Then of his warrant, and of the fourscore angels he was to gain for serving it upon Robin Hood.

He thrust his hand into his pouch, but not a scrap nor a farthing was there.

Then he sprang to his feet in a rage.
"Ho, landlord!" cried he, "whither hath that knave gone that was with me but now ?" "What knave meaneth Your Worship ?" quoth the landlord, calling the Tinker Worship to soothe him, as a man would pour oil upon angry water.
"I saw no knave with Your Worship, for I swear no man would dare call that man knave so nigh to Sherwood Forest.

A right stout yeoman I saw with Your Worship, but I thought that Your Worship knew him, for few there be about here that pass him by and know him not." "Now, how should I, that ne'er have squealed in your sty, know all the swine therein?
Who was he, then, an thou knowest him so well ?" "Why, yon same is a right stout fellow whom men hereabouts do call Robin Hood, which same--" "Now, by'r Lady!" cried the Tinker hastily, and in a deep voice like an angry bull, "thou didst see me come into thine inn, I, a staunch, honest craftsman, and never told me who my company was, well knowing thine own self who he was.

Now, I have a right round piece of a mind to crack thy knave's pate for thee!" Then he took up his cudgel and looked at the landlord as though he would smite him where he stood.
"Nay," cried the host, throwing up his elbow, for he feared the blow, "how knew I that thou knewest him not ?" "Well and truly thankful mayst thou be," quoth the Tinker, "that I be a patient man and so do spare thy bald crown, else wouldst thou ne'er cheat customer again.