“It is perfectly true,” she said, and unlatched a ruby brooch, made heart-shape, from her dress. “There is the plunder,” and she held it out for inspection.
“Then tell us the tale,” said Anthony.
“It would be five of the clock,” said Mary, “as we came through Groombridge, and then into the woods beyond. I had bidden my knaves ride on before with my woman; I came down into a dingle where there was a stream; and, to tell the truth, I had my head down and was a-nodding, when my horse stopped; and I looked up of a sudden and there was a man on a bay mare, with a mask to his mouth, a gay green suit, a brown beard turning grey, and this ruby brooch at his throat; and he had caught my bridle. I saw him start when I lifted my head, as if he were taken aback. I said nothing, but he led my horse off the road down among the trees with a deep little thicket where none could see us. As we went I was thinking like a windmill; for I knew I had seen the little red brooch before.
“When we reached the little open space, I asked him what he wished with me.
“‘Your purse, madam,’ said he.
“‘My woman hath it,’ said I.
“‘Your jewels then, madam,’ said he.
“‘My woman hath them,’ said I, ‘save this paste buckle in my hat, to which you are welcome.’ It was diamonds, you know; but I knew he would not know that.
“‘What a mistake,’ I said, ‘to stop the mistress and let the maid go free!’
“‘Nay,’ he said, ‘I am glad of it; for at least I will have a dance with the mistress; and I could not with the maid.’