to the cellar?"

"Oh, yes, I hear them," said Sir Archie; "they will come here to
empty a pot of ale, since their prisoners are safe under lock and
key. Think not of them, Elsalill, but think how tomorrow you and I
will be sailing the wide sea to my dear native land!"

But Elsalill was pale as a corpse, and she shook so that she could
scarce speak. "Sir Archie," she said, "do you not see them
speaking with the hostess yonder at the bar? They are asking her
whether any of those they seek is within."

"I'll wager they are charging her to brew them a warm, strong
drink this stormy night," said Sir Archie. "You need not quake and
tremble so mightily, Elsalill. You can follow me without fear. I
tell you that if my father would have me wed the noblest damsel in
our land, I should now say her nay. Come with me over the sea in
full security, Elsalill! Nothing awaits you there but joy and
happiness."

More and more of the pikemen had collected about the door, and
Elsalill was now beside herself with terror. "I cannot look on
while they come and seize him," she thought. She leaned toward Sir
Archie and whispered to him: "Do you not hear, Sir Archie? They
are asking the hostess whether any of Herr Arne's murderers is
here within."

Then Sir Archie threw a glance across the room and looked at the
pikemen who were speaking with the hostess. But he did not rise
and fly as Elsalill had expected: he bent down and looked deeply