When Robin and Will Scarlett are out searching for Alan-a-Dale, who has failed to return to camp, they see a group of soldiers escorting a man shackled in irons. Their intervention on the man's behalf leads to surprising results.
Alan-A-Dale (Richard Coleman) is a prisoner of the Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Wheatley) and is being held in the sheriff's castle. Robin Hood (Richard Greene) falls victim to the new Deputy High Sheriff of Nottingham (John Arnatt) who has devised a rouse to convince Robin that he is on Robin's side in an effort to free Alan. At the same time Robin and Marian (Patricia Driscoll) must play convincing roles to prove to the sheriff that they are not known to each other.