第6章

Snatchingtheswordfromthebodyofhisdeadantagonist，NormanofTornrushedfromthetowerroom。

AsJohndeFulm，EarlofBuckingham，laidhisvandalhandsuponJoandeTany，sheturneduponhimlikeatigress。Blowafterblowsheraineduponhisheadandfaceuntil，inmortificationandrage，hestruckherfulluponthemouthwithhisclenchedfist；buteventhisdidnotsubdueherand，witheverweakeningstrength，shecontinuedtostrikehim。AndthenthegreatroyalistEarl，thechosenfriendoftheKing，tookthefairwhitethroatbetweenhisgreatfingers，andthelustofbloodsupplantedthelustoflove，forhewouldhavekilledherinhisrage。

ItwasuponthisscenethattheOutlawofTornburstwithnakedsword。

Theywereatthefarendoftheapartment，andhiscryofangeratthesightcausedtheEarltodrophisprey，andturnwithdrawnswordtomeethim。

Therewerenowords，fortherewasnoneedofwordshere。Thetwomenwereuponeachother，andfightingtothedeath，beforethegirlhadregainedherfeet。ItwouldhavebeenshortshriftforJohndeFulmhadnotsomeofhismenheardthefracas，andrushedtohisaid。

Fourofthemtherewere，andtheytumbledpell-mellintotheroom，fairlyfallinguponNormanofTornintheiranxietytogettheirswordsintohim；

butoncetheymetthatmasterhand，theywentmoreslowly，andinamoment，twoofthemwentnomoreatall，andtheothers，withtheEarl，werebutcirclingwarilyinsearchofachanceopening——anopeningwhichnevercame。

NormanofTornstoodwithhisbackagainstatableinanangleoftheroom，andbehindhimstoodJoandeTany。

"Movetowardtheleft，"shewhispered。"Iknowthisoldpile。Whenyoureachthetablethatbearsthelamp，therewillbeasmalldoorwaydirectlybehindyou。Strikethelampoutwithyoursword，asyoufeelmyhandinyourleft，andthenIwillleadyouthroughthatdoorway，whichyoumustturnandquicklyboltafterus。Doyouunderstand？"

Henodded。

Slowlyheworkedhiswaytowardthetable，themen-at-armsinthemeantimekeepingupaninfernalhowlingforhelp。TheEarlwascarefultokeepoutofreachofthepointofDeConde’ssword，andthemen-at-armswerenothingloathtoemulatetheirmaster’sexample。

Justashereachedhisgoal，adozenmoremenburstintotheroom，andemboldenedbythisreinforcement，oneofthemenengagingDeCondecametooclose。Ashejerkedhisbladefromthefellow’sthroat，NormanofTornfeltafirm，warmhandslippedintohisfrombehind，andhisswordswungwitharesoundingblowagainstthelamp。

Asdarknessenvelopedthechamber，JoandeTanyledhimthroughthelittledoor，whichheimmediatelyclosedandboltedasshehadinstructed。

"Thisway，"shewhispered，againslippingherhandintohisand，insilence，sheledhimthroughseveraldimchambers，andfinallystoppedbeforeablankwallinagreatoak-panelledroom。

Herethegirlfeltwithswiftfingerstheedgeofthemolding。Moreandmorerapidlyshemovedasthesoundofhurryingfootstepsresoundedthroughthecastle。

"Whatiswrong？"askedNormanofTorn，noticingherincreasingperturbation。

"MonDieu！"shecried。"CanIbewrong！Surelythisistheroom。Oh，myfriend，thatIshouldhavebroughtyoutoallthisbymywillfulnessandvanity；andnowwhenImightsaveyou，mywitsleavemeandIforgettheway。"

"Donotworryaboutme，"laughedtheDevilofTorn。"MethoughtthatitwasIwhowastryingtosaveyou，andmayheavenforgivemeelse，forsurely，thatbemyonlyexcuseforrunningawayfromahandfulofswords。Icouldnottakechanceswhenthouwertatstake，Joan，"headdedmoregravely。

Thesoundofpursuitwasnowquiteclose，infactthereflectionfromflickeringtorchescouldbeseeninnearbychambers。

Atlastthegirl，withalittlecryof"stupid，"seizedDeCondeandrushedhimtothefarsideoftheroom。

"Hereitis，"shewhisperedjoyously，"hereithasbeenallthetime。"

Runningherfingersalongthemoldinguntilshefoundalittlehiddenspring，shepushedit，andoneofthegreatpanelsswungslowlyin，revealingtheyawningmouthofablackopeningbehind。

Quicklythegirlentered，pullingDeCondeafterher，andasthepanelswungquietlyintoplace，theEarlofBuckinghamwithadozenmenenteredtheapartment。

"Thedeviltakethem，"criedDeFulm。"Wherecantheyhavegone？Surelywewererightbehindthem。"

"Itispassingstrange，MyLord，"repliedoneofthemen。"Letustrythefloorabove，andthetowers；forofasuretytheyhavenotcomethisway。"

Andthepartyretraceditssteps，leavingtheapartmentempty。

Behindthepanel，thegirlstoodshrinkingclosetoDeConde，herhandstillinhis。

"Wherenow？"heasked。"OrdowestayhiddenherelikefrightenedchicksuntilthewarisoverandtheBaronreturnstoletusoutofthismustyhole？"

"Wait，"sheanswered，"untilIquietmynervesalittle。Iamallunstrung。"Hefeltherbodytrembleasitpressedagainsthis。

Withthespiritofprotectionstrongwithinhim，whatwonderthathisarmfellabouthershoulderasthoughtosay，fearnot，forIbebraveandpowerful；naughtcanharmyouwhileIamhere。

