"As it stands, not one farthing shall you have with my free will, and when I see my brother, the Socman of Minstead, he will raise hue and cry from vill to vill, from hundred to hundred, until you are taken as a common robber and a scourge to the country." The outlaw sank his club.

"The Socman's brother!" he gasped.

"Now, by the keys of Peter! I had rather that hand withered and tongue was palsied ere I had struck or miscalled you.

If you are the Socman's brother you are one of the right side, I warrant, for all your clerkly dress." "His brother I am," said Alleyne.

"But if I were not, is that reason why you should molest me on the king's ground ?" "I give not the pip of an apple for king or for noble," cried the serf passionately.