And it was done exactly as Mord commanded, and in fourteen days the women came back, all bearing large bundles.
‘Who gave you the most?’ asked Mord, and one woman answered:
‘Hallgerda, the wife of Gunnar; she gave us a cheese cut into great slices.’
‘I will keep that cheese,’ said Mord.
When the women had gone, Mord rode away to Otkell’s farm, and bade him fetch the cheese-mould of Thorgerda his wife. And when it was brought, Mord took the slices and laid them in it, and they filled up the mould.
After this they all saw that Hallgerda had stolen the cheese, and, now that Mord had found the thief, he went back to his own house.
The tidings soon spread far and wide, and reached the ears of Kolskegg, who rode over to Lithend, so that he might speak with Gunnar.
‘Know you that it is said by every man that it was Hallgerda who caused the fire at Kirkby, that she might steal the cheese and butter?’ asked he.
‘I have thought before that it must be so, but how can I set it right?’ answered Gunnar.
‘You must make atonement to Otkell, and it is better there should be no delay,’ replied Kolskegg.