Now that word of common sense was the best that he could have spoken, for I was waxing angry at being thus played with, as I thought. But at that moment Olaf and Ottar came in with clang and ring of mail and sword, and so no more was said, and soon Ailwin rose to depart. But I followed him out, and asked him for the last time:
"Will you not tell me where Hertha bides?"
"No, my son--not yet. Believe me it is best."
"Well, then," I answered, "I shall try to find her; but if I cannot, you mind what I said."
"I will not forget. But I will add this--that there are many fair maidens, and but one Hertha."
Then he turned away into the dark, and was gone with an uplifting of his hand in parting blessing. I knew the good man loved me, and now I was sorry that I had spoken harshly to him, yet I had a feeling that I had been treated ill. Maybe that was foolish, but one acts on foolish thoughts often enough.
There was a man sitting on the settle in the porch of the house as I turned back. I had not noticed him as we came out. Now the firelight from the half-open door fell on his face, and I saw that it was one of those two thralls of mine.
"Ho, Brand," I said, "answer me truly. Know you where bides Dame Gunnhild the witch?"
"No, lord. We know not where she bides but it is not far hence, for we see her at times in the village, though not often."
"How did she escape when the Danes came?"