“Still, I must search for her, Jodd.”

“You are a blind man.  How can you search?”

Then an idea came to him, and he added,

“Listen, General.  I and the rest of us swore to protect the lady Heliodore and to be as her father or her brothers.  Do you bide here.  I will go to search for her, either with a vessel full of armed men, or alone, disguised.”

Now I laughed outright and asked,

“What disguise is there that would hide the giant Jodd, whose fame the Moslem spies have spread throughout the East?  Why, on the darkest night your voice would betray you to all within a hundred paces.  And what use would one shipload of armed men be against the forces of the Emir of Egypt?  No, no, Jodd, whatever the danger I must go and I alone.  If I am killed, or do not return within eight months, I have named you to be Governor of Lesbos, as already you have been named my deputy by Constantine, which appointment will probably be confirmed.”

“I do not want to be Governor of Lesbos,” said Jodd.  “Moreover, Olaf,” he added slowly, “a blind beggar must have his dog to lead him, his brown dog.  You cannot go alone, Olaf.  Those dangers of which you speak must be shared by another.”

“That is so, and it troubles me much.  Indeed, it is in my mind to seek some other guide, for I think this one would be safest here in your charge.  You must reason with her, Jodd.  One can ask too much, even of a god-mother.”

“Of a god-mother!  Why not say of a grandmother?  By Thor!  Olaf, you are blind indeed.  Still, I’ll try.  Hush! here she comes to say that our supper is ready.”

At our meal several others were present, besides the serving folk, and the talk was general.  After it was done I had an interview with some officers.  These left, and I sat myself down upon a cushioned couch, and, being tired, there fell asleep, till I was awakened, or, rather, half awakened by voices talking in the garden without.  They were those of Jodd and Martina, and Martina was saying,

“Cease your words.  I and no one else will go on this Egyptian quest with Olaf.  If we die, as I dare say we shall, what does it matter?  At least he shall not die alone.”

“And if the quest should fail, Martina?  I mean if he should not find the lady Heliodore and you should happen both to return safe, what then?”

“Why, then—­nothing, except that as it has been, so it will be.  I shall continue to play my part, as is my duty and my wish.  Do you not remember that I am Olaf’s god-mother?”

“Yes, I remember.  Still, I have heard somewhere that the Christian Church never ties a knot which it cannot unloose—­for a proper fee, and for my part I do not know why a man should not marry one of different blood because she has been named his god-mother before a stone vessel by a man in a broidered robe.  You say I do not understand such matters.  Perhaps, so let them be.  But, Martina,