Part 2 (2/2)

”And do you not believe them dead, Elsalill?” asked the stranger.

”Oh, yes, I think they must be drowned,” said Elsalill; ”and yet I pray to G.o.d daily that they may have escaped. I speak to G.o.d in this wise: 'Let it be so that they have only driven the horse and the sledge into the hole, but have themselves escaped.'”

”Why do you wish this, Elsalill?” asked the stranger.

The tender maid Elsalill, she flung back her head and her eyes shone like fire. ”I would they were alive that I might find them out and seize them. I would they were alive that I might tear their hearts out. I would they were alive that I might see their bodies quartered and spiked upon the wheel.”

”How do you think to bring all this about?” said the stranger.

”For you are only a weak little maid.”

”If they were living,” said Elsalill, ”I should surely bring their punishment upon them. Rather would I go to my death than let them go free. Strong and mighty they may be, I know it, but they would not be able to escape me.”

At this the stranger smiled upon her, but Elsalill stamped her foot.

”If they were living, should I not remember that they have taken my home from me, so that I am now a poor la.s.s, compelled to stand here on the cold quay and clean fish? Should I not remember that they have slain all those near to me, and should I not remember most of all the man who plucked my foster sister from the wall and slew her who was so dear to me?”

But when the tender little maid gave proof of such great wrath, the three Scottish campaigners burst out laughing. So full of merriment were they that they went off, lest Elsalill might take offence. They walked across the harbour and up a narrow alley which led to the market-place. But long after they were out of sight Elsalill heard their roars of loud and scornful laughter.

CHAPTER III

THE MESSENGER

A week after his death Herr Arne was buried in Solberga church, and on the same day an inquest was held upon the murder in the a.s.size house at Branehog.

Now Herr Arne's fame was such throughout Bohuslen, and so many people came together on the day of his funeral, both from the mainland and the islands, that it was as though an army had a.s.sembled about its leader. And so great a concourse moved between Solberga church and Branehog that toward evening not an inch of snow could be seen that had not been trampled by men's feet.

But late in the evening, when all had gone their ways, came Torarin the fish hawker driving along the road from Branehog to Solberga.

Torarin had talked with many men in the course of the day; again and again had he told the story of Herr Arne's death. He had been well entertained too at the a.s.size and had been made to empty many a mug of ale with travellers from afar.

Torarin felt dull and heavy and lay down upon his load. It saddened him to think that Herr Arne was gone, and as he approached the parsonage a yet more grievous thought began to torment him. ”Grim, my dog,” he said, ”had I believed that warning of the knives I might have warded off the whole disaster. I often think of that, Grim, my dog. It disquiets my spirit, I feel as though I had had a part in taking Herr Arne's life. Now remember what I say--next time I hear such a thing I will hold it true and be guided by it!”

Now while Torarin lay dozing upon his load with eyes half closed, his horse went on as he pleased, and on coming to Solberga parsonage he turned into the yard from old habit and went up to the stable door, Torarin being all unwitting. Only with the stopping of the sledge did he rise up and look about him; and then he fell a-shuddering, when he saw that he was in the yard of a house where so many people had been murdered no more than a week before.

He seized the reins at once to turn his horse and drive into the road again, but at that moment he felt a hand upon his shoulder and looked round. Beside him stood old Olof the groom, who had served at the parsonage as long as Torarin could remember.

”Have you such haste to leave our house tonight, Torarin?” said the man. ”Let be and come indoors! Herr Arne sits there waiting for you.”

A thousand thoughts came into Torarin's head. He knew not whether he was dreaming or awake. Olof the groom, whom he saw standing alive and well beside him, he had seen a week before lying dead amongst the others with a great wound in his throat.

Torarin took a firmer hold of the reins. He thought the best thing for him was to make off as soon as he could. But Olof the groom's hand still lay upon his shoulder, and the old fellow gave him no peace.

Torarin racked his brains to find an excuse. ”I had no thought of coming to disturb Herr Arne so late in the evening,” said he. ”My horse turned in here whilst I was unaware. I will go now and find a lodging for the night. If Herr Arne wishes to see me, I can well come again tomorrow.”

With this Torarin bent forward and struck his horse with the slack of the reins to make him move off.

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