'
"'And woodcraft, too, I'll be sworn, fellow,' said the king 'Thou hast, or I
am mistaken, made free with some of my venison.'
"'He looks marvellously like Arnold Sheafe, who was outlawed for deer-
stealing,' said Osmond Crooke, regarding him steadfastly
"'I am no outlaw, neither am I called Arnold Sheafe,' replied the other.
'My name is Philip Urswick, and I can render a good account of myself
when it shall please the king's highness to interrogate me. I dwell on
the heath near Bagshot, which you passed today in the chase, and
where I joined you.'
"'I noted you not,' said Osmond.
"'Nor I--nor I!' cried the other keepers.
"'That may be; but I saw you,' rejoined Urswick contemptuously; 'and I
tell you there is not one among you to be compared with the brave
hunter who lies there. You have all pronounced his case hopeless. I
repeat I can cure him if the king will make it worth my while.'
"'Make good thy words, fellow,' replied the king; 'and thou shalt not only
be amply rewarded, but shalt have a free pardon for any offence thou
mayest have committed.'
"'Enough,' replied Urswick. And taking a large, keen-edged hunting-
knife from his girdle, he cut off the head of the hart close to the point
where the neck joins the skull, and then laid it open from the extremity
of the under-lip to the nuke.
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