"Since I came," he went on, "I have taught him more than he could
have learned in a lifetime here and now, as thou hast seen, he
fears and obeys me as a master. With him I took up my abode,
living in a spot known only to few. Yet my thoughts turned
continually to Norway, and chiefly flew to thee, Estein. I dreamt
of thee often, and at last a voice"--his own sank almost to a
whisper as he spoke--"a voice bade me seek thee. How I fared thou
knowest."

"I would that I had given more heed to your warning," said Estein
gloomily.

"It all came true then?" cried Atli. "Nay, there is no need to
answer. Truth I tell, and truth must happen."

"Have you, then, further rede to give me?"

"Ay, I have heard of this spell and the sore change that has
befallen thee, and in my dreams and outsittings I have seen many
things--an old man habited in a strange garb, and a maid by his
side. Ha! flew the shaft true?"

So carried away was Estein by the seer's earnestness, and so
suddenly did his last words strike home, that the thought never
occurred to him that this might only be the gossip of his
followers come in time to Atli's ears. It seemed to him an
inspired insight into his past, and he started suddenly, and then
said slowly,--