Presentlyshereachedherhandsuptohisface，madebravetodoitbytheshelteringdarkness。

"Roger，"shewhispered，hertonguehaltingoverthefamiliarname。"I

thoughtthattheyhadkilledyou，andallforme，formyfoolishstubbornness。Canstforgiveme？"

"Forgive？"heasked，smilingtohimself。"Forgivebeinggivenanopportunitytofight？Therebenothingtoforgive，Joan，unlessitbethatIshouldaskforgivenessforprotectingtheesopoorly。"

"Donotsaythat，"shecommanded。"Neverwassuchbraveryorsuchswordsmanshipinalltheworldbefore；neversuchaman。"

Hedidnotanswer。Hismindwasachaosofconflictingthoughts。Thefeelofherhandsastheyhadlingeredmomentarily，andwithavaguecaressuponhischeek，andthepressureofherbodyassheleanedagainsthimsentthehotbloodcoursingthroughhisveins。Hewaspuzzled，forhehadnotdreamedthatfriendshipwassosweet。Thatshedidnotshrinkfromhisencirclingarmsshouldhavetoldhimmuch，butNormanofTornwasslowtorealizethatawomanmightlookuponhimwithlove。Norhadheathoughtofanyothersentimenttowardherthanthatoffriendandprotector。

Andthentherecametohimasinavisionanotherfairandbeautifulface——BertradedeMontfort’s——andNormanofTornwasstillmorepuzzled；forathearthewasclean，andloveofloyaltywasstrongwithinhim。Loveofwomenwasanewthingtohim，and，robbedashehadbeenallhisstarvedlifeoftheaffectionandkindlyfellowship，ofeithermenorwomen，itislittletobewonderedatthathewaseasilyimpressionableandresponsivetothefeelinghisstrongpersonalityhadawakenedintwoofEngland’sfairestdaughters。

Butwiththevisionofthatotherface，therecametohimafaintrealizationthatmayhapitwasastrongerpowerthaneitherfriendshiporfearwhichcausedthatlithe，warmbodytoclingsotightlytohim。Thattheresponsibilityforthecriticalstagetheiryoungacquaintancehadsoquicklyreachedwasnothishadneverforamomententeredhishead。Tohim，thefaultwasallhis；andperhapsitwasthisqualityofchivalrythatwasthefinestofthemanynoblecharacteristicsofhissterlingcharacter。Sohisnextwordsweretypicaloftheman；anddidJoandeTanylovehim，ordidshenot，shelearnedthatnighttorespectandtrusthimassherespectedandtrustedfewmenofheracquaintance。

"MyLady，"saidNormanofTorn，"wehavebeenthroughmuch，andweareaslittlechildreninadarkattic，andsoifIhavepresumeduponouracquaintance，"andheloweredhisarmfromabouthershoulder，"IaskyoutoforgiveitforIscarceknowwhattodo，fromweaknessandfromthepainoftheblowuponmyhead。"

JoandeTanydrewslowlyawayfromhim，andwithoutreply，tookhishandandledhimforwardthroughadark，coldcorridor。

"Wemustgocarefullynow，"shesaidatlast，"fortherebestairsnear。"

Heheldherhandpressedverytightlyinhis，tighterperhapsthanconditionsrequired，butsheletitliethereassheledhimforward，veryslowlydownaflightofroughstonesteps。

NormanofTornwonderedifshewereangrywithhimandthen，beingnewatlove，heblundered。

"JoandeTany，"hesaid。

"Yes，RogerdeConde；whatwouldyou？"

"Youbesilent，andIfearthatyoubeangrywithme。TellmethatyouforgivewhatIhavedone，anitoffendedyou。Ihavesofewfriends，"headdedsadly，"thatIcannotaffordtolosesuchasyou。"

"YouwillneverlosethefriendshipofJoandeTany，"sheanswered。"Youhavewonherrespectand——and——"Butshecouldnotsayitandsoshetrailedofflamely——"andundyinggratitude。"

ButNormanofTornknewthewordthatshewouldhavespokenhadhedaredtolether。Hedidnot，fortherewasalwaysthevisionofBertradedeMontfortbeforehim；andnowanothervisionarosethatwouldeffectuallyhavesealedhislipshadnottheother——hesawtheOutlawofTorndanglingbyhisneckfromawoodengibbet。

Before，hehadonlyfearedthatJoandeTanylovedhim，nowheknewit，andwhilehemarvelledthatsowondrousacreaturecouldfeelloveforhim，againheblamedhimself，andfeltsorrowforthemboth；forhedidnotreturnherlovenorcouldheimaginealovestrongenoughtosurvivetheknowledgethatitwaspossessedbytheDevilofTorn。

Presentlytheyreachedthebottomofthestairway，andJoandeTanyledhim，gropingly，acrosswhatseemed，fromtheirechoingfootsteps，alargechamber。Theairwaschillanddank，smellingofmold，andnorayoflightpenetratedthissubterraneanvault，andnosoundbrokethestillness。

"Thisbethecastle’scrypt，"whisperedJoan；"andtheydosaythatstrangehappeningsoccurhereinthestillwatchesofthenight，andthatwhenthecastlesleeps，thecastle’sdeadrisefromtheircoffinsandshaketheirdrybones。

"Sh！Whatwasthat？"asarustlingnoisebrokeupontheirearscloseupontheirright；andthentherecameadistinctmoan，andJoandeTanyfledtotherefugeofNormanofTorn’sarms。

"Thereisnothingtofear，Joan，"reassuredNormanofTorn。"Deadmenwieldnotswords，nordotheymove，ormoan。Thewind，Ithink，andratsareouronlycompanionshere。"

