"You addle-pated, insolent clown, to dispute terms with gentlemen in
His Majesty's service. Stand aside. I've done you only too much
honour by parleying with you. Out of the way. We don't want to take
a stick of your own trumpery, I say."
"Sir, it is Church plate."
"Ha, ha! Church plate is His Most Sacred Majesty's plate. Don't ye
know that, you ass? Here! we'll throw you back something for
yourself if you will show us the cave and save us trouble, for we
know which it is by the token of the red stone and twisted ash. Ho!
take-- What's become of the clown? He has run off. Discreet
fellow!"
For Stead had disappeared in the black darkness behind the hut. He
remembered Jephthah's discomfiture by the owl, and it struck him that
from within the cavern it would be quite possible to keep the robbers
at bay, if they tried without knowing the way to climb up among the
bushes. He was not afraid for his brother and sister, as the
marauders evidently did not want anything but the plate. Indeed, his
whole soul was so concentrated on the defence of his charge that he
had no room for anything else.
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