Then said Hubba:

"Almost had I a hope that he yet lived, as you live. But it was a
poor hope. We have held him as dead for many a long day."

But Ingvar looked at Beorn fixedly, and the man shrank away from
his gaze.

"How did he die, is what I would know?" he said sternly.

"Let the man to whom Halfden and Lodbrok gave these gifts tell us
presently. We have enough ill news for the time. Surely we knew
that the jarl was dead, and it is ours but to learn how;" said
Hubba.

"How know you that these men slew not both?"

"Jarl Ingvar," I said; "I will tell you all you will, but I would
do so in some less hurried way than this. For I have much to tell."

"Take the men home, brother," said Hubba; "then we can talk."

"Bind the men," said Ingvar again.

"Nay, brother, not the man who wears those rings," said Hubba
quickly.

"Maybe, and it is likely, that they are ill come by, and he will
make up some lie about them," answered Ingvar.