"Magnus is at the farm."
"But if he should come back while everybody is away?"
"He can not come back to-day--his guests will keep him busy."
"But if he should in spite of everything?"
"In that case," said Oscar, dropping his voice and turning his head, "the Sheriff has orders to deal with him."
By this time they had come to the tail of the train which had started before them, and the dust and the noise of the clattering caravan were too much for Helga.
"Let us go round by the hot springs and come out ahead of them," she said, and they went cantering down a lane to the left where vapor floated over a flowing stream. Half an hour later they returned to the main road, forded a river and toited up a hill beyond it. The cavalcade was now far behind them, and the little wooden capital was a long way off, with its feet in the grey fiord and the white encircling arms of the snow-covered hills stretching out to the brightening line of the sea and sky.
"There!" said Helga, drawing rein and looking at Oscar with a sparkle in her eyes.
"Poor little Thora! I was sorry to leave her. But I dare say everything will be well," said Oscar.
"Sure to be," said Helga.