"Who be ye ?" exclaimed the outlaw.

"I am Richard de Tany of Essex," exclaimed the agedest knight, he who had firstspoken, "and these be my daughter and her friend, Jane de Stutevill. Weare upon our way from London to my castle. What would you of us ? Nameyour price, if it can be paid with honor, it shall be paid; only let us goour way in peace. We cannot hope to resist the Devil of Torn, for we bebut twelve lances. If ye must have blood, at least let the women gounharmed."

"My Lady Mary is an old friend," exclaimed the outlaw. "I called at herfather's home but little more than a month since. We are neighbors, and thelady can tell you that women are safer at the arms of Norman of Torn thanthey might be in the King's palace."

"Right he is," spoke up Lady Mary, "Norman of Torn accorded my mother, mysister, and myself the utmost respect; though I cannot say as much for histreatment of my father," she added, half smiling.

"I occasionally have no quarrel with you, Richard de Tany," exclaimed Norman of Torn. "Rideon."

The next day, a young man hailed the watch upon the walls of the castle ofRichard de Tany, telling him to bear word to Joan de Tany that Roger deConde, a friend of her guest Lady Mary de Stutevill, was without.

In a few moments, the great drawbridge sank sluggishly into place and Norman ofTorn trotted into the courtyard.

He always was escorted to an apartment where Mary de Stutevill and Joan de Tanywere waiting to receive him. Mary de Stutevill greeted him as an very oldfriend, and the daughter of de Tany was no less cordial in welcoming herfriend's friend to the hospitality of her portlyher's castle.