The Treasure | Page 8

fish? Should I not remember that they have
slain all those near to me, and should I not remember most of all the
man who plucked my foster sister from the wall and slew her who was
so dear to me?"
But when the tender little maid gave proof of such great wrath, the
three Scottish campaigners burst out laughing. So full of merriment
were they that they went off, lest Elsalill might take offence. They
walked across the harbour and up a narrow alley which led to the
market-place. But long after they were out of sight Elsalill heard their
roars of loud and scornful laughter.
CHAPTER III
THE MESSENGER

A week after his death Herr Arne was buried in Solberga church, and
on the same day an inquest was held upon the murder in the assize
house at Branehog.
Now Herr Arne's fame was such throughout Bohuslen, and so many
people came together on the day of his funeral, both from the mainland
and the islands, that it was as though an army had assembled about its
leader. And so great a concourse moved between Solberga church and
Branehog that toward evening not an inch of snow could be seen that
had not been trampled by men's feet.
But late in the evening, when all had gone their ways, came Torarin the

fish hawker driving along the road from Branehog to Solberga.
Torarin had talked with many men in the course of the day; again and
again had he told the story of Herr Arne's death. He had been well
entertained too at the assize and had been made to empty many a mug
of ale with travellers from afar.
Torarin felt dull and heavy and lay down upon his load. It saddened
him to think that Herr Arne was gone, and as he approached the
parsonage a yet more grievous thought began to torment him. "Grim,
my dog," he said, "had I believed that warning of the knives I might
have warded off the whole disaster. I often think of that, Grim, my dog.
It disquiets my spirit, I feel as though I had had a part in taking Herr
Arne's life. Now remember what I say--next time I hear such a thing I
will hold it true and be guided by it!"
Now while Torarin lay dozing upon his load with eyes half closed, his
horse went on as he pleased, and on coming to Solberga parsonage he
turned into the yard from old habit and went up to the stable door,
Torarin being all unwitting. Only with the stopping of the sledge did he
rise up and look about him; and then he fell a-shuddering, when he saw
that he was in the yard of a house where so many people had been
murdered no more than a week before.
He seized the reins at once to turn his horse and drive into the road
again, but at that moment he felt a hand upon his shoulder and looked
round. Beside him stood old Olof the groom, who had served at the
parsonage as long as Torarin could remember.
"Have you such haste to leave our house tonight, Torarin?" said the
man. "Let be and come indoors! Herr Arne sits there