Dick Merriwell Abroad; Or, The Ban of the Terrible Ten

by Burt L. Standish

  CHAPTER X.

  THE HAUNTS OF ROBIN HOOD.

  "Well, boys," said Professor Gunn, "we are at last in the very heart ofSherwood Forest, the haunt of Robin Hood, the outlaw."

  "There certain is a right good stretch of timber and some of the biggesttrees I ever saw," confessed Brad Buckhart; "but it doesn't seem to methat it should have been such a mighty hard thing to hunt an old outlawout of a place like this."

  "Times were different then, and you must not forget that, while Robinplundered the rich, legends have it that he was always kind to the poor,and, therefore, he had many friends who warned him of danger and gavehim protection."

  Dick Merriwell, Brad Buckhart, and Professor Gunn were being driven inan open carriage through the noble and famous forest. All around themstood the mighty oaks, some of which, it was said, had withstood thestorms of seven centuries. The westering sun of what had been an idealautumn day gleamed through the branches on which the brown leavesrustled and where the squirrels chattered. The frozen ground wasbestrewn with fallen leaves, which rustled in little flocks along thehard road when stirred by a passing breeze, seeming like startled birds.

  Earlier in the day they had visited Newstead Abbey, the home of Byron,where two hours were spent. On leaving they drove through theever-thickening forest to a little wayside inn, where they lunched.After a rest, they resumed their drive, it being their object to stopfor the night at Robin Hood's Tavern, an inn of which they had been toldby their cockney driver.

  "Is it really true, professor," asked Dick, "that Robin Hood was ofnoble birth?"

  The old pedagogue shrugged his shoulders and smiled a withered smile.

  "That is a question no one can answer," he declared. "It has been saidthat he was the outlawed Earl of Huntingdon, but such a tale may havecome from the fact that the really noble qualities he betrayed seemedquite unnatural for a robber and outlaw, and were supposed to bepossessed only by those of gentle birth. But here in this forest heroamed with Friar Tuck, Little John, Will Scarlett, Allen-a-Dale, andMaid Marion. Here he made merry and lived such a life of adventure, andease, and pleasure, that he has been the envy of every romanticyoungster to this day."

  "Did he live long?" questioned Buckhart.

  "Tradition says he lived his roving, careless, jolly life until hebecame a very old man."

  "And how did he die? Was he executed?"

  "Oh, no. Being somewhat ill, he trusted himself to the prioress ofKirkley to be bled, and she treacherously let him bleed to death."

  "Do you believe there really was a Robin Hood, professor?"

  "Why not?"

  "Well, you know the story has been doubted by students of history, manyof whom assert that the story of his life is purely legendary."

  "Hum! haw! Haw! hum!" coughed Zenas. "Some of these students of historyare cranks and doubters on principle. They think they impress peoplewith their great knowledge, acumen and judgment by doubting everythingthere is any chance of doubting. You can doubt anything that happenedsay a century ago if you wish to. No matter how strong the proofs maybe, you can say they were manufactured. Do either of you boys doubt thestory of Paul Revere's ride?"

  "Of course not!" exclaimed Dick.

  "I should rise to remark that we don't," burst from Brad.

  "Well, I once heard a man, an educated man, a scholar, declaring thatthe whole yarn had been manufactured out of moonshine. He didn't denythere had lived such a person as Paul Revere, for Paul Revere'sdescendants still live; but he insisted and maintained that the tale ofhis midnight ride had been elaborated and cooked up to please those whowished to make a hero of a very commonplace man."

  "Great tarantulas!" growled Brad. "That gent certain deserved to be shotup some for making such foolish talk!"

  "Do you really believe there was a Robin Hood, professor?" asked Dick,once more.