"Iamafraid，"shewhispered。"Ifyoucanmakealight，Iamsureyouwillfindanoldlamphereinthecrypt，andthenwillitbelessfearsome。AsachildIvisitedthiscastleoften，andinsearchofadventure，wepassedthroughthesecorridorsanhundredtimes，butalwaysbydayandwithlights。"

NormanofTorndidasshebid，andfindingthelamp，lightedit。Thechamberwasquiteemptysaveforthecoffinsintheirniches，andsomeeffigiesinmarblesetatintervalsaboutthewalls。

"Notsuchafearsomeplaceafterall，"hesaid，laughinglightly。

"Noplacewouldseemfearsomenow，"sheansweredsimply，"weretherealighttoshowmethatthebravefaceofRogerdeCondewerebymyside。"

"Hush，child，"repliedtheoutlaw。"Youknownotwhatyousay。Whenyouknowmebetter，youwillbesorryforyourwords，forRogerdeCondeisnotwhatyouthinkhim。Sosaynomoreofpraiseuntilwebeoutofthishole，andyousafeinyourfather’shalls。"

Thefrightofthenoisesinthedarkchamberhadbutservedtoagainbringthegirl’sfaceclosetohissothathefeltherhot，sweetbreathuponhischeek，andthusanotherlinkwasforgedtobindhimtoher。

Withtheaidofthelamp，theymademorerapidprogress，andinafewmoments，reachedalowdoorattheendofthearchedpassageway。

"Thisisthedoorwaywhichopensupontheravinebelowthecastle。Wehavepassedbeneaththewallsandthemoat。Whatmaywedonow，Roger，withouthorses？"

"Letusgetoutofthisplace，andasfarawayaspossibleunderthecoverofdarkness，andIdoubtnotImayfindawaytobringyoutoyourfather’scastle，"repliedNormanofTorn。

Puttingoutthelight，lestitshouldattractthenoticeofthewatchuponthecastlewalls，NormanofTornpushedopenthelittledoorandsteppedforthintothefreshnightair。

Theravinewassoovergrownwithtangledvinesandwildwoodthat，hadthereeverbeenapathway，itwasnowcompletelyobliterated；anditwaswithdifficultythatthemanforcedhiswaythroughtheentanglingcreepersandtendrils。Thegirlstumbledafterhimandtwicefellbeforetheyhadtakenascoreofsteps。

"IfearIamnotstrongenough，"shesaidfinally。"ThewayismuchmoredifficultthanIhadthought。"

SoNormanofTornliftedherinhisstrongarms，andstumbledonthroughthedarknessandtheshrubberydownthecenteroftheravine。Itrequiredthebetterpartofanhourtotraversethelittledistancetotheroadway；

andallthetimeherheadnestleduponhisshoulderandherhairbrushedhischeek。Oncewhensheliftedherheadtospeaktohim，hebenttowardher，andinthedarkness，bychance，hislipsbrushedhers。Hefeltherlittleformtrembleinhisarms，andafaintsighbreathedfromherlips。

Theywereuponthehighroadnow，buthedidnotputherdown。Amistwasbeforehiseyes，andhecouldhavecrushedhertohimandsmotheredthosewarmlipswithhisown。Slowly，hisfaceinclinedtowardhers，closerandcloserhisironmusclespressedhertohim，andthen，clearcutanddistinctbeforehiseyes，hesawthecorpseoftheOutlawofTornswingingbytheneckfromthearmofawoodengibbet，andbesideitkneltawomangownedinrichclothofgoldandmanyjewels。Herfacewasavertedandherarmswereoutstretchedtowardthedanglingformthatswungandtwistedfromthegrim，gauntarm。Herfigurewasrackedwithchokingsobsofhorror-strickengrief。Presentlyshestaggeredtoherfeetandturnedaway，buryingherfaceinherhands；buthesawherfeaturesforaninstantthen——thewomanwhoopenlyandalonemournedthedeadOutlawofTornwasBertradedeMontfort。

Slowlyhisarmsrelaxed，andgentlyandreverentlyheloweredJoandeTanytotheground。InthatinstantNormanofTornhadlearnedthedifferencebetweenfriendshipandlove，andloveandpassion。

Themoonwasshiningbrightlyuponthem，andthegirlturned，wide-eyedandwondering，towardhim。Shehadfeltthewildcallofloveandshecouldnotunderstandhisseemingcoldnessnow，forshehadseennovisionbeyondalifeofhappinesswithinthosestrongarms。

"Joan，"hesaid，"Iwouldbutnowhavewrongedthee。Forgiveme。ForgetwhathaspassedbetweenusuntilIcancometoyouinmyrightfulcolors，whenthespellofthemoonlightandadventurebenolongeruponus，andthen，"——hepaused——"andthenIshalltellyouwhoIbeandyoushallsayifyoustillcaretocallmefriend——nomorethanthatshallIask。"

HehadnotthehearttotellherthathelovedonlyBertradedeMontfort，butithadbeenathousandtimesbetterhadhedoneso。

Shewasabouttoreplywhenadozenarmedmensprangfromthesurroundingshadows，callinguponthemtosurrender。Themoonlightfallingupontheleaderrevealedagreatgiantofafellowwithanenormous，bristlingmustache——itwasShandy。

NormanofTornloweredhisraisedsword。

"ItisI，Shandy，"hesaid。"KeepastilltongueinthyheaduntilIspeakwiththeeapart。Waithere，MyLadyJoan；thesebefriends。"

