Then the King laughingly bade him tell his tale, whereupon he told how Robin Hood had aided Sir Richard of the Lea with money that he had borrowed from the Bishop of Hereford.  Again and again the King and those present roared with laughter, while the poor Bishop waxed cherry red in the face with vexation, for the matter was a sore thing with him.  When Sir Henry of the Lea was done, others of those present, seeing how the King enjoyed this merry tale, told other tales concerning Robin and his merry men.

“By the hilt of my sword,” said stout King Richard, “this is as bold and merry a knave as ever I heard tell of.  Marry, I must take this matter in hand and do what thou couldst not do, Sheriff, to wit, clear the forest of him and his band.”

That night the King sat in the place that was set apart for his lodging while in Nottingham Town.  With him were young Sir Henry of the Lea and two other knights and three barons of Nottinghamshire; but the King’s mind still dwelled upon Robin Hood.  “Now,” quoth he, “I would freely give a hundred pounds to meet this roguish fellow, Robin Hood, and to see somewhat of his doings in Sherwood Forest.”

Then up spake Sir Hubert of gingham, laughing:  “If Your Majesty hath such a desire upon you it is not so hard to satisfy.  If Your Majesty is willing to lose one hundred pounds, I will engage to cause you not only to meet this fellow, but to feast with him in Sherwood.”

“Marry, Sir Hubert,” quoth the King, “this pleaseth me well.  But how wilt thou cause me to meet Robin Hood?”

“Why, thus,” said Sir Hubert, “let Your Majesty and us here present put on the robes of seven of the Order of Black Friars, and let Your Majesty hang a purse of one hundred pounds beneath your gown; then let us undertake to ride from here to Mansfield Town tomorrow, and, without I am much mistaken, we will both meet with Robin Hood and dine with him before the day be passed.”

“I like thy plan, Sir Hubert,” quoth the King merrily, “and tomorrow we will try it and see whether there be virtue in it.”

So it happened that when early the next morning the Sheriff came to where his liege lord was abiding, to pay his duty to him, the King told him what they had talked of the night before, and what merry adventure they were set upon undertaking that morning.  But when the Sheriff heard this he smote his forehead with his fist.  “Alas!” said he, “what evil counsel is this that hath been given thee!  O my gracious lord and King, you know not what you do!  This villain that you thus go to seek hath no reverence either for king or king’s laws.”

“But did I not hear aright when I was told that this Robin Hood hath shed no blood since he was outlawed, saving only that of that vile Guy of Gisbourne, for whose death all honest men should thank him?”

“Yea, Your Majesty,” said the Sheriff, “you have heard aright.  Nevertheless—­”

“Then,” quoth the King, breaking in on the Sheriffs speech, “what have I to fear in meeting him, having done him no harm?  Truly, there is no danger in this.  But mayhap thou wilt go with us, Sir Sheriff.”