, you would have seen for
yourself."

"Seen what?"

"The footprints of a wolf leading up to the door; none leading
away."

It was impossible not to be startled by the tone alone, though it
was hardly above a whisper. Sweyn eyed his brother anxiously, but
in the darkness could make nothing of his face. Then he laid his
hands kindly and re-assuringly on Christian's shoulders and felt
how he was quivering with excitement and horror.

"One sees strange things," he said, "when the cold has got into
the brain behind the eyes; you came in cold and worn out."

"No," interrupted Christian. "I saw the track first on the brow of
the slope, and followed it down right here to the door. This is no
delusion."

Sweyn in his heart felt positive that it was. Christian was given
to day-dreams and strange fancies, though never had he been
possessed with so mad a notion before.

"Don't you believe me?" said Christian desperately. "You must. I
swear it is sane truth. Are you blind? Why, even Tyr knows."

"You will be clearer headed to-morrow after a night's rest. Then
come too, if you will, with White Fell, to the Hill Cairn; and if
you have doubts still, watch and follow, and see what footprints
she leaves."

Galled by Sweyn's evident contempt Christian turned abruptly to
the door. Sweyn caught him back.

"What now, Christian? What are you going to do?"

"You do not believe me; my mother shall."

Sweyn's grasp tightened. "You shall not tell her," he said
authoritatively.

Customarily Christian was so docile to his brother's mastery that
it was now a surprising thing when he wrenched himself free
vigorously, and said as determinedly as Sweyn, "She shall know!"
but Sweyn was nearer the door and would not let him pass.

"There has been scare enough for one night already. If this notion
of yours will keep, broach it to-morrow." Christian would not
yield.

"Women are so easily scared," pursued Sweyn, "and are ready to
believe any folly without shadow of proof. Be a man, Christian,
and fight this notion of a Were-Wolf by yourself."

"If you would believe me," began Christian.

"I believe you to be a fool," said Sweyn, losing patience.
"Another, who was not your brother, might believe you to be a
knave, and guess that you had transformed White Fell into a
Were-Wolf because she smiled more readily on me than on you."

The jest was not without foundation, for the grace of White Fell's
bright looks had been bestowed on him,