In the end the tinker fell sound asleep while in the act of trying to get a tankard to his lips. Then the stranger deftly opened the snoring man’s pouch, took out the warrant, read it, and put it in his own wallet. Calling mine host to him, he winked at him with a half smile and told him that the tinker would pay the whole score when he awoke. Thus was Master Middle left in the lurch “for the great shot to pay.” Nathless, the stranger seemed in no great hurry. He had the whim to stay awhile and see what the droll tinker might do when he awoke. So he hid behind a window shutter, on the outside, and awaited events. Presently the tinker came to himself with a prodigious yawn, and reached at once for another drink. “What were you saying, friend, about the best plan (ya-a-a-ah!) for catching this fellow?--Hello!--where’s the man gone?” He had looked around and saw no one with him at the table. “Host! host!” he shouted, “where is that fellow who was to pay my reckoning?” “I know not,” answered the landlord sharply. “Mayhap he left the money in your purse.” “No he didn’t!” roared Middle, looking therein. “Help! Help! I’ve been robbed! Look you, host, you are liable to arrest for high treason! I am here upon the King’s business, as I told you earlier in the day. And yet while I did rest under your roof, thinking you were an honest man (hic!) and one loving of the King, my pouch has been opened and many matters of state taken from it.” “Cease your bellowing!” said the landlord. “What did you lose?” “Oh, many weighty matters, I do assure you. I had with me, item, a warrant, granted under the hand of my lord High Sheriff of Nottingham, and sealed with the Kings’s own seal, for the capture (hic!)--and arrest--and overcoming of a notorious rascal, one Robin Hood of Barnesdale. Item, one crust of bread. Item, one lump (hic!) of solder. Item, three pieces of twine. Item, six single keys (hic!), useful withal. Item, twelve silver pennies, the which I earned this week (hic!) in fair labor. Item--” “Have done with your items!” said the host. “And I marvel greatly to hear you speak in such fashion of your friend, Robin Hood of Barnesdale. For was he not with you in all good-fellowship?” “Wh-a-at? _That_ Robin Hood?” gasped Middle with staring eyes. “Why did you not tell me?” “Faith, _I_ saw no need o’ telling you! Did you not tell me the first time you were here to-day, that I need not be surprised if you came back with no less person than Robin Hood himself?” “Jesu give me pardon!” moaned the tinker. “I see it all now. He got me to drinking, and then took my warrant, and my pennies, and my crust--” “Yes, yes,” interrupted the host. “I know all about that. But pay me the score for both of you.” “But I have no money, gossip. Let me go after that vile bag-o’-bones, and I’ll soon get it out of him.” “Not so,” replied the other. “If I waited for you to collect from Robin Hood, I would soon close up shop.” “What is the account?” asked Middle.