yester-night."

"I know naught of their bringing any maiden with them," said the
skipper. "I have heard no woman's voice aboard the ship tonight."

"I am Torarin the fish hawker," said the other; "maybe you have
heard of me? It was I who supped with Herr Arne at Solberga
parsonage the same night he was murdered. Since then I have had
Herr Arne's foster daughter under my roof, but last night she was
stolen away by his murderers, and they have surely brought her
with them to your vessel."

"Are Herr Arne's murderers aboard my vessel?" asked the skipper in
dismay.

"You see that I am a poor and feeble man," said Torarin. "I have a
palsied arm, and therefore I am fearful of taking upon myself any
bold and hazardous thing. I have known these many days who were
Herr Arne's murderers, but I have not dared to bring them to
justice. And because I have held my peace they have made their
escape and have found occasion to carry the maiden with them. But
now I have said to myself that I will have no more of my
conscience in this matter. At least I will try to save the little
maid."

"If Herr Arne's murderers are on board my ship, why does not the
watch come out and arrest them?"

"I have begged and prayed them all this night and morning," said
Torarin, "but the watch durst not come out. They say there are a