in those chests we do not know or care, save only for one reason."

"What is that?" she asked, glancing at me again as if she knew that
she had spoken unkindly.

"That if it goes into the sea depths it leaves you, Lady Gerda,
helpless. When you were at home, with your folk round you, the
hoarded spoils might be spent in all honour to their winner without
thought of why he had kept them thus. Now, in the power they have
for you lies your comfort, and maybe the regaining of your home.
Doubtless, the king hoarded at last for you, and we cannot see your
wealth pass from you without a word to bid you think twice of what
you do here and as things are."

"Aye," she said bitterly, "I am helpless--beholden to you three
strangers," and she turned away swiftly, going to the gunwale and
leaning her arms and head on it as in a storm of grief.

Hard words indeed those seemed; but I knew well enough that they
were meant in no unkindness. They came from the depths of her utter
loneliness. Only a day or two ago she had been the queen in her
little realm, and now--well, I did not wonder at her. Few women in
her place would have kept the brave heart she did before us, and
this weakness would pass. But it was a long while before she turned
to me again, so that I began to fear that in some way I had set
things too bluntly before her, and wished that Dalfin had been sent
to manage better in his courtly way. Yet, I had only spoken the
truth in the best manner I could. At last she straightened herself,
and looked once more at me. There was the light of a wan smile on
her face, too, though she had been weeping.

"Forgive me, jarl," she said softly. "I have wronged you and those
good friends of ours by my foolish words. Indeed, I hardly knew
what I said, for I was hard pressed with the thoughts of what had
been. I do believe that you three have not a thought of yourselves
in this matter."

She set her hand on my arm pleadingly, and I raised it and kissed
it in answer, having no word at all to say. After all, I do not
know that any was needed.

"Then I am forgiven?" she said more brightly. "Now, tell me what
may be done if I keep the treasure. I must needs hear good
reasons."

Good reasons enough there were, and they needed no long setting
into words. If she had not enough to raise men and so win back her
home from Arnkel, at least there must be sufficient to keep her in
comfort in any land until she could find a passage back to Norway