DrawingShandytooneside，helearnedthatthefaithfulfellowhadbecomealarmedathischief’scontinuedabsence，andhadsetoutwithasmallpartytosearchforhim。TheyhadcomeupontheriderlessSirMortimergrazingbytheroadside，andashortdistancebeyond，haddiscoveredevidencesoftheconflictatthecross-roads。TheretheyhadfoundNormanofTorn’shelmet，confirmingtheirworstfears。Apeasantinanearbyhuthadtoldthemoftheencounter，andhadsetthemupontheroadtakenbytheEarlandhisprisoners。

"Andherewebe，MyLord，"concludedthegreatfellow。

"Howmanyareyou？"askedtheoutlaw。

"Fifty，alltold，withthosewholiefartherbackinthebushes。"

"Giveushorses，andlettwoofthemenridebehindus，"saidthechief。

"And，Shandy，letnottheladyknowthatsheridesthisnightwiththeOutlawofTorn。"

"Yes，MyLord。"

Theyweresoonmounted，andclatteringdowntheroad，backtowardthecastleofRicharddeTany。

JoandeTanylookedinsilentwonderuponthisgrimforcethatsprangoutoftheshadowsofthenighttodothebiddingofRogerdeConde，agentlemanofFrance。

TherewassomethingfamiliarinthegreatbulkofRedShandy；wherehadsheseenthatmightyframebefore？AndnowshelookedcloselyatthefigureofRogerdeConde。Yes，somewhereelsehadsheseenthesetwomentogether；butwhereandwhen？

Andthenthestrangenessofanotherincidentcametohermind。RogerdeCondespokenoEnglish，andyetshehadplainlyheardEnglishwordsuponthisman’slipsasheaddressedtheredgiant。

NormanofTornhadrecoveredhishelmetfromoneofhismenwhohadpickeditupatthecrossroads，andnowherodeinsilencewithloweredvisor，aswashiscustom。

Therewassomethingsinisternowinhisappearance，andasthemoonlighttouchedthehard，cruelfacesofthegrimandsilentmenwhorodebehindhim，alittleshuddercreptovertheframeofJoandeTany。

ShortlybeforedaylighttheyreachedthecastleofRicharddeTany，andagreatshoutwentupfromthewatchasNormanofTorncried：

"Open！OpenforMyLadyJoan。"

Togethertheyrodeintothecourtyard，whereallwasbustleandexcitement。Adozenvoicesaskedadozenquestionsonlytocryoutstillotherswithoutwaitingforreplies。

RicharddeTanywithhisfamilyandMarydeStutevillwerestillfullyclothed，havingnotlaindownduringthewholenight。TheyfairlyfelluponJoanandRogerdeCondeintheirjoyouswelcomeandrelief。

"Come，come，"saidtheBaron，"letusgowithin。Youmustbefairfamishedforgoodfoodanddrink。"

"Iwillride，MyLord，"repliedNormanofTorn。"Ihavealittlematterofbusinesswithmyfriend，theEarlofBuckingham。BusinesswhichIfearwillnotwait。"

JoandeTanylookedoninsilence。Nordidsheurgehimtoremain，asheraisedherhandtohislipsinfarewell。SoNormanofTornrodeoutofthecourtyard；andashismenfellinbehindhimunderthefirstraysofthedrawingday，thedaughterofDeTanywatchedthemthroughthegate，andagreatlightbrokeuponher，forwhatshesawwasthesameasshehadseenafewdayssincewhenshehadturnedinhersaddletowatchtheretreatingformsofthecut-throatsofTornastheyrodeonafterhaltingherfather’sparty。

CHAPTERXIV

Somehourslater，fiftymenfollowedNormanofTornonfootthroughtheravinebelowthecastlewhereJohndeFulm，EarlofBuckingham，hadhisheadquarters；whilenearlyathousandmorelurkedinthewoodsbeforethegrimpile。

Undercoverofthetangledshrubbery，theycrawledunseentothelittledoorthroughwhichJoandeTanyhadledhimthenightbefore。Followingthecorridorsandvaultsbeneaththecastle，theycametothestonestairway，andmountedtothepassagewhichledtothefalsepanelthathadgiventhetwofugitivesegress。

Slippingthespringlock，NormanofTornenteredtheapartmentfollowedcloselybyhishenchmen。Ontheywent，throughapartmentafterapartment，butnosignoftheEarlorhisservitorsrewardedtheirsearch，anditwassoonapparentthatthecastlewasdeserted。

Astheycameforthintothecourtyard，theydescriedanoldmanbaskinginthesun，uponabench。Thesightofthemnearlycausedtheoldfellowtodieoffright，fortoseefiftyarmedmenissuefromtheuntenantedhallswaswellreckonedtoblanchevenabravercheek。

WhenNormanofTornquestionedhim，helearnedthatDeFulmhadriddenoutearlyinthedayboundforDover，wherePrinceEdwardthenwas。Theoutlawknewitwouldbefutiletopursuehim，butyet，sofiercewashisangeragainstthisman，thatheorderedhisbandtomount，andspurringtotheirhead，hemarchedthroughMiddlesex，andcrossingtheThamesaboveLondon，enteredSurreylatethesameafternoon。

AstheyweregoingintocampthatnightinKent，midwaybetweenLondonandRochester，wordcametoNormanofTornthattheEarlofBuckingham，havingsenthisescortontoDover，hadstoppedtovisitthewifeofaroyalistbaron，whosehusbandwaswithPrinceEdward’sforces。

Thefellowwhogavethisinformationwasaservantinmylady’shouseholdwhoheldagrudgeagainsthismistressforsomewrongshehaddonehim。

When，therefore，hefoundthatthesegrimmenweresearchingforDeFulm，hesawawaytoberevengeduponhismistress。

