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her presence here will be discovered. What think you of doing in the

meantime?"

"I am thinking," Cuthbert said, "of going east. No news has been obtained

of our lord the king save that he is a prisoner in the hands of the

emperor; but where confined, or how, we know not. It is my intent to

travel to the Tyrol, and to trace his steps from the time that he was

captured. Then, when I obtain knowledge of the place where he is kept, I

will return, and consult upon the best steps to be taken. My presence in

England is now useless. Did the barons raise the standard of King Richard

against the prince, I should at once return and join them. But without

land or vassals, I can do nothing here, and shall be indeed like a hunted

hare, for I know that the false earl will move heaven and earth to

capture me."

Sir Baldwin approved of the resolution; but recommended Cuthbert to take

every precaution not to fall himself into the hands of the emperor;

"for," he said, "if we cannot discover the prison of King Richard, I fear

that it would be hopeless indeed ever to attempt to find that in which a

simple knight is confined."

CHAPTER XXV.

IN SEARCH OF THE KING.

The following day, with many thanks Cuthbert started from the castle, and

in the first place visited the convent, and told Lady Margaret that she

would be fetched in a few days by Sir Baldwin and his wife. He took a

tender adieu of her, not without many forebodings and tears upon her

part; but promising blithely that he would return and lead her back in

triumph to her castle, he bade adieu and rode for London.

He had attired himself as a merchant, and took up his abode at a hostelry

near Cheapside. Here he remained quietly for some days, and, mixing among

the people, learnt that in London as elsewhere the rapacity of Prince

John had rendered him hateful to the people, and that they would gladly

embrace any opportunity of freeing themselves from his yoke. He was

preparing to leave for France, when the news came to him that Prince John

had summoned all the barons faithful to him to meet him near London, and

had recalled all his mercenaries from different parts of the country, and

was gathering a large army; also, that the barons faithful to King

Richard, alarmed by the prospect, had raised the royal standard, and that

true men were hurrying to their support. This entirely destroyed the

plans that he had formed. Taking horse again, and avoiding the main road,

by which he might meet the hostile barons on their way to London, he

journeyed down to Nottingham. Thence riding boldly into the forest, he

sought the outlaws, and was not long ere he found them. At his request he

was at once taken before their leader, a man of great renown both for

courage and bowmanship, one Robin Hood. This bold outlaw had long held at

defiance the Sheriff of Nottingham, and had routed him and all bodies of

troops who had been sent against him. With him Cuthbert found many of his

own men; and upon hearing that the royal standard had been raised, Robin

Hood at once agreed to march with all his men to join the royal force.

Messengers were despatched to summon the rest of the forest band from

their hiding places, and a week later Cuthbert, accompanied by Robin Hood

and 300 archers, set out for the rendezvous. When they arrived there they

found that Sir Baldwin had already joined with his retainers, and was by

him most warmly received, and introduced to the other barons in the camp,

by whom Cuthbert was welcomed as a brother. The news that Prince John's

army was approaching was brought in, a fortnight after Cuthbert had

joined the camp, and the army in good order moved out to meet the enemy.

The forces were about equal. The battle began by a discharge of arrows;

but Robin Hood and his men shot so true and fast that they greatly

discomfited the enemy; and King John's mercenaries having but little

stomach for the fight, and knowing how unpopular they were in England,

and that if defeated small mercy was likely to be shown to them, refused

to advance against the ranks of the loyal barons, and falling back

declined to join in the fray. Seeing their numbers so weakened by this

defection, the barons on the prince's side hesitated, and surrounding the

prince advised him to make terms with the barons while there was yet

time. Prince John saw that the present was not a favourable time for him,

and concealing his fury under a mask of courtesy, he at once acceded to

the advice of his followers, and despatched a messenger to the barons

with an inquiry as to what they wanted of him. A council was held, and it

was determined to demand the dismissal of the mercenaries and their

despatch back to their own country; also that John would govern only as

his brother's representative; that the laws of the country should be

respected; that no taxes should be raised without the assent of the

barons; that all men who had taken up arms against his authority should

be held free; and that the barons on Prince John's side should return

peaceably home and disband their forces. Seeing, under the circumstances,

that there was no way before him but to yield to these demands, Prince

John accepted the terms. The mercenaries were ordered to march direct to

London, and orders were given that ships should be at once prepared to

take them across to Normandy, and the barons marched for their homes.

Satisfied, now that the mercenaries were gone, that they could

henceforth hold their ground against Prince John, the royal barons also

broke up their forces. Robin Hood with his foresters returned to

Sherwood; and Cuthbert, bidding adieu to Sir Baldwin, rode back to

London, determined to carry out the plan which he had formed. He was the

more strengthened in this resolution, inasmuch as in the royal camp he

had met a friend from whom he parted last in the Holy Land. This was

Blondel, the minstrel of King Richard, whose songs and joyous music had

often lightened the evening after days of fighting and toil in

Palestine. To him Cuthbert confided his intention, and the minstrel

instantly offered to accompany him.

"I shall," he said, "be of assistance to you. Minstrels are like heralds.

They are of no nationality, and can pass free where a man at arms would

be closely watched and hindered. Moreover, it may be that I might aid you

greatly in discovering the prison of the king. So great is the secrecy

with which this has been surrounded, that I question if any inquiries you

could make would enable you to trace him. My voice, however, can

penetrate into places where we cannot enter. I will take with me my lute,

and as we journey I will sing outside the walls of each prison we come to

one of the songs which I sang in Palestine. King Richard is himself a

singer and knows my songs as well as myself. If I sing a verse of some

song which I wrote there and which, therefore, would be known only to

him, if he hears it he may follow with the next verse, and so enable us

to know of his hiding place."

