"Helgi," said the old man, still speaking very low, "thou hast
seen that which ought to have remained hidden from thee."

"But which was well worthy of the seeing," said Helgi.

"Speak not so lightly," replied the old man sternly, and with that
air of mystery he could make so impressive. "Thou knowest not what
things are behind the veil, or how much may hang upon a word. I
charge thee strictly that thou sayest no word of this to Estein;
there are matters that should not come to the ears of kings."

"I shall say nothing to any one," Helgi answered more soberly.

"That is well said," replied Atli. "Sleep now, for the dawn draws
nigh, and the way is long."

Helgi had just got back to the loft and was throwing off his coat
again, when Estein suddenly rose on his elbow and looked at him,
and for a minute he felt like a criminal caught in the act.

"Have I been dreaming, Helgi?" said his foster-brother, "or--or--
where have you been?"

"To warm myself at the fire," replied Helgi readily.

"Spoke you with any one?"

"Ay; Atli heard me and came to see whether perchance a thief had
come in to carry away his two Norsemen."