hundred men-at-arms on board, and with them they durst not
contend. Then I thought, in God's name I must come out here alone
and beg you help me to find the maiden, for I know you to be a
God-fearing man."

But the skipper paid no heed to his question of the maiden; his
mind was full of the other matter. "What makes you sure that the
murderers are on board?" he said.

Torarin pointed to a great oaken chest which stood between the
rowers' thwarts. "I have seen that chest too often in Herr Arne's
house to be mistaken," he said. "In it is Herr Arne's money, and
where his money is, there you will find his murderers."

"That chest belongs to Sir Archie and his two friends, Sir
Reginald and Sir Philip," said the skipper.

"Ay," said Torarin, looking at him fixedly; "that is so. It
belongs to Sir Archie and Sir Philip and Sir Reginald."

The skipper stood silent awhile and looked this way and that.
"When think you the ice will break up in this bay?" he said to
Torarin.

"There is something strange in it this year," said Torarin. "In
this bay we have always seen the ice break up early, for there is
a strong current. But as it shapes now you must have a care that
you be not thrust against the land when the ice begins to move."

"I think of naught else," said the skipper.