"Howmanyswordsbethereatthecastle？"askedNormanofTorn。

"Scarceadozen，barringtheEarlofBuckingham，"repliedtheknave；"and，furthermore，therebeawaytoenter，whichImayshowyou，MyLord，sothatyoumay，unseen，reachtheapartmentwhereMyLadyandtheEarlbesupping。"

"Bringtenmen，besideyourself，Shandy，"commandedNormanofTorn。"Weshallpayalittlevisituponouramorousfriend，MyLord，theEarlofBuckingham。"

Halfanhour’sridebroughtthemwithinsightofthecastle。Dismounting，andleavingtheirhorseswithoneofthemen，NormanofTornadvancedonfootwithShandyandtheeightothers，closeinthewakeofthetraitorousservant。

Thefellowledthemtotherearofthecastle，where，amongthebrush，hehadhiddenarudeladder，which，whentilted，spannedthemoatandresteditsfartherenduponawindowledgesometenfeetabovetheground。

"Keepthefellowheretilllast，Shandy，"saidtheoutlaw，"tillallbein，an’iftherebeanysignsoftreachery，stickhimthroughthegizzard——

deaththusbeslowerandmorepainful。"

Sosaying，NormanofTorncreptboldlyacrosstheimprovisedbridge，anddisappearedwithinthewindowbeyond。Onebyonethebandofcut-throatspassedthroughthelittlewindow，untilallstoodwithinthecastlebesidetheirchief；Shandycominglastwiththeservant。

"Leadmequietly，knave，totheroomwhereMyLordsups，"saidNormanofTorn。"You，Shandy，placeyourmenwheretheycanpreventmybeinginterrupted。"

FollowingamomentortwoafterShandycameanotherfigurestealthilyacrosstheladderand，asNormanofTornandhisfollowersleftthelittleroom，thisfigurepushedquietlythroughthewindowandfollowedthegreatoutlawdowntheunlightedcorridor。

Amomentlater，MyLadyofLeybournlookedupfromherplateuponthegrimfigureofanarmoredknightstandinginthedoorwayofthegreatdininghall。

"MyLordEarl！"shecried。"Look！Behindyou。"

AndastheEarlofBuckinghamglancedbehindhim，heoverturnedthebenchuponwhichhesatinhisefforttogainhisfeet；forMyLordEarlofBuckinghamhadaguiltyconscience。

Thegrimfigureraisedarestraininghand，astheEarldrewhissword。

"Amoment，MyLord，"saidalowvoiceinperfectFrench。

"Whoareyou？"criedthelady。

"IbeanoldfriendofMyLord，here；butletmetellyoualittlestory。

"InagrimoldcastleinEssex，onlylastnight，agreatlordofEnglandheldbyforcethebeautifuldaughterofanoblehouseand，whenshespurnedhisadvances，hestruckherwithhisclenchedfistuponherfairface，andwithhisbrutehandschokedher。Andinthatcastlealsowasadespisedandhuntedoutlaw，withapriceuponhishead，forwhoseneckthehempennoosehasbeenyawningthesemanyyears。Anditwasthisvilepersonwhocameintimetosavetheyoungwomanfromthenobleflowerofknighthoodthatwouldhaveruinedheryounglife。

"Theoutlawwishedtokilltheknight，butmanymen-at-armscametothenoble’srescue，andsotheoutlawwasforcedtoflywiththegirllesthebeovercomebynumbers，andthegirlthusfallagainintothehandsofhertormentor。

"Butthiscrudeoutlawwasnotsatisfiedwithmerelyrescuingthegirl，hemustneedsmeteoutjusticetohernobleabductorandcollectinfullthetollofbloodwhichalonecanatonefortheinsultandviolencedoneher。

"MyLady，theyounggirlwasJoandeTany；thenoblewasMyLordtheEarlofBuckingham；andtheoutlawstandsbeforeyoutofulfillthedutyhehassworntodo。Engarde，MyLord！"

Theencounterwasshort，forNormanofTornhadcometokill，andhehadbeenlookingthroughahazeofbloodforhours——infacteverytimehehadthoughtofthosebrutalfingersuponthefairthroatofJoandeTanyandofthecruelblowthathadfallenuponherface。

Heshowednomercy，butbackedtheEarlrelentlesslyintoacorneroftheroom，andwhenhehadhimtherewherehecouldescapeinnodirection，hedrovehisbladesodeepthroughhisputridheartthatthepointburieditselfaninchintheoakpanelbeyond。

ClaudiaLeybournsatfrozenwithhorroratthesightshewaswitnessing，and，asNormanofTornwrenchedhisbladefromthedeadbodybeforehimandwipeditontherushesofthefloor，shegazedinawfulfascinationwhilehedrewhisdaggerandmadeamarkupontheforeheadofthedeadnobleman。

"OutlaworDevil，"saidasternvoicebehindthem，"RogerLeybournowesyouhisfriendshipforsavingthehonorofhishome。"

Bothturnedtodiscoveramail-cladfigurestandinginthedoorwaywhereNormanofTornhadfirstappeared。

"Roger！"shriekedClaudiaLeybourn，andswooned。

"Whobeyou？"continuedthemasterofLeybournaddressingtheoutlaw。

ForanswerNormanofTornpointedtotheforeheadofthedeadEarlofBuckingham，andthereRogerLeybournsaw，inlettersofblood，NT。

TheBaronadvancedwithoutstretchedhand。

"Ioweyoumuch。Youhavesavedmypoor，sillywifefromthisbeast，andJoandeTanyismycousin，soIamdoublybeholdentoyou，NormanofTorn。"

Theoutlawpretendedthathedidnotseethehand。

"Youowemenothing，SirRoger，thatmaynotbepaidbyagoodsupper。I

haveeatenbutonceinforty-eighthours。"

