“Yes; so let us wait patiently, little sister.  Still, there is no reason why I should not try to find out who the man is.  Perhaps Farmer Helmboe knows him.  I will ask him the first time I go to Bamble, and if need be I will push on to Drammen.  There it will not be difficult for me to at least learn what the man does, and what people think of him.”

“They do not think well of him, I am sure,” replied Hulda.  “His face is very unprepossessing, and I shall be very much surprised if there is a noble soul concealed under such a repulsive exterior.”

“Come, come, little sister, it will not do to judge people by outward appearances,” exclaimed Joel.  “Don’t be so suspicious, Hulda, and cheer up.  Ole will soon be with us, and we will scold him roundly for having kept us waiting.”

The rain having ceased the pair left the hut and started up the path leading to the inn.

“By the way, I must go away again to-morrow, little sister,” said Joel.

“Go away again to-morrow!” repeated Hulda.

“Yes, early in the morning.  On leaving the Hardanger I was informed by a comrade that a traveler, coming from the north by way of the Rjukanfos would arrive to-morrow.”

“Who is this traveler?”

“I don’t know his name, but I must be on hand to conduct him to Dal.”

“Ah, well! go, then, as there is no help for it,” replied Hulda, with a sigh.

“Yes, I must start to-morrow at sunrise.  Do you really feel so badly about it, Hulda?”

“Yes, brother, I feel much more unhappy when you leave me, even if it is only for a few hours.”

“Ah, well, this time I shall not go alone.”

“Why, who is to accompany you?”

“You, little sister.  You need diversion, and I am going to take you with me.”

“Oh, thank you, Joel, thank you!”

CHAPTER VIII.

The brother and sister left the inn at sunrise the next morning.  The fifteen mile walk from Dal to the celebrated falls of the Rjukan, and back again, was a mere trifle for Joel, but it was necessary to economize Hulda’s strength, so Joel hired foreman Lengling’s kariol.  This, like all kariols, had but one seat, but the worthy man was so large that he had been obliged to have his kariol built to order, and this being the case the vehicle was large enough to enable Hulda and Joel to sit side by side quite comfortably; and if the expected tourist was waiting for them at Rjukanfos as they anticipated, he could take Joel’s place and the latter could either return afoot or mounted upon the step behind the kariol.

The road from Dal to the falls is very rough but indescribably charming.  It is really rather a footpath than a road.  The bridges across the countless streams that dance merrily along to the Maan are all constructed of unhewn logs, but the Norwegian horse traverses them with a sure step, and though the kariol has no springs, its long and slightly elastic shafts soften the jolting at least to some extent.