R (rises). Peter Kanzler, say you?

OLAF SKAKTAVL. He himself;--but mayhap you no longer know him?

LADY INGER (half to herself). Only too well!--But tell me, I
pray you,--what message do you bring?

OLAF SKAKTAVL. When the rumour of the rising reached the border
mountains, where I then was, I set off at once into Sweden. 'Twas
not hard to guess that Peter Kanzler had a finger in the game. I
sought him out and offered to stand by him;--he knew me of old, as
you know, and knew that he could trust me; so he has sent me hither.

LADY INGER (impatiently). Yes yes,--he sent you hither to----?

OLAF SKAKTAVL (with secrecy). Lady Inger--a stranger comes to
Ostrat to-night.

LADY INGER (surprised). What? Know you that----?

OLAF SKAKTAVL. Assuredly I know it. I know all. 'Twas to meet
him that Peter Kanzler sent me hither.

LADY INGER. To meet him? Impossible, Olaf Skaktavl,--impossible!

OLAF SKAKTAVL. 'Tis as I tell you. If he be not already come,
he will soon----

LADY INGER. Yes, I know; but----

OLAF SKAKTAVL. Then you know of his coming?

LADY INGER. Ay, surely. He sent me a message. That was why
they opened to you as soon as you knocked.

OLAF SKAKTAVL (listens). Hush!--some one is riding along the
road. (Goes to the window.) They are opening the gate.

LADY INGER (looks out). It is a knight and his attendant. They
are dismounting in the courtyard.

OLAF SKAKTAVL. Then it is he. His name?

LADY INGER. You know not his name?

OLAF SKAKTAVL. Peter Kanzler refused to tell it me. He would
only say that I should find him at Ostrat the third evening after
Martinmas----

LADY INGER. Ay; even to-night.

OLAF SKAKTAVL. He was to bring letters with him, and from them,
and from you, I was to learn who he is.

LADY INGER. Then let me lead you to your chamber. You have
need of rest and refreshment. You shall soon have speech with
the stranger.

OLAF SKAKTAVL. Well, be it as you will. (Both go out to the left.)

(After a short pause, FINN enters cautiously through the door
on the right, looks round the room, and peeps into the Banquet
Hall; he then goes back to the door, and makes a sign to some
one outside. Immediately after, enter COUNCILLOR NILS LYKKE
and the Swedish Commander, JENS BIELKE.)

NILS LYKKE (softly). No one?

FINN (in the same tone). No one, master!

NILS LYKKE. And we