"She left you," said Elsalill, "because she did not choose to hear
the talk of all the evildoers who gather in your tavern."

"Many a wild companion comes to my tavern," said the hostess, "but
among them are no evildoers."

"Yet the maid heard three that sat there talking among
themselves," said Elsalill, "and one of them said: 'Drink,
brother! Herr Arne's hoard is not yet done.'"

When Elsalill had said these words she thought: "Now I have helped
my foster sister and told what I heard. Now may God help me that
this woman pay no heed to my words; so I shall be quit."

But when she saw in the hostess's face that she believed her, she
was afraid and would have run away.

But before she had time to move, the hostess's heavy hand had
taken firm hold of her so that she could not escape.

"If you can witness that such words have been uttered in my
tavern, mistress," said the hostess, "then you were best not to
run away. For you must go with me to those who have the power to
seize the murderers and bring them to justice."




CHAPTER VIII