His assailants very deliberately proceeded to rifle the inanimate body, when one of them, perceiving the silver badge, exclaimed, with an oath, "One of the rampant Neviles! This cock at least shall crow no more." And laying the young man's head across his lap, while he stretched back the throat with one hand, with the other he drew forth a long sharp knife, like those used by huntsmen in despatching the hart.

Suddenly, and in the very moment when the blade was about to inflict the fatal gash, his hand was forcibly arrested, and a man, who had silently and unnoticed joined the ruffians, said in a stern whisper, "Rise and depart from thy brotherhood forever.

We admit no murderer." The ruffian looked up in bewilderment.

"Robin--captain--thou here!" he said falteringly.
"I must needs be everywhere, I see, if I would keep such fellows as thou and these from the gallows.

What is this ?--a silver arrow--the young archer--Um." "A Nevile!" growled the would-be murderer.
"And for that very reason his life should be safe.