Seeing Robin, he beckoned to him; then whispered his plans. But Robin did not intend to leave Nottingham so soon.
"Go, Little John, and take that which is in your sack——"
"I shall bring it to you, gossip," spoke Little John, in a muffled voice: "to your haunts in Barnesdale. You shall see who is the better servant—Stuteley or myself. Here have I the Sheriff's plate——"
An audacious notion flashed upon Robin.
"Take it to our cave in Barnesdale, honest John," said he, swiftly, indicating the sack, "and, harkee; I will follow later with such a guest as never our greenwood has yet carried. Lay out a royal feast and kill one of the fattest bucks. Take my dagger in token to them that I have sent you."
"Who will you bring with you, gossip? Not my lord of Hereford?"
"I will bring Monceux himself," said Robin, boldly. "Leave the business in my hands. Go now, if you know a safe road from out of this place."
"I have a friend at the gate who will ask me no questions," answered Little John, softly. "But you?"
"My wit shall lead me out from Nottingham," Robin told him.
Little John let himself out by one of the postern doors, and found means to convey the Sheriff's plate through the streets. Afterwards when he reached the gate, he continued to win his passage by pure statesmanship, pretending that he had been sent out at that strange hour to snare young rabbits for his lord's breakfast!