TheoutlawnowcalledtoShandyandhismen，tellingthemtoremainonwatch，buttointerferewithnoonewithinthecastle。

HethensatatthetablewithRogerLeybournandhislady，whohadrecoveredfromherswoon，andbehindthemontherushesofthefloorlaythebodyofDeFulminalittlepoolofblood。

LeybourntoldthemthathehadheardthatDeFulmwasathishome，andhadhastenedback；havingbeeninhidingaboutthecastleforhalfanhourbeforethearrivalofNormanofTorn，awaitinganopportunitytoenterunobservedbytheservants。ItwashewhohadfollowedacrosstheladderafterShandy。

TheoutlawspentthenightatthecastleofRogerLeybourn；forthefirsttimewithinhismemoryawelcomedguestunderhistruenameatthehouseofagentleman。

Thefollowingmorning，hebadehishostgoodbye，andreturningtohiscampstartedonhishomewardmarchtowardTorn。

Nearmidday，astheywereapproachingtheThamesneartheenvironsofLondon，theysawagreatconcourseofpeoplehootingandjeeringatasmallpartyofgentlemenandgentlewomen。

Someofthecrowdwerearmed，andfromveryforceofnumberswerewaxingbravetolayviolenthandsupontheparty。Mudandrocksandrottenvegetableswerebeinghurledatthelittlecavalcade，manyofthembarelymissingthewomenoftheparty。

NormanofTornwaitedtoasknoquestions，butspurringintothethickofitlaidrightandleftofhimwiththeflatofhissword，andhismen，catchingthecontagionofit，swarmedafterhimuntilthewholepackofattackingruffiansweredrivenintotheThames。

Andthen，withoutabackwardglanceatthepartyhehadrescued，hecontinuedonhismarchtowardthenorth。

Thelittlepartysatupontheirhorseslookinginwonderaftertheretreatingfiguresoftheirdeliverers。Thenoneoftheladiesturnedtoaknightathersidewithawordofcommandandanimperiousgesturetowardthefastdisappearingcompany。He，thusaddressed，putspurstohishorse，androdeatarapidgallopaftertheoutlaw’stroop。InafewmomentshehadovertakenthemandreinedupbesideNormanofTorn。

"Hold，SirKnight，"criedthegentleman，"theQueenwouldthankyouinpersonforyourbravedefenceofher。"

Everkeentoseethehumorofasituation，NormanofTornwheeledhishorseandrodebackwiththeQueen’smessenger。

AshefacedHerMajesty，theOutlawofTornbentlowoverhispommel。

"Youbeastrangeknightthatthinkssolightlyonsavingaqueen’slifethatyourideonwithoutturningyourhead，asthoughyouhadbutdrivenapackofcursfromannoyingastraycat，"saidtheQueen。

"Idrewintheserviceofawoman，YourMajesty，notintheserviceofaqueen。"

"Whatnow！Wouldstevenbelittletheactwhichweallwitnessed？TheKing，myhusband，shallrewardthee，SirKnight，ifyoubuttellmeyourname。"

"IfItoldmyname，methinkstheKingwouldbemoreapttohangme，"

laughedtheoutlaw。"IbeNormanofTorn。"

Theentirepartylookedwithstartledastonishmentuponhim，fornoneofthemhadeverseenthisboldraiderwhomallthenobilityandgentryofEnglandfearedandhated。

"Forlesseractsthanthatwhichthouhastjustperformed，theKinghaspardonedmenbefore，"repliedHerMajesty。"Butraiseyourvisor，Iwouldlookuponthefaceofsonotoriousacriminalwhocanyetbeagentlemanandaloyalprotectorofhisqueen。"

"Theywhohavelookeduponmyface，otherthanmyfriends，"repliedNormanofTornquietly，"haveneverlivedtotellwhattheysawbeneaththisvisor，andasforyou，Madame，IhavelearnedwithintheyeartofearitmightmeanunhappinesstoyoutoseethevisoroftheDevilofTornliftedfromhisface。"Withoutanotherwordhewheeledandgallopedbacktohislittlearmy。

"Thepuppy，theinsolentpuppy，"criedEleanorofEngland，inarage。

AndsotheOutlawofTornandhismothermetandpartedafteraperiodoftwentyyears。

Twodayslater，NormanofTorndirectedRedShandytoleadtheforcesofTornfromtheirEssexcampbacktoDerby。Thenumerousraidingpartieswhichhadbeenconstantlyupontheroadduringthedaystheyhadspentinthisrichdistricthadloadedtheextrasumpterbeastswithrichandvaluablebootyandthemen，forthetimesatiatedwithfightingandloot，turnedtheirfacestowardTornwithevidentsatisfaction。

Theoutlawwasspeakingtohiscaptainsincouncil；athissidetheoldmanofTorn。

"Ridebyeasystages，Shandy，andIwillovertakeyoubytomorrowmorning。

IbutrideforamomenttothecastleofDeTanyonanerrand，and，asI

shallstoptherebutafewmoments，Ishallsurelyjoinyoutomorrow。"

"Donotforget，MyLord，"saidEdwildtheSerf，agreatyellow-hairedSaxongiant，"thattherebeapartyoftheKing’stroopscampedclosebytheroadwhichbranchestoTany。"

"Ishallgivethemplentyofroom，"repliedNormanofTorn。"Myneckitchethnottobestretched，"andhelaughedandmounted。

