With his keen hearing, Nick heard horses hooves approaching, and darted up the tree in seconds. He didn't want to be seen by any men-at-arms that might recognise him.
Hidden up amongst the foilage, Nick peered down and saw that the rider was actually an elderly wizard. Then he saw that tied to the horse's back, behind the wizard, were a few scrolls and an ornate box.
Nick reckoned that by locking his feet around the branch, he could swing down and grab a scroll, or maybe even the box, without the wizard seeing him. If the wizard caught him however, he would face worse punishment than a spell in the stocks - it would be a spell of a different kind!
Did Nick want to risk it?