"Clayton Emery - Robin Hood's Treasure" - читать интересную книгу автора (Emery Clayton)

your business, Will. Go on, lad."
"That's all there is to tell. They took our money. That's what Mother told
me to tell y'."
"And she expects us to get her silver back?"
"Gold, it was, she said. Near to ninety marks. All we had in the world,
and now us thrown out in the cold to starve."
Will Scarlett scratched his head. He signalled to old Will Stutly and Little
John to move away. He whispered, "I've seen this Widow Amabillia
before, and heard more of her. She's the one loses her cattle all the
time. Has six head and loses thirteen or more a year. She thinks the
pindar works for her. I'll bet if she says she lost ninety pounds it's closer
to forty-five. Or thirty."
"You're daft, Will," Little John told him. "Not everyone's a thief like you."
"And she couldn't conjure up four wastrel knights from the ground." Will
Stutly scowled, "Still, I don't believe anything until I see it with my own
two eyes. We'll set out on their trail. It's what Robin would do."
THey walked back to the boy.
Alphonse, skinny and dirty and fifteen or so, gulped down a hunk of
venison a dog couldn't have swallowed. Little John carved off another
piece. Will Scarlett sat on his heels across from the boy. "All right lad --
you're a bright looking type, you know that? I hope my little Tam grows
up as sharp as you -- why don't you tell us everything that happened?
Let's start with descriptions of these knights, their weapons, and their
mounts..."
The boy's throat tired from answering questions. Finally Will Scarlett
said, "That's all very well, but these knights could have gone anywhere."
"But probably they'll go to Nottingham," said Will Stutly. "With that gold
weighin' 'im down, they'll be wanting to spend it, and town's the place to
waste money. Just ask Scarlett."
"It's as good as any," Little John agreed. "We can take the Black Brook
Trail to the Salt Road. Maybe we'll get there before 'em."
"`Specially if they stop at the Boar," added Scarlett.
"You've yet to pass it by, tha's true," replied John.
"This'll be grand. If we collect the robbers and the money too, that'll do
Rob in the eye."
"This ain't a contest. Be sensible. Now let's go. Much, you stay here in
camp. To tell Robin where we are, or in case anyone else comes.
Where are we going?"
Much furrowed his black brows. "Af-ter knights. To Nott'in'um."
"Good!" The giant slapped the idiot on the back. "We'll be back tonight,
or maybe not. Rob'll understand."
He caught Alphonse under the arm and picked him clean off the ground,
then set him down. "Come on, son. Let's catch these marauders of
yours. Maybe we can collect their heads to adorn your mother's gate."
Alphonse choked on his meat but stood ready as the foresters
shouldered their quivers and picked up their bows. He stepped out after
them, then found himself running to keep up with their long woodsmen's
strides.
Will Stutly called over his shoulder, "Where's your mother now, boy?"
"Oh, she's safe. She's asking the sheriff to help."