Cuthbert at once saw the advantages which such companionship would bring

him, and joyfully accepted the minstrel's offer, agreeing himself to go

as serving man to Blondel. The latter accompanied him to London. Here

their preparations were soon made, and taking ship in a merchantman bound

for the Netherlands, they started without delay upon their adventure.

The minstrels and troubadours were at that time a privileged race in

Europe, belonging generally to the south of France, although produced in

all lands. They travelled over Europe singing the lays which they

themselves had composed, and were treated with all honour at the

castles where they chose to alight. It would have been considered as

foul a deed to use discourtesy to a minstrel as to insult a herald. Their

persons were, indeed, regarded as sacred, and the knights and barons

strove to gain their good will by hospitality and presents, as a large

proportion of their ballads related to deeds of war; and while they

would write lays in honour of those who courteously entertained them,

they did not hesitate to heap obloquy upon those who received them

discourteously, holding them up to the gibes and scoffs of their

fellows. In no way, therefore, would success be so likely to attend the

mission of those who set out to discover the hiding place of King

Richard as under the guise of a minstrel and his attendant. No questions

would be asked them; they could halt where they would, in castle or

town, secure of hospitality and welcome. Blondel was himself a native of

the south of France, singing his songs in the soft language of

Languedoc. Cuthbert's Norman French would pass muster anywhere as being

that of a native of France; and although when dressed as a servitor

attention might be attracted by his bearing, his youth might render it

probable that he was of noble family, but that he had entered the

service of the minstrel in order to qualify himself some day for

following that career. He carried a long staff, a short sword, and at

his back the lute or small harp played upon by the troubadour. Blondel's

attire was rich, and suitable to a person of high rank.

They crossed to the Scheldt, and thence travelled by the right bank of

the Rhine as far as Mannheim, sometimes journeying by boat, sometimes on

foot. They were also hospitably entertained, and were considered to more

than repay their hosts by the songs which Blondel sang. At Mannheim they

purchased two horses, and then struck east for Vienna. The journey was

not without danger, for a large portion of this part of Europe was under

no settled government, each petty baron living in his own castle, and

holding but slight allegiance to any feudal lord, making war upon his

neighbour on his own account, levying blackmail from travellers, and

perpetually at variance with the burghers of the towns. The hills were

covered with immense forests, which stretched for many leagues in all

directions, and these were infested by wolves, bears, and robbers. The

latter, however, although men without pity or religion, yet held the

troubadours in high esteem, and the travellers without fear entered the

gloomy shades of the forest.

They had not gone far when their way was barred by a number of armed men.

"I am a minstrel," Blondel said, "and as such doubt not that your

courtesy will be extended to me."

"Of a surety," the leader said, "the gay science is as much loved and

respected in the greenwood as in the castle; and moreover, the purses of

those who follow it are too light to offer any temptation to us. We would

pray you, however, to accompany us to our leader, who will mightily

rejoice to see you, for he loves music, and will gladly be your host so

long as you will stay with him."

Blondel, without objection, turned his horse's head and accompanied the

men, followed by Cuthbert. After half an hour's travelling, they came to

a building which had formerly been a shrine, but which was now converted

to the robbers' headquarters. The robber chief on hearing from his

followers the news that a minstrel had arrived, came forward to meet him,

and courteously bade him welcome.

"I am Sir Adelbert, of Rotherheim," he said, "although you see me in so

poor a plight. My castle and lands have been taken by my neighbour, with

whom for generations my family have been at feud. I was in the Holy Land

with the emperor, and on my return found that the baron had taken the

opportunity of my absence, storming my castle and seizing my lands. In

vain I petitioned the emperor to dispossess this traitorous baron of my

lands, which by all the laws of Christendom should have been respected

during my absence. The emperor did indeed send a letter to the baron to

deliver them up to me; but his power here is but nominal, and the baron

contemptuously threw the royal proclamation into the fire, and told the

messenger that what he had taken by the sword he would hold the sword;

and the emperor, having weightier matters on hand than to set troops in

motion to redress the grievances of a simple knight, gave the matter no

further thought. I have therefore been driven to the forest, where I live

as best I may with my followers, most of whom were retainers upon my

estate, and some my comrades in the Holy Land. I make war upon the rich

and powerful, and beyond that do harm to no man. But, methinks," he

continued, "I know your face, gentle sir."

"It may well be so, Sir Adelbert," the minstrel said, "for I too was

in the Holy Land. I followed the train of King Richard, and mayhap at

some of the entertainments given by him you have seen my face. My name

is Blondel."

"I remember now," the knight said. "It was at Acre that I first saw you,

and if I remember rightly you can wield the sword as well as the lute."

"One cannot always be playing and singing," Blondel said, "and in lack of

amusement I was forced to do my best against the infidel, who indeed

would have but little respected my art had I fallen into his hands. The

followers of the prophet hold minstrels but in slight reverence."

"What is the news of King Richard?" the knight said. "I have heard that

he was lost on the voyage homewards."

"It is not so," Blondel said. "He landed safely on the coast, and was

journeying north with a view of joining his sister at the Court of

Saxony, when he was foully seized and imprisoned by the Archduke John."

"That were gross shame indeed," the knight said, "and black treachery on

the part of Duke John. And where is the noble king imprisoned?"

"That," said Blondel, "no man knows. On my journey hither I have gathered

that the emperor claimed him from the hand of the Archduke, and that he

is imprisoned in one of the royal fortresses; but which, I know not. And

indeed, sir knight, since you are well disposed towards him, I may tell

you that the purport of my journey is to discover if I can the place of