There I was to meet a stranger——

Nils Lykke.

Ay, right; I am he.

Nils Stensson.

From him I should learn 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 ’twould all come to nought.

Nils Stensson.

Ay, maybe so; I know little of such matters.

Nils Lykke.