When the house-thralls had cleared away the tables, they crept into a corner and stayed there, fearing even to go forward and replenish the sinking fire, though gusts of bitter cold came through the broken window behind them.

Little as they guessed it, something besides cold was coming through the hole in the window.  Even while they shivered and nodded beneath it, a pair of gray Saxon eyes were sending keen glances through it, searching every corner.

As the eyes turned back to the outer darkness, Alwin’s voice whispered with a long breath of relief:  “I am certain they have not noticed that we have gone out.”

From the darkness, Sigurd’s voice interrupted softly:  “Is Kark there?”

“I think he is still in his comer.  The light is bad, and the flames are leaping between, but it seems to me that I can make him out.”

They emerged from the shadow into the moonlight, and it became evident that Sigurd was shaking his head dubiously.

“It seems to me also that I heard the door creak after us, and saw a shadow slip past as we turned this corner.  He is always on the watch; it might easily be that our going out aroused his suspicions so that he is hiding somewhere to track us.  More than anything else in the world, is he desirous to catch you in some disobedience.”

Alwin tramped on doggedly.  To all appearances, the court was as deserted as a graveyard at midnight.  Not even the whinny of a horse broke the stillness.  They passed into the shadow of a storehouse, and Alwin dived into, the recess under the steps and began to fumble for something hidden there.  When he drew out a pair of skees and proceeded to put them on, Sigurd burst forth with increased vehemence.

“Alwin, I implore you to heed my advice.  My mind tells me that nothing but evil can come of meddling with Skroppa.  There will be no limit to Leif’s anger if he—­”

“I tell you he will not find out,” Alwin answered over his shoulder.  “His mind is so full of Eric’s ill-doings, that he will not notice my absence before I am back again.  And to-night is the only night when I am not in danger of being spied upon by Eric’s men.  It is my only chance.”

“Yet Kark—­”

“Kark may go into the hands of the Trolls!”

“It is not unlikely that you will accompany him.  You are doing a great sin.  Harald Fairhair burned his son alive for meddling with witchcraft.”

Although his toes were thrust into the straps of the runner-like skees, Alwin stamped with exasperation.  “You need not tell me that again.  I know as well as you that it is a sin.  But will not penance make it right?”

“You will dishonor Leif’s holy mission.”

“I shall not cause any quarrel, nor offend anyone.  What harm can I do?”

Sigurd laid his hands on his friend’s shoulders and tried to see his face in the dark.  “Give it up, comrade; I beseech you to give it up.  If you should be discovered, I tell you that though a priest might win you a pardon from Heaven, no power on earth could make your peace with Leif Ericsson.”