When that Owlglass had, with nimble legs, gat forth with the pot of money into the fields, and looked about, lo! there was not any man which followed after him, and thus guilt was its own constable, lashing the trembling culprit, and driving him forth to seek a bed in the fields, with stubble for a pillow. Marvel not that none did with hue and cry pursue good Master Owlglass; for it came to pass that when the boor had found his pot of money taken, he cried aloud with a great voice, and spake unto such as from their drowsy pillows would with sleepy head give heed unto his speech. But for as much as it was well-known to the worthies which abode in that village, that good master peasant was a miserly hunks, they cared not at all when that he cried aloud that a thief had taken his treasure, and fled with it into the night.

Thus did none follow Owlglass until the day dawned, and then search was diligently made, for in truth men’s hearts, lacking charity in the night season, do sometimes become strangely moved in the face of morning,—and search being made, they encompassed Master Owlglass, and set upon him, and took him and carried him before my good justice of that village, who was a right worthy and true judge. Then the miserly boor stood forth, and said: “Last night while that I sate in my chamber and counted my moneys, this knave lay in wait under the casement thereof, and when that to fright my child, I put forth my pot of money, he with rascally guile took it from me, and fled away therewith. And that he had the money that can he not deny, for when that we took him, he had it in his pouch.” Then the judge said unto Owlglass: “What hast thou to answer unto this man? Dost thou confess and make restitution unto him, for this be a hanging matter, and thou art like to be food for the crows?” Thereat Owlglass answered and said: “Nay, but I entreat ye that of this boor I may have some answers touching this matter.” The judge said: “Speak on.” Then said Owlglass: “Lo! didst thou not open the window and say aloud: ‘Here black man, do thou take the money?’” “Yea,” quoth the boor. “And was not the night dark?” “In good sooth it was,” answered the boor. “And in dark night are not all men black?” “I’ faith that is true,” said the boor. “Then I being a black man, may it content your worship’s reverence, was bidden to take this boor’s pot of money, the which I graciously received, and for the which I bestow the thanks of a poor man upon him.” “Of a truth, thou speakest wisely,” observed the judge, “and for such deed can I not hang thee; and for as much as thou art a proper man and of a quick wit, do I free thee, and bestow upon thee these fifteen shillings; but be thou very heedful to depart forth from this our village, and come not again by day or by night.” Then the boor departed homeward and thought it had been better to have bestowed a penny upon his little lad, than lose the goodly marks by such a rare coney-catcher as was Owlglass. Yet for this cared Owlglass not a whit; but set forth with full pouch and merry mood to the next country; and praised the judge for the just and true judgment he had given.