I promised you death. But I will let you go free--and
all the frightened rats below can go free--if you will give me Wolden's
secret--"

"I know nothing of Wolden's secret. It may be nothing but a twitch in your
mad brain. The old Blood-Drinker and I know but one secret, Grim Hagen, the
secret of death. Step forth like a man now and I promise you more peace
than even Wolden's secret could give you."

Grim Hagen said no more to Gunnar. He sent four companies in the direction
of other entrances to the underground city. Then he martialled his
remaining men and threw them toward Gunnar in threes.

Three by three they came, and three by three they went down. Braced on
his strong, short legs Gunnar flailed them like wheat. Screams and curses
filled the night. And Gunnar piled the dead before him.

One by one the companies returned to Grim Hagen and reported that for the
present there was no other way into the room below.

Grim Hagen held a short council of war. He had less than a score of the
white-skinned soldiers left. These he sent at Gunnar in a body, and came
following after with the remaining Lorens.

Gunnar cut them down, but a leaping soldier died as he buried his knife in
Gunnar's side. The Lorens were throwing sticks and stones when they could.
They closed in like dogs upon a wolf. Gunnar reeled back and then advanced
once more as he swung his broadsword.

He cleared a path and sent his attackers back until they stood about him
in a circle, their fangs ready.

And then Gunnar reached forth and took the stem of the huge torch high up
in his hands and bowed his back. The lamp rocked upon its pedestal and then
came crashing forward. Its fuel spilled down and caught fire as it fell.
Flames leaped up and lashed out at the Lorens.

The fierce flames drove the attackers farther back. But in falling, the
great lamp careened and half of its liquid had splashed across the entrance
to the tunnel. It caught fire. Gunnar gasped as it struck him. Then he
strode forward, like a dwarf-king advancing from Hell.

A thrown knife caught him in the chest. Gunnar took another step, and
another knife caught him below the throat. He stood there, trying to go
on, and a mace thudded against his temple.

Gunnar reeled back into the flames.

CHAPTER 17

A deadening quiet fell over the huge room where Maya's and Ato's little
armies were making their last stand. The flames were dying out in the
tunnels and on the stairway