"Not so, lord king; in the North there is no need."
"Saint Michael! what need here?"
"This is good answer," replied Olvir; and plucking the poisoned arrow from beneath his cloak, he darted it into the table directly before Duke Lupus. The Vascon's startled cry and deathly pallor, as he flung himself back, fully justified the test.
"The viper!" muttered Olvir. "Others than my kinsman shared in the murderous deed. Only for a blind were the high places at the feast kept for us."
The king had bent forward, and was reaching to draw the arrow from the wood. As he grasped the black shaft, Gerold cried warningly: "Beware, sire; the dart is venomed!"
Karl sat upright, the arrow raised before his eyes.
"I see," he said sternly, "this is no clean point; but it is blunted."
"On my mail," replied Olvir.
"Thank God the mail was proof! A foul deed! Name the wretches, Count Olvir. They shall meet death in the slime."
"That I may not do, lord king. Would such foul ones as they stand in the open?"