"I am a merchant, sir," it began.
"Perhaps," says I, with a glance at the lady, "we had better spare that also."
"Sir," says the cully, accepting my rebuke, "if you will but save me my two hundred and fifty guineas you will place me deeply in your debt. A King's officer, like yourself, should have no difficulty in running these rascals to earth."
That made me smile, as you may fancy; and then, turning to Hoity-toity, I says, "And how have you fared, madam?"
Now that I regarded her more closely, I could perceive that she was very elegant, but she wore an ill-tempered frown, that set her beauty askew.
"I," says she, shrilly, "am in no mood to indulge a wayside curiosity—unless, indeed, 'tis your business to catch robbers." I bowed very solemn, and she eyed me with asperity. "I have been rifled of many valuable jewels, which I should now possess had I kept other company than that of chicken-hearts."
"'Tis a fool's trick to carry jewels on the King's highway," says I. "These gentlemen of the road snap their fingers at his Majesty."
"And you a King's officer to say that!" she said scornfully.
"Faith," said I, with a laugh, "I make no such claim to dignity. I am a poor civil gentleman, of no more pretensions than your brave companions."
"Brave!" she echoed, with disdain. "Five able-bodied men, and never a blow among them!"