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THE GENTLE ROBBER
smiled and hid their smiles as best they could with jeweled hand or velvet sleeve; some showed fear at seeing this thing, which was not breathed at court, boldly brought to light.
"Boy," said the King sternly, "hast no respect for them that be appointed to sit in high places, nor awe before an anointed King?"
"Yea, sire," answered Louis, marveling.
"Dost come before my throne with slanderous tales of one on whom I lean heavily and lovingly?"
"Sire," he said bravely, "thou dost not know his cruel deeds. He hath robbed and killed to the sickening of the heart."
"Mayhap," said the King, "but he hath carried all before him with great success,
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