cared nought. The men who
had cast him there called themselves his friends, and, as he knew,
desired only to keep him fast, believing him to be a stranger who might
disclose their plot. When all was over and Ulf dead, they would release
him and perchance discover who he was.

Sigurd wished he might die before the morning.

But presently, as he lay, he heard a sound of feet on the pavement
without approaching his dungeon.

The door slowly opened and a monk stood before him.

The hope that dawned in Sigurd's breast as the door opened faded again
as a gruff voice without said--

"Do thy work quickly, father. A short shrift is all the villain
deserves."

With that the door closed again, and Sigurd and the monk were left in
darkness.

"I am to die, then?" asked the hero of the holy man.

"'Tis reported," said the monk, "you seek the king's life; therefore in
the morning you are to die. But," added he, speaking lower, "you shall
not die, my lord."

Sigurd started, not at the words, but at the voice that uttered them.

"Who art thou?" he whispered.

"One who owes thee his life, and would repay thee, my lord. I am he
whom thou sparedst but lately in the wood."

In the dark Sigurd could not see his face, but he knew he spoke the
truth.

"Quick," said the man, throwing off his gown and hood; "off with thy
armour, my lord, and don these. There is no time to spare."

For a moment Sigurd paused, amazed at the man's offer. Then the thought
of Ulf decided him.

"Brave friend," said he, "Heaven bless you for your aid. For four hours
I accept thy deliverance and borrow my freedom. If before then I have
not returned, call me a coward and a knave."

"Speak not of borrowing, my lord," said the man. "Heaven forbid I
should require again the poor life thou thyself didst give me."

"Peace!" said Sigurd, quickly casting off his armour and covering
himself in the monk's garb.

In a few moments the exchange was made. Then Sigurd, grasping the hand
of his brave deliverer, pulled the hood low over his face, and stepped
to the door and knocked. The guard without unlocked the door, and as he
did so the robber, crouching in a distant corner of the dungeon; clanked
his arms and sighed.

"Ha, ha! brave monk," said the guard to Sigurd, laughingly. "This
villain likes not your news, 'tis clear. You have done your task, the
headsman shall soon do his."

Sigurd said nothing, but, with head bent and hands clasped, w