Torarin tried to do as he was bid and tell of the assize and the inquest, but he could command neither his lips nor his tongue, and his speech was faulty and stammering, so that Herr Arne stopped him at once. "Tell me only the main thing, Torarin. Were our murderers found and punished?"
"No, Herr Arne," Torarin had the boldness to answer. "Your murderers lie at the bottom of Hakefjord. How would you have any take revenge on them?"
When Torarin returned this answer Herr Arne's old temper seemed to be kindled within him and he smote the table hard. "What is that you say, Torarin? Has the Governor of Bohus been here with judges and clerks and held assize and has no man had the wit to tell him where he may find my murderers?"
"No, Herr Arne," answered Torarin. "None among the living can tell him that."
Herr Arne sat awhile with a frown on his brow, staring dismally before him. Then he turned once more to Torarin.
"I know that you bear me affection, Torarin. Can you tell me how I may be revenged upon my murderers?"
"I can well understand, Herr Arne," said Torarin, "that you wish to be revenged upon those who so cruelly have deprived you of your life. But there is none amongst us who walk God's earth that can help you in this."
Herr Arne fell into a deep brooding when he heard this answer.
There was a long silence. After a while Torarin ventured to put forward a request. "I have now fulfilled your desire, Herr Arne, and told you how it went at the assize. Have you aught else to ask me, or will you now let me go?"
"You are not to go, Torarin," said Herr Arne, "until you have answered me once more whether none of the living can give us vengeance."