  "I think there is no doubt that such a man lived," answered the old manstiffly. "Perhaps he did not pass through all the stirring adventurescredited to him, but I am satisfied that there was a Robin Hood. He waspassionately attached to the chase, and he was bold enough to make freewith the king's deer, which angered the king, who summoned him toLondon. Thinking himself far safer here in this forest, which was thenmuch more vast, having since been cut away to a great extent, he simplyignored the summons, upon which the king pronounced him an outlaw."

  The sun was low in the west, and the long shadows deepened in SherwoodForest. Soon the sun set and night spread its wing over the ancienthaunts of Robin Hood.

  "How much farther to the tavern, driver?" asked Professor Gunn.

  "Not hover four mile, sir," was the answer.

  Behind them on the hard road there sounded the clatter of hoofs andrumble of wheels. Looking round, they saw a closed carriage, drawn bytwo horses, rapidly approaching.

  "Some one drives in a great hurry," said Dick.

  The horses were steaming as they whipped past at a favorable place fordoing so. The curtains of the carriage were closely drawn, and not asoul save the muffled driver was to be seen.

  "Those horses have been pushed right hard," observed Buckhart. "Wonderwho's inside the old hearse."

  They crossed a stone bridge and followed the winding road on into astill deeper portion of the forest. The sun went down and darknessgathered.

  At last a light glimmered cheerfully in the distance and a dog barked.

  "That is Robin 'Oods Tavern," said the driver.

  "Glad of it!" exclaimed the professor. "It's getting cold since sunset.Not quite as bad as it was in Scotland, but too cold for comfort whiledriving."

  "Why, I allowed it was some hot up round Lochleven in Scotland,"chuckled Buckhart. "We warmed things up one night. Eh, pard?"

  "Rather," agreed Dick.

  Amid the massive oaks stood the little inn, with the light shiningcheerfully from its windows. Soon they drew up before it, their journeyended for the night.

  Outside the inn, with the horses unhitched and removed, stood the sameclosed carriage that had passed them on the road.

  A hostler came to take charge of their horses, and they entered the inn,being greeted by the landlord, a ruddy-cheeked man, named Swinton, whowas smoking a rank-smelling pipe. The landlord welcomed them in ahearty, cheerful manner, bidding them come in by the fire and get warm.

  "It's going to be a cold night, gentlemen," he said.

  "Cold, indeed, sir," agreed the professor; "but your little house looksbright, and warm, and comfortable."

  "So I think you will find it. You will stay to sup with me?"

  "We hope you can give us accommodations overnight. Have you two rooms,one with a fire in it?"

  "I have just what you want, I believe--two rooms with a door between, anda grate fire in one of them. You may be as comfortable as you pleasehere."

  By this time the professor had learned that it was always best tobargain in advance for accommodations in England, and this he proceededto do, haggling in a good-natured way with the landlord, who at firstasked an exorbitant price.

  "We're not millionaires, my dear sir," said Zenas. "We're just plain,ordinary people, traveling through your beautiful country. The penniescount with us."

  "You're from America, are you not?" asked the innkeeper, seeming greatlysurprised at this confession.

  "We are, but not all Americans have money to burn, even though the mostof them who come abroad wish people to think so."

  Finally the landlord agreed to a price a full third lower than he hadoriginally named, after which, having ushered them into a room with anopen coal fire, he went away to prepare their rooms for them.

  A servant came and removed the wraps, saying they would be taken to therooms upstairs. He also took charge of the big hand bag, which containedtheir nightdresses and such toilet articles as they always carried withthem.

  After a time the porter came and announced that their rooms were readyfor them. At the foot of the stairs a maid with a lighted candle waitedto escort them. She was a buxom, red-cheeked
country girl.

  "Be careful hof of the stairs, sir; they're very steep sir," she said toZenas, giving him a smile that made him brace up wonderfully. "Hi 'aveto climb them hoften henough to know."

  "Er-hum!" coughed the old fellow. "They say climbing stairs is fineexercise--great for the complexion. But you don't need anything toimprove your complexion, my dear--it couldn't be improved."

  "'Ow kind you hare, sir!" she said, with a smothered laugh.

