"What is the news, Edwyn?"
"A man came out in a cloak. He was tall. I followed him and heard a sword clink under the cloak, and so felt sure it was the man we have been looking for. I stole after him. He went straight down to the river and gave two short calls. A boat was rowed up. Only a word or two was spoken, and then he took his seat in it, and it was rowed away down the river."
"You have done well, comrade," Ulf said. "I warrant that some good will come to us through your discovery. Good-night."
Ulf went and knocked at his master's door, and on Ulred opening it he told him the news.
"I will go down right early," the armourer said.
"It is beginning to rain, master. The frost has broken, and the wind is soft and warm."
"So much the worse, boy. I will be up at daylight, and you shall go down the river with me. I may want to send you back with a message to Beorn."
Next morning they had rowed near to London Bridge when they saw a boat approaching. The day had broken, but the light was still uncertain. As the boat approached, however, Ulf said: "There is a boy in the boat, master, and he wears an apprentice's cap. Maybe that it is Ernulf." The other boat was keeping close inshore, for the tide had begun to run down. The armourer told the boatman to row closer in, and presently called the boy's name.
"Yes, master, it is I; I was just coming to you with news."
In a couple of minutes the boats were alongside of each other. "What is your news, Ernulf? But I can guess; the ship has sailed."