"I mean," cried Jorgen Jorgensen, "that if you adjourn this Althing for three days, the traitor will be taken. If not, he will be at liberty as many years. Will you do it?"
"Your Excellency," said the Judge, "Althing has lived nigh upon a thousand years, and every other year for that thousand years it has met on this ancient ground, but never once since it began has the thing you ask been done."
"Let it be done now," cried Jorgen Jorgensen. "Will you do it?"
"We will do our duty by your Excellency," said the Judge, "and we will expect your Excellency to do your duty by us."
"But this man is a traitor," cried Jorgen Jorgensen, "and it is your duty to help me to capture him. Will you do it?"
"And this day is ours by ancient right and custom," said the Judge, "and it is your duty to stand aside."
"I am here for the King of Denmark," cried Jorgen Jorgensen, "and I ask you to adjourn this Althing. Will you do it?"
"And we are here for the people of Iceland," said the Judge, "and we ask you to step back and let us go on."
Then Jorgen Jorgensen's anger knew no bounds.
"You are subjects of the King of Denmark," he cried.