Fiveminutesafterhehadcantereddowntheroadfromcamp，SpizotheSpaniard，sneakinghishorseunseenintothesurroundingforest，mountedandspurredrapidlyafterhim。Thecamp，inthethroesofpackingrefractory，halfbrokensumpteranimals，andsaddlingtheirownwildmounts，didnotnoticehisdeparture。Onlythelittlegrim，gray，oldmanknewthathehadgone，orwhy，orwhither。

Thatafternoon，asRogerdeCondewasadmittedtothecastleofRicharddeTanyandescortedtoalittleroomwhereheawaitedthecomingoftheLadyJoan，aswarthymessengerhandedalettertothecaptainoftheKing’ssoldierscampedafewmilessouthofTany。

Theofficertoreopenthesealasthemessengerturnedandspurredbackinthedirectionfromwhichhehadcome。

Andthiswaswhatheread：

NormanofTornisnowatthecastleofTany，withoutescort。

Instantlythecall"toarms"and"mount"soundedthroughthecampand，infiveminutes，ahundredmercenariesgallopedrapidlytowardthecastleofRicharddeTany，inthevisionsoftheircaptainagreatrewardandhonorandprefermentforthecaptureofthemightyoutlawwhowasnowalmostwithinhisclutches。

ThreeroadsmeetatTany；onefromthesouthalongwhichtheKing’ssoldierswerenowriding；onefromthewestwhichhadguidedNormanofTornfromhiscamptothecastle；andathirdwhichrannorthwestthroughCambridgeandHuntingdontowardDerby。

Allunconsciousoftherapidlyapproachingfoes，NormanofTornwaitedcomposedlyintheanteroomforJoandeTany。

Presentlysheentered，clothedintheclinginghousegarmentoftheperiod；

abeautifulvision，mademorebeautifulbythesuppressedexcitementwhichcausedthebloodtosurgebeneaththevelvetofhercheek，andherbreaststoriseandfallaboveherfastbeatingheart。

Shelethimtakeherfingersinhisandraisethemtohislips，andthentheystoodlookingintoeachother’seyesinsilenceforalongmoment。

"IdonotknowhowtotellyouwhatIhavecometotell，"hesaidsadly。

"Ihavenotmeanttodeceiveyoutoyourharm，butthetemptationtobewithyouandthosewhomyoutypifymustbemyexcuse。I——"Hepaused。

ItwaseasytotellherthathewastheOutlawofTorn，butifshelovedhim，ashefeared，howwashetotellherthathelovedonlyBertradedeMontfort？

"Youneedtellmenothing，"interruptedJoandeTany。"Ihaveguessedwhatyouwouldtellme，NormanofTorn。’Thespellofmoonlightandadventureisnolongeruponus’——thoseareyourownwords，andstillIamgladtocallyoufriend。"

ThelittleemphasissheputuponthelastwordbespokethefinalityofherdecisionthattheOutlawofTorncouldbenomorethanfriendtoher。

"Itisbest，"hereplied，relievedthat，ashethought，shefeltnoloveforhimnowthatsheknewhimforwhathereallywas。"Nothinggoodcouldcometosuchasyou，Joan，iftheDevilofTorncouldclaimmoreofyouthanfriendship；andsoIthinkthatforyourpeaceofmindandformyown，wewillletitbeasthoughyouhadneverknownme。Ithankyouthatyouhavenotbeenangrywithme。RemembermeonlytothinkthatinthehillsofDerby，aswordisatyourservice，withoutrewardandwithoutprice。

Shouldyoueverneedit，Joan，tellmethatyouwillsendforme——wiltpromisemethat，Joan？"

"Ipromise，NormanofTorn。"

"Farewell，"hesaid，andasheagainkissedherhandhebenthiskneetothegroundinreverence。Thenherosetogo，pressingalittlepacketintoherpalm。Theireyesmet，andthemansaw，inthatbriefinstant，deepintheazuredepthsofthegirl’sthatwhichtumbledthestructureofhisnew-foundcomplacencyabouthisears。

AsherodeoutintothebrightsunlightupontheroadwhichlednorthwesttowardDerby，NormanofTornbowedhisheadinsorrow，forherealizedtwothings。Onewasthatthegirlhehadleftstilllovedhim，andthatsomeday，mayhaptomorrow，shewouldsufferbecauseshehadsenthimaway；andtheotherwasthathedidnotloveher，thathisheartwaslockedinthefairbreastofBertradedeMontfort。

Hefelthimselfabeastthathehadallowedhislonelinessandtheachingsorrowofhisstarved，emptyhearttoleadhimintothisgirl’slife。Thathehadbeennewtowomenandnewerstilltolovedidnotpermithimtoexcusehimself，andahundredtimeshecursedhisfollyandstupidity，andwhathethoughtwasfickleness。

Buttheunhappyaffairhadtaughthimonethingforcertain：toknowwithoutquestionwhatlovewas，andthatthememoryofBertradedeMontfort’slipswouldalwaysbemoretohimthanalltheallurementspossessedbythebalanceofthewomenoftheworld，nomatterhowcharming，orhowbeautiful。

Anotherthing，apainfulthinghehadlearnedfromit，too，thattheattitudeofJoandeTany，daughterofanoldandnoblehouse，wasbuttheattitudewhichtheOutlawofTornmustexpectfromanygoodwomanofherclass；whathemustexpectfromBertradedeMontfortwhenshelearnedthatRogerdeCondewasNormanofTorn。

TheoutlawhadscarcepassedoutofsightupontheroadtoDerbyerethegirl，whostillstoodinanembrasureofthesouthtower，gazingwithstrangelydrawn，sadfaceuptheroadwhichhadswallowedhim，sawabodyofsoldiersgallopingrapidlytowardTanyfromthesouth。