  Dick was behind Brad, and he gave the Texan a pinch that caused him toutter a whoop.

  "Ow, goodness!" cried the girl, in alarm.

  "Don't be frightened, my dear--don't be frightened!" said Zenas quickly."It's only the boys."

  "Hit gave me 'art a hawful jump," said the girl. "One gets frightenedterrible in this 'ouse."

  "Get frightened here? Why?"

  "'Avent you 'eard, sir?"

  "About what?"

  "This place is 'aunted, you know."

  "Eh? Hey? Haunted, did you say?"

  "Yes, sir; they do say it's the spirit of Robin 'Ood hisself that come'ere, sir."

  "This is interesting--decidedly so!" said Zenas. "A haunted inn in theheart of Sherwood Forest! Why, I should think it would drive away customif such a report got out."

  "Hinstead of that, hit brings people 'ere to see the place, sir. Theyseem to take great hinterest in 'aunted 'ouses."

  She flung open the door of a room.

  "'Ere is your rooms, sirs," she said. "The fire is warm, and Hi 'ope youwill be very comfortable. Is there hany thing I can bring you?"

  They entered the first room, in which the fire was burning. It wasfairly large and comfortable, with a big English bed, surrounded bycurtains.

  "Wait a minute, my dear," urged the professor. Then turning to the boys,he said:

  "Here, you youngsters, take that candle on the mantel and inspect yourroom. The door is open, I see."

  Dick gave Brad a wink and picked up the candle, starting for theadjoining room. The maid had entered the first room and was waiting,candle in hand.

  "You may go with Richard, Bradley," said Zenas, seeing that Buckhartlingered behind.

  "All right," nodded the Texas youth.

  As he stepped past the girl he gave a puff that extinguished the candlein her hand. Then he swiftly strode into the adjoining room, closing thedoor behind him.

  Immediately the old professor began to call loudly for Dick and Brad toreturn.

  "Come back here, you young rascals!" he shouted. "What are you up to,you scoundrels? Bring that candle instantly! How dare you do such athing--how dare you!"

  "I'm so frightened!" fluttered the girl, catching hold of Zenas. "'Aveyou a match, sir? We might light the candle, sir."

  Dick opened the door and peered back into the room, discovering the girlclinging to the professor.

  "Here! here!" he cried reprovingly. "What are you doing, Professor Gunn?You're a married man. I didn't think it of you! I didn't think you wouldblow out the young lady's candle and attempt to kiss her in the dark.It's really scandalous! What would Mrs. Gunn say if she ever heard ofthis?"

  "Oh, goodness! She'd have a fit!" confessed Zenas. "Bring that candleinstantly! How in the world did this candle happen to go out?"

  "Oh, I think you know how it happened," laughed Merriwell.

  "On my word I don't!" declared Gunn. "I believe that reprobate Buckhartdid it!"

  "But he didn't compel you to attempt to kiss the girl in the dark."

  "Oh, murder! I never touched her! She was frightened. She clung to mefor protection."

  "Oh, all right," said Dick; but his tone and manner seemed to indicatethat he knew better and could not be fooled by such an explanation.

  Zenas shook his fist at Dick in great excitement.

  "If you dare hint that I was trying to kiss her, I'll--I'll--I'll----"

  He seemed unable to find words with which to complete the threat, and sohe turned to the maid, anxiously urging her to attest that he had donenothing of the sort.

  Behind the professor's back Dick winked and nodded at her, making signsshe understood.

  "Why, sir," she said, falling in with the joke, "Hi don't hexactlysuppose you hactually meant to kiss me, sir; but----"

  "There it is professor--there it is!" cried Dick, while Buckhart laughedaloud. "She confesses that you really did do it, although she tries toshield you by saying it was an accident."

  "She didn't confess anything of the sort!" palpitated Zenas, actuallydancing in his excitement. "You're twisting her language, you rascal!You're perverting her meaning! You're trying to ruin my reputation!"

