learly?" inquired the captain.

"This," said Andrew with a tone of conviction, "that what the lads
have discovered is nothing less than the grave of Kierfiold
Haffling, the great viking of Orkney."

Then turning to the captain he continued: "You see, Captain Gordon,
it was the custom of the old sea kings to bury their dead heroes in
caves on the seashore, or to place the body in a boat and send it
drifting to sea on its long voyage. In either case it was usual to
dress the hero in full battle array, with helmet, sword, and
shield, to enable him to fight his way to Valhalla. These relics
here of Ericson's, and those that the other lads have gotten, are
just such things as would be buried in a viking's grave. The human
skull in their midst puts the matter beyond a doubt."

"Curious, very curious!" murmured Captain Gordon. "But, sir, how do
you identify this supposed grave with that of the particular
warrior you have mentioned?"

"Kierfiold Haffling? Oh, well, you see, captain, I may be making a
mistake; but, as it happens, I have seen a runic inscription over
at Stenness which expressly states that the Jarl Haffling was
buried with his earthly treasures to the northwest of the Maes
Howe. Now, the Bay of Skaill, where the lads made the discovery, is
exactly northwest of Stenness. The one thing that surprises me is
that the treasure was not found long since, for the inscription has
clearly indicated its position, and has further stated that 'happy
is he who discovers this great wealth.' It seems to me, however,
that no person ever thought of searching within the tide line."

"But, after all," said the captain, "the wealth does not seem so
enormous. Why, I would hesitate to offer a ten-pound note for the
whole lot."

"No, it is not indeed enormous, in a worldly sense, I admit. But
you must consider the importance of the discovery from what I may
call an archaeological point of view. You see the relics have a
historical value, Mr. Gordon."

The schoolmaster then turned to me and said:

"I think, Halcro, it's a pity that you lads didn't keep these
things all together, and bring them here as ye found them. What for
did ye divide them, as though they were so many blackberries? Ye
couldn't do anything with them--ye can't sell the things."

"It was Tom Kinlay said he thought we should share them, sir. I
didn't think we were doing wrong."

"Tom Kinlay kens nothing about such matters, Halcro. Just you get
the three oth