TheKing’sbannerwavedabovetheirheads，andintuitively，JoandeTanyknewforwhomtheysoughtatherfather’scastle。Quicklyshehastenedtotheouterbarbicanthatitmightbeshewhoansweredtheirhailratherthanoneofthemen-at-armsonwatchthere。

ShehadscarcelyreachedtherampartsoftheoutergateeretheKing’smendrewreinbeforethecastle。

Inreplytotheirhail，JoandeTanyaskedtheirmission。

"Weseektheoutlaw，NormanofTorn，whohidesnowwithinthiscastle，"

repliedtheofficer。

"Therebenooutlawhere，"repliedthegirl，"but，ifyouwish，youmayenterwithhalfadozenmenandsearchthecastle。"

Thistheofficerdidand，whenhehadassuredhimselfthatNormanofTornwasnotwithin，anhourhadpassed，andJoandeTanyfeltcertainthattheOutlawofTornwastoofaraheadtobecaughtbytheKing’smen；soshesaid：

"TherewasoneherejustbeforeyoucamewhocalledhimselfthoughbyanothernamethanNormanofTorn。Possiblyitisheyeseek。"

"Whichwayrodehe？"criedtheofficer。

"Straighttowardthewestbythemiddleroad，"liedJoandeTany。And，astheofficerhurriedfromthecastleand，withhismenathisback，gallopedfuriouslyawaytowardthewest，thegirlsankdownuponabench，pressingherlittlehandstoherthrobbingtemples。

ThensheopenedthepacketwhichNormanofTornhadhandedher，andwithinfoundtwoothers。Inoneofthesewasabeautifuljeweledlocket，andontheoutsideweretheinitialsJT，andontheinsidetheinitialsNT；intheotherwasagoldenhairornamentsetwithpreciousstones，andaboutitwaswoundastrandofherownsilkentresses。

Shelookedlongatthelittletrinketsandthen，pressingthemagainstherlips，shethrewherselffacedownuponanoakenbench，herlitheyoungformrackedwithsobs。

Shewasindeedbutalittlegirlchainedbytheinexorablebondsofcastetoafalseideal。Birthandstationspelledhonortoher，andhonor，tothedaughterofanEnglishnoble，wasamightierforceeventhanlove。

ThatNormanofTornwasanoutlawshemighthaveforgiven，butthathewas，accordingtoreport，alowfellowofnobirthplacedanimpassablebarrierbetweenthem。

Forhoursthegirllaysobbinguponthebench，whilstwithinherragedthemightybattleoftheheartagainstthehead。

Thushermotherfoundher，andkneelingbesideher，andwithherarmsaboutthegirl’sneck，triedtosootheherandtolearnthecauseofhersorrow。

Finallyitcame，pouredfromthefloodgatesofasorrowingheart；thatwaveofbittermiseryandhopelessnesswhichnotevenamother’slovecouldcheck。

"Joan，mydeardaughter，"criedLadydeTany，"Isorrowwiththeethatthylovehasbeencastuponsobleakandimpossibleashore。Butitbebetterthatthouhastlearntthetruthereitweretoolate；for，takemyworduponit，Joan，thebitterhumiliationsuchanalliancemustneedshavebroughtupontheeandthyfather’shousewouldsoonhavecooledthylove；

norcouldhishavesurvivedthesneersandaffrontseventhemenialswouldhaveputuponhim。"

"Oh，mother，butIlovehimso，"moanedthegirl。"Ididnotknowhowmuchuntilhehadgone，andtheKing’sofficerhadcometosearchforhim，andthenthethoughtthatallthepowerofagreatthroneandthemightiesthousesofanentirekingdomwereturnedinhatredagainsthimraisedthehotbloodofangerwithinmeandtheknowledgeofmylovesurgedthroughallmybeing。Mother，thoucanstnotknowthehonor，andthebravery，andthechivalryofthemanasIdo。NotsinceArthurofSilureskepthisroundtablehathriddenforthuponEnglishsoilsotrueaknightasNormanmanofTorn。

"Couldstthoubuthaveseenhimfight，mymother，andwitnessedthehonorofhistreatmentofthydaughter，andheardthetoneofdignifiedrespectinwhichhespokeofwomenthouwouldsthavelovedhim，too，andfeltthatoutlawthoughhebe，heisstillmoreagentlemanthannine-tenthsthenoblesofEngland。"

"Buthisbirth，mydaughter！"arguedtheLadydeTany。"Someevensaythatthegallmarksofhisbrasscollarstillshowethuponhisneck，andothersthatheknowethnothimselfthenameofhisownfather，norhadheanymother。"

Ah，butthiswasthemightyargument！Naughtcouldthegirlsaytojustifysoheinousacrimeaslowbirth。Whatamandidinthoseroughcrueldaysmightbeforgottenandforgivenbutthesinsofhismotherorhisgrandfatherinnotbeingofnobleblood，nomatterhowsoeverwickedlyattained，hemightneverovercomeorlivedown。

Tornbyconflictingemotions，thepoorgirldraggedherselftoherownapartmentandthereuponarestless，sleeplesscouch，besetbywild，impossiblehopes，andvain，torturingregrets，shefoughtoutthelong，bitternight；untiltowardmorningshesolvedtheproblemofhermiseryintheonlywaythatseemedpossibletoherpoor，tired，bleeding，littleheart。Whentherisingsunshonethroughthenarrowwindow，itfoundJoandeTanyatpeacewithallabouther；thecarvedgoldenhiltofthetoythathadhungathergirdleprotrudedfromherbreast，andathinlineofcrimsonranacrossthesnowyskintoalittlepooluponthesheetbeneathher。

Andsothecruelhandofamightyrevengehadreachedouttocrushanotherinnocentvictim。