  "If she hadn't said so with her own lips--the lips you tried to----"

  "Stop it! stop it!" implored Zenas. "If you respect me in the least, Iimplore you to stop it! If you ever hint that such a thing happened, ifyou ever breathe a suggestion of it in the presence of my wife, I'll----"

  "Now, don't threaten me," said Dick reproachfully. "You know I'm yourfriend, and even though I have been saddened to know of yourdisreputable behavior, I'll remain silent as the grave concerning it.Even though I may deplore your inclination to get gay with the girls,I'll bury the black secret in my heart and never breathe a word of it toyour lovely, delicate and trusting wife."

  "Lovely! Delicate!" gasped the old pedagogue.

  "Don't say a word against her, sir!" exclaimed Dick, with a pretense ofrighteous indignation. "She remains at home and permits you to travelabroad for your health, little dreaming that, while she thus sacrificesherself for your sake, you are carrying on scandalously with everypretty girl you meet."

  Zenas threw up his hands in despair, the expression on his face being solaughable that Buckhart with difficulty kept himself from roaring.

  "I didn't dream you could say such things of me, Richard!" groaned theold man.

  "And I didn't dream you would cut up so among the girls. Of course, I'llkeep still about it, and Brad will never say a word, but still it mayleak out. It may get into the newspapers. You know there arerepresentatives of the yellow journals of America in London. They mayhear of it. It will make a breezy bit of scandal--a juicy morsel--forthem. How would this sound in one of their papers: 'Professor Gunn GetsGay With the Girls. Giddy Old Chap, Traveling in England, Tickles theChambermaids----'"

  With a genuine shriek of horror, Professor Gunn dropped on a chair.

  "Stop! stop!" he yelled. "You'll drive me to suicide!"

  "But you know it may get into the papers," Dick went on. "As I said,neither Brad nor myself will say anything about it."

  "Then how can it get out?"

  "Why, the girl you tried to kiss may----"

  "Never tried it--never!"

  "Well, the girl who says you tried to kiss her----"

  "Who says you did kiss her--by accident," put in the boy from Texas.

  "I stand corrected, and I accept the correction." said Dick. "The girlwho says you did kiss her by accident may happen to speak of it to othertourists. She may mention your name. It's not unlikely some of thosetourists may be newspaper men. If they are not, they may be friends ofnewspaper men. They may see an opportunity of making a good, spicy itemout of it. Oh, there are ways enough for it to get into the Americanpapers."

  "How can I prevent it?" groaned the tortured old fellow.

  "Why, you might fix it with the girl," answered Dick, again giving themaid a significant wink. "She's a poor girl, but she's honest andkind-hearted. She wouldn't like to ruin you, and she'll keep still--foran inducement."

  "Ow, Hi couldn't think hof it----" began the girl.

  Thinking she meant that she could not think of keeping still, Zenassprang to his feet, cold perspiration starting out on his pale face.

  "I implore you! I beseech you!" he cried. "I'm an honorable man, and Ihold a position of trust and responsibility in America. If this thinggets into the American papers I'm ruined. Here, my dear girl, takethis--take it and remain silent--for my sake."

  Eagerly he thrust a pound note into her hand. />
  "Ow, you hare so kind, sir--so very kind, sir!" she tittered, bobbing hima bow. "Hi'm ownly a poor girl, and Hi thank you for being so hawfullykind to me, sir. If there's hanything Hi can do for you, sir, while youare 'ere----"

  "You can," said Zenas solemnly.

  "You may depend hon me, sir. What is it?"

  "Keep away from this room. Don't come near it while I remain in thehouse. If you do these boys will see something further that is improper.Go at once. Every moment you remain adds to my peril. Go!"

  "Very well, sir. Hi 'opes you 'ave a pleasant time while 'ere, sir. Hi'opes you henjoy your supper and your night's rest, sir. Good night,sir."

  Bobbing a bow to each of them in turn, she smilingly left the room.