ance
between the ships under the cover of darkness, and--"

His voice crashed through hers like a thunder-peal: "Who kept the watch
on board, last night?"

Half a dozen men started in sudden consternation; but they were spared
the peril of a reply, for Sigurd Haraldsson stepped out of the throng
and stood at Helga's side.

"I kept the watch last night, foster-father," he said, quietly. "Let
none of your men suffer in life or limb. It was I who received her on
board, while it was the others' turn to sleep; and I alone who hid her
in the foreroom."

Those who had hoped that Leif's love for his foster-son might outweigh
his anger, gauged but poorly the force of the resentment he had been
holding back. At this offer of a victim which it was free to accept, his
anger could no more be restrained than an unchained torrent. It burst
out in a stream of denunciation that bent Sigurd's handsome head and
lashed the blood into his cheeks. Coward and traitor were the mildest of
its reproaches; contempt and eternal displeasure were the least of its
dooms. Though Helga besought with eyes and hands, the torrent thundered
on with a fury that even the ire of Eric had never surpassed.

Only a lack of breath brought it finally to an end. The chief dashed
himself back into his chair, and leaned there, panting and darting fiery
glances from under his scowling brows,--now at Rolf and the Norman, now
at Helga, and again at the motionless figure of Sigurd Haraldsson,
silently awaiting his pleasure. When he spoke again, it was with the
suddenness of a blow.

"Nor do I altogether believe that it was to escape from Gilli that she
took this venture upon herself. By her own story, Gilli had gone away
for the season and left her free. It is my opinion that it took
something of more importance to steal the wits out of her."

Helga blanched. If he was going to pry into her motives, what might not
the next words bring out? Under the Norman's silken tunic, an English
heart leaped, and then stood still. There was a pause in which no one
seemed to breathe. But the next words were as unexpected as the last.

Of a sudden, Leif started up with a gesture of impatience. "Have I
nothing to think of besides your follies? Trouble me no longer with the
sight of you. Tyrker, take the girl below and see to it that she is
cared for." While the culprits stared at him, scarcely daring to credit
their ears, he still further signified that the incident was closed,