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THE GENTLE ROBBER
"Sire," said Louis, as he did reverence, "I have come to tell of cruel wrong, and to win from thee a promise of redress."
"Thou shalt have it!" cried the King, with his hand upon his sword. "Friend or child of my friend went never yet uncomforted from the foot of my throne. Speak thy wrong."
Then the youth told him all that he had told the Bishop, and added thereto other tales, and hope shone sternly in his eyes.
"Send forth with me a band of thy men-at-arms," prayed the suppliant. "Even now, perchance, are orphans made that might have grown tall in happiness save for this man's lust for gold."
Then the King looked about, and his face grew dark with anger, for some half
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