eless," I answered, "Raud the forester was the first to
shelter me, and I do not forget."

Whereat Raud was pleased, and together we went to the great house,
and entered, unchallenged. Hubba came forward and held out his
strong hand to me frankly, smiling a little, but gravely, and I
took it.

"Beorn has told the truth," he said; "forgive me for doubt of you
at any time."

"Aye, let that be forgotten," said Ingvar, coming from beyond the
great fire, and I answered that I thought it not strange that they
had doubted me.

"Now, therefore," said Hubba, "you yourself shall question Beorn,
for there are things you want to know from him. And he will answer
you truly enough."

"After that you shall slay him, if you will," said Ingvar, in his
stern voice, "I wonder you did not do so in the boat. Better for
him if you had."

"I wonder not," said Hubba. "The man is fit for naught; I could not
lay hand on such a cur."

I had no answer to make after that, for the warrior spoke my own
thoughts, and I held my peace as they took me to the further side
of the hearth, past the fire, beyond which I had not yet been able
to see.

Then I knew how Beorn had been made to speak the truth. They had
tortured him, and there was no strength left in him at all, so that
I almost started back from the cruel marks that he bore. Yet I had
things to hear from him, now that he had no need to speak falsely,
and I went to his side. The two jarls stood and looked at him
unmoved.

"The justice of Ulfkytel is on you, Beorn," I said slowly; "there
is no need to hide aught. Tell me how you slew Lodbrok, and why."

Then came a voice, so hollow that I should not have known it for
the lusty falconer's of past days:

"Aye; justice is on me, and I am glad. I will tell you, but first
say that you forgive me."

Then I could not but tell this poor creature that for all the harm
he had done me I would surely forgive him; but that the deed of
murder was not for me to forgive.

"Pray, therefore, that for it I may be forgiven hereafter," he
said, and that I promised him.

Then he spoke faintly, so that Hubba bade Raud give him strong
drink, and that brought his strength back a little.

"I took your arrows at Thetford, and I followed you to Reedham.
There I dogged you, day by day, in the woods--five days I went
through the woods as you hunted, and then you twain were far apart,
and my chance had come. Lodbrok reined up to listen, and I marked
where