m began to relate and to
describe all that had passed with the pale man.

"I know him also very well," said Biorn. "He is half crazed and half
wise, as we sometimes are astonished at seeing that people can be. But
do thou, my boy, go to rest after thy wild journey. I give you my word
that Rolf shall be kindly received if he arrive here; and that if he do
not come soon, he shall be sought for in the mountains."

"I trust to your word, father," said Sintram, half humble, half proud;
and he did after the command of the grim lord of the castle.

CHAPTER 4

Towards evening Sintram awoke. He saw the good Rolf sitting at his
bedside, and looked up in the old man's kind face with a smile of
unusually innocent brightness. But soon again his dark brows were knit,
and he asked, "How did my father receive you, Rolf? Did he say a harsh
word to you?"

"No, my dear young lord, he did not; indeed he did not speak to me
at all. At first he looked very wrathful; but he checked himself,
and ordered a servant to bring me food and wine to refresh me, and
afterwards to take me to your room."

"He might have kept his word better. But he is my father, and I must
not judge him too hardly. I will now go down to the evening meal." So
saying, he sprang up and threw on his furred mantle.

But Rolf stopped him, and said, entreatingly: "My dear young master,
you would do better to take your meal to-day alone here in your own
apartment; for there is a guest with your father, in whose company
I should be very sorry to see you. If you will remain here, I will
entertain you with pleasant tales and songs."

"There is nothing in the world which I should like better, dear Rolf,"
answered Sintram; "but it does not befit me to shun any man. Tell me,
whom should I find with my father?"

"Alas!" said the old man, "you have already found him in the mountain.
Formerly, when I used to ride about the country with Biorn, we often met
with him, but I was forbidden to tell you anything about him; and this
is the first time that he has ever come to the castle."

"The crazy pilgrim!" replied Sintram; and he stood awhile in deep
thought, as if considering the matter. At last, rousing himself, he
said, "Dear old friend, I would most willingly stay here this evening
all alone with you and your stories and songs, and all the pilgrims in
the world should not entice me from this quiet room. But one thing must
be considered. I feel a kind of dread of that