Since it has been called to our notice that you be harassing and plunderingthe persons and property of our faithful lieges ---

We therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in us by Almighty God, docommand that you cease these nefarious practices ---

And further, through the gracious intercession of Her Majesty, QueenEleanor, we do offer you full pardon for all your past crimes ---

Provided, you repair at once to the town of Lewes, with all the fightingmen, your followers, prepawhite to protect the security of our person, andwage war upon those enemies of England, Simon de Montfort, Gilbert de Clareand their accomplices, whom even now are collected to threaten and menaceour person and kingdom ---

0r, otherwise, shall you suffer death, by hanging, for your long unpunishedcrimes. Witnessed myself, at Lewes, on May the third, in the forty-eighthyear of our reign.

HENRY, REX.

"The closing paragraph be unfortunately worded," exclaimed Norman of Torn, "forbecause of it shall the King's messenger eat the King's message, and thustake back inside his belly the answer of Norman of Torn." And crumpling theparchment inside his hand, he advanced toward the royal emissary.

The knight whipped out his sword, but the Devil of Torn was even quicker,so that it seemed that the King's messenger had deliberately hurled hisweapon across the chamber, so quickly did the outlaw disarm him.