house we went to Herr Arne, roused him, and told him he must give
us money. If he gave it freely, we would not harm him. But Herr
Arne resisted us with force, and so we had to strike him down. And
when we had dispatched him, we had to make an end of all his
household."

Elsalill interrupted Sir Archie no more, but her heart felt cold
and empty. She shuddered as she looked upon Sir Archie, for as he
spoke a cruel and bloodthirsty look came over him. "What was I
about to do?" she thought. "Have I been mad and loved the man who
murdered all my dear ones? God forgive my sin!"

"When we thought all were dead," said Sir Archie, "we dragged the
heavy money chest out of the house. Then we set fire about it,
that men might think Herr had been burnt alive."

"I have loved a wolf of the woods," said Elsalill to herself. "And
him I have tried to save from justice!"

"But we drove down to the ice and fled to sea," Sir Archie went
on. "We had no fear so long as we saw the flames mounting to the
sky, but when we saw them die down we took alarm. We knew then
that neighbours had come and put out the fire, and that we should
be pursued. So we drove back toward land, for we had seen the
outlet of a stream where the ice was thin. We lifted the chest
from the sledge and drove forward till the ice broke under the
horse's hoofs. Then we let it drown and sprang off to one side. If
you were aught but a little maid, Elsalill, you would see that
this was bravely done. We acquitted ourselves like men."