They took me to a great oaken-walled hall where sat many thanes along great tables, eating and drinking, and at the highest seat was Osric, and next him, Matelgar.  This assembly, and most of all that my enemy should be present, was against me in making my plea; but as the old crone had said, I should be no loser by witness.

I waited till a thrall had told Osric that one of his messengers was here, and then they beckoned me to go to him.  He shifted round in his chair to speak to me, but I was watching Matelgar, and saw his glance light on my sword hilt.  Recognizing it, he grew pale, and then red, half-rising from his seat to speak to Osric, but thinking better thereof.

“Well; what news and whence?” said the sheriff, who was a small, wiry man, with a sour look, as I thought.  Men spoke well of him though.

“The Danes lie off the Holms, sir,” I said, for I would gain time.

“I know that,” he answered testily; “pull that mail off your face, man; they are not here yet, and your voice is muffled behind it.”

I suppose that the coming and going of messengers was constant, and indeed there came another even then, so the other thanes paid little attention after they heard my stale news, except Matelgar; who went on watching me closely.

I was just about to ask the sheriff to hear me privately, when Matelgar plucked him by the sleeve, having made up his mind at last, and drawing him down a little, spoke to him a few words, among which I caught my own name.

The sheriff looked sharply at me, twitching his sleeve away, and I saw that there was to be no more concealment; so I dropped the tippet and let him see who I was, saying at the same time: 

“Safe conduct I crave, Osric the Sheriff.”

Then a silence came over the thanes who saw and knew me, looking up to see what this new freak of mine was.  And Osric frowned at me, but said nothing, so I spoke first.

“Outlaw I am, Osric, but I can fight; today I bore the war arrow—­that one who neither knew nor believed me gave me—­faithfully to Matelgar the Thane, who is here in obedience to that summons.  And when I took it I was on my way out of the kingdom as I was bidden, but I turned back because of the need for a trusty messenger.  Now I ask only to be allowed to fight alongside your men in this levy, and after that it is over—­ if I live—­I will go my way again.”

That was all I had to say, and when I ceased a talk buzzed up among the thanes.  But Matelgar looked black, and Osric made no answer, frowning, indeed, but more I think at the doubt he was in than with anger at me.

I saw that Matelgar longed to speak, but dared not as yet, and then he cast his eye down the hall, and seemed to make some sign.

Presently Osric said in a doubtful way, “Never heard I the like.  Now I myself know not why an outlaw should not fight if he wills to do so.

“What say you, thanes?” he cried loudly, turning to those down the hall.