"Speak not so lightly," replied the old man sternly, and with that air of mystery he could make so impressive. "Thou knowest not what things are behind the veil, or how much may hang upon a word. I charge thee strictly that thou sayest no word of this to Estein; there are matters that should not come to the ears of kings."
"I shall say nothing to any one," Helgi answered more soberly.
"That is well said," replied Atli. "Sleep now, for the dawn draws nigh, and the way is long."
Helgi had just got back to the loft and was throwing off his coat again, when Estein suddenly rose on his elbow and looked at him, and for a minute he felt like a criminal caught in the act.
"Have I been dreaming, Helgi?" said his foster-brother, "or—or—where have you been?"
"To warm myself at the fire," replied Helgi readily.
"Spoke you with any one?"
"Ay; Atli heard me and came to see whether perchance a thief had come in to carry away his two Norsemen."
"Then I only dreamt," said Estein, passing his hand across his eyes. "I thought I heard the voice of a girl; but when I woke more fully, it was gone, indeed. It sounded like—but it was my dream;" and lying down again, he closed his eyes.
"Should I tell him?" thought Helgi; "nay, I promised Atli, and after all this is mine own adventure."