Oh, I
will capture him, if ever I come up with him. The serving-man cutteth
not this silken string nor breaketh these arrows, I warrant thee."
And, clad in his new raiment, Walter Skinner sat back in his chair and
gazed pompously around.
The innkeeper listened, and, supper being over, he sought Elfric, to
whom he related what had passed. "I would not that a hair of the young
son of De Aldithely should be harmed," he said. "And what I dare not
do, that thou must perform."
"And what is that?" asked Elfric.
"Thou must fray his bow-string so it will not be true, and thou must
injure his arrows likewise."
"Right willingly will I do so," promised Elfric. "If he hit any mark he
aim at when I am done with the bow and arrows, then am I as great a
knave as he. And the damage shall be so small that he may not see it
neither."
CHAPTER XIV
Although there were those who had looked upon Hugo and Humphrey
curiously in the streets of Lincoln, there were none sufficiently
interested to observe what direction they took after they had left the
town. And none saw them leave the road and betake themselves to the
fens as safer for their journey.
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