Cnut at once sent off swift-footed messengers to carry out Cuthbert’s orders, and on the following day the whole of the band were again assembled in the woods.  Just as Cuthbert was setting them in motion a distant blast of a horn was heard.

“It is,” Cuthbert exclaimed, “the note calling for a parley.  Do you, Cnut, go forward, and see what is demanded.  It is probably a messenger from Sir Rudolph.”

After half an hour’s absence Cnut returned, bringing with him a pursuivant or herald.  The latter advanced at once toward Cuthbert, who, now in his full knightly armor, was evidently the leader of the party.

“I bear to you, Sir Cuthbert, falsely calling yourself Earl of Evesham, a message from Sir Rudolph.  He bids me tell you that the traitress, Dame Editha, your mother, is in his hands, and that she has been found guilty of aiding and abetting you in your war against Prince John, the regent of this kingdom.  For that offense she has been condemned to die.”

Here he was interrupted by a cry of rage which broke from the assembled foresters.  Continuing unmoved, he said: 

“Sir Rudolph, being unwilling to take the life of a woman, however justly forfeited by the law, commands me to say that if you will deliver yourself up to him by to-morrow at twelve the Dame Editha shall be allowed to go free.  But that if by the time the dial points to noon you have not delivered yourself up, he will hang her over the battlements of the castle.”

Cuthbert was very pale, and he waved his hand to restrain the fury which animated the outlaws.

“This man,” he said to them, “is a herald, and, as such, is protected by all the laws of chivalry.  Whatsoever his message, it is none of his.  He is merely the mouthpiece of him who sent him.”  Then, turning to the herald, he said, “Tell the false knight, your master, on my part, that he is a foul ruffian, perjured to all the vows of knighthood; that this act of visiting upon a woman the enmity he bears her son will bring upon him the execration of all men; and that the offer which he makes me is as foul and villainous as himself.  Nevertheless, knowing his character, and believing that he is capable of keeping his word, tell him that by to-morrow at noon I will be there; that the lady, my mother, is to leave the castle gates as I enter them; and that though by his foul device he may encompass my death, yet that the curse of every good man will light upon him, that he will be shunned as the dog he is, and that assuredly Heaven will not suffer that deeds so foul should bring with them the prize he seeks to gain.”

The herald bowed, and, escorted by two archers to the edge of the forest, returned to Evesham Castle.