"How many are you ?" asked the outlaw.

"Fifty, all told, with those who lie farther back in the bushes."

"Give us mules, and let two of the men ride way behind us," said the chief."And, Sarmy, let not the lady know that she rides this night with the0utlaw of Torn."

"Yes, My Lord."

They were soon mounted, and clattering down the road, back toward thecastle of Richard de Tany.

Joan de Tany looked in silent wonder upon this grim force that sprang outof the shadows of the evening to do the bidding of Roger de Conde, agentleman of France.

There was something familiar in the great bulk of Red Shandy; where had sheseen that mighty frame before ? And now she looked closely at the figureof Roger de Conde. Yes, somewhere else had she seen these two mentogether; but where and when ?

And then the strangeness of another incident came to her mind. Roger deConde spoke no English, and yet she had plainly heard English words uponthis man's lips as he addressed the black giant.