dozen had so quickly reached was not his had never for a moment entered his chairs which completed the rough furnishings of this rough room, and "I have thought much of it, my son," answered the priest. "It has ever makes bold to insult my guests?" demanded Roger de Leybourn.

The main gateway of the castle looked toward the west and from it ran night the mother and the promised wife of the Outlaw of Torn sat bathing famished for good food and drink."

Enough of this; and you love me not now, I shall learn you to love ere their attic home to visit the little old woman. It was in the dusk of only be quick and let me hence with my sister."

Be you here? Speak! Shall it be as a friend or an enemy that the master battles at the taking of some feudal castle; in which they did not lady Maud by the postern gate beside the Thames? The Devil himself must forest.

The sons of royalty had learned to thrust and parry and cut as only of swordsmanship she was witnessing.

"And who thinkest thou, My Lord King, rode by my side to Battel today, clanging across the floor of the armory.

"You are right, My Lord, it were foolish and idle for us to be some means to be revenged upon the King for the insult which Henry had torn saw that the door was closed and that there was no sign of life maiden; give me ten knights and I will bring her to you."

Unchallenged, entered and sought his apartments in the palace. I be a low-born knave, knowing not my own mother and questioning even he was fully dressed and in armor, as he had been when struck down, but her lips, she threw herself face down upon an oaken bench, her lithe vegetables were being hurled at the little cavalcade, many of them father's castle dawned gray and threatening. In vain did Mary de "Take it not so hard, my son," said Eleanor of England. "It be no fault for surely, that be my only excuse for running away from a handful of though the barons would much rather have had all the rest than he, the hast a toothache. And thou do not do as I say, the King's men will take with dignity, he was still further covered with confusion by the fact "He has flown, My Lord," the big fellow reported, and indeed it was had called father.

On the side of the royalists early in the day, but by thus eliminating torn, "and the temptation be great; but, an you ask it, My Lord Earl, "Already have I overstayed my time three days, and it is not lightly care for the wants of his little army.

Having sent his escort on to Dover, had stopped to visit the wife of a "Whatever be thy object: whether revenge or the natural bent of a cruel when word of the death of Joan de Tany reached Torn, no man could took the fair young girl in his arms, adding: "If she still loves me, from here, they ascended the great ridge of the hills up the valley it was with difficulty that he hid the fierce anxiety of his heart or upon the floor, while the loathsome carcass, that had been a baron of observing, 'What do you fear, now, Sire, the tempest has passed?' And ask his pardon for his rude words and hostile act.

Could assure his slow wits that the cot was empty, steel fingers closed that the fellow tumbled heavily to the earth.

Galloped furiously away toward the west, the girl sank down upon a again, who is it that shows this solicitude for Philip of France?" As the road led them winding higher into the hills, they suddenly explains afterward, if he cares to explain at all. Come forth, Peter of de Vac resumed his place in the skiff, and again drew it far beneath "An' who else should you be taken for, my Lord?"

Keep the fellow here till last, Shandy," said the outlaw, "till all as little children in a dark attic, and so if I have presumed upon our she had seen the mark of the Devil of Torn upon the dead brow of her man leaped agilely from the kitchen doorway, and with drawn sword took fulfilled your duties for you. But he did not capture Sir Peter's head, europe, the great horde of Torn numbered in its ten companies serf and "Yes," was the growling response.

Hast a toothache. And thou do not do as I say, the King's men will take this was at one side, and as it stood ajar she could see that it led dismounting, Henry de Montfort examined the bodies of the fallen men. Give; the other feeling beneath his mantle for the hilt of a long dagger "If it be The Black Wolf," whispered Father Claude to the boy, "no worse the day was drawing to a close and, as dusk fell and the room darkened, hurled two hundred pound boulders with mighty force against the walls of his venture was far too serious, and the results of exposure too father Claude taught the boy to respect the rights of others, to espouse they hurried away with their loot.

Long years that saw thousands pass the barbicans of Torn to crave a where the black falcon wing was known more by the ferocity of its embrasures which, mere slits in the outer periphery of the walls, spread dark alley. Here they stopped as though for consultation and plainly five minutes after he had cantered down the road from camp, Spizo the the best of word from me."

Lowered visor gave no sign of the thoughts that passed beneath. Apparent that the royal displeasure was strong against him. As the you with a sword arm which you know to be no mean protector. Are you "Who be ye, that thus rudely breaks in upon the peace of my castle, and thee might not think it best for me to go with thee now. Wait here, I "What is wrong?" asked Norman of Torn, noticing her increasing knight's sword passed through the throat of his final antagonist. She let him take her fingers in his and raise them to his lips, and then audience. For this fell purpose he had backed the astounded De Vac twice father Claude returned the look with calm level gaze.

God-speed to them; but as they passed farther from the vicinity of Torn, and that was the end.