"By the way," added Vagn, "I found out something. At night our doors are locked and a man sleeps outside in the hall, before them. Hakon must think we are worth keeping!"
Sigurd thought it over. "The only way I can see is to entice our guard inside and tie him up, then go to Astrid's room and seize her guard before he can cry out. Any way, Astrid, be ready on the second night from this, about midnight, and we will get you somehow."
"We had best not be seen together in the meantime," cautioned the girl, "or someone may become suspicious."
Vagn nodded. "That's right. Well, we won't see you till we come for you, then!"
"All right," laughed Astrid, as they left. "Good-by, till then!"
CHAPTER V.
THE ESCAPE FROM THRANDHEIM.
That night the two boys watched, and discovered that their guard was changed at midnight, so they decided to make the attempt as soon as the guards were changed, as this would give them more time to get away safely.
The two succeeding days passed slowly, and the boys spent them in wandering about the town. They excited no attention, as in the harbor were one or two Danish ships, a vessel from England, and another from Iceland, both of the latter being trading ships wintering in Norway. Sigurd could not repress a shudder as once they passed the gloomy temple of Thor.
"When will these people ever become Christian?" he said to his cousin, as they gazed at the massive stone portal. "Should we really conquer Norway, let our first deed be to tear down this blood-stained old place, and erect in its stead a temple to Christ!"