have broken the peace; you have taken the life of one of the king's
own guests, and you have insulted the king's hospitality. I fear
that you must die."

He broke off, listening to the furious cries of the crowd outside.
"Hark!" he went on. "Those wild sea wolves are calling for blood
vengeance. Come! come with me quickly. There is but one hope left,
and in that hope lies my own despair and my own undoing."

So, while yet the people were clamouring for the young peace breaker's
life, Sigurd took Olaf through the back part of the house and by
many secret passages into the queen's garth. Here, in a large hall
that was most splendidly adorned with carved wood and hung with
tapestry, sat Queen Allogia with two of her handmaids working with
their needles upon a beautiful robe of embroidered silk.

Sigurd passed the armed sentinel at the door and strode into the
apartment, followed closely by the boy. The queen looked up in
surprise at the unexpected visitors.

"I crave your help, O queen," cried the steward excitedly.

The queen stood up in alarm. She had heard the turmoil of voices
from without.

"What means all this shouting?" she inquired.

Then Sigurd told her how Olaf had killed the viking, and implored
her to help the boy out of his trouble.