NILS STENSSON. Ha-ha-ha; that was me too!
NILS LYKKE. You?
NILS STENSSON. I will tell you how it came about. One day Peter Kanzler called me to him and gave me to know that great things were preparing. He bade me set out for Norway and go to Ostrat, where I must be on a certain fixed day——
NILS LYKKE (nods). The third night after Martinmas.
NILS STENSSON. I was to meet a stranger there——
NILS LYKKE. Ay, right; I am he.
NILS STENSSON. He was to tell me what more I had to do. Moreover, I was to let him know that the Count was dead of a sudden, but that as yet 'twas known to no one save to his mother the Countess, together with Peter Kanzler and a few old servants of the Stures.
NILS LYKKE. I understand. The Count was the peasants' rallying- point. Were the tidings of his death to spread, they would fall asunder,—and the whole project would come to nought.
NILS STENSSON. Ay, maybe so; I know little of such matters.
NILS LYKKE. But how came you to give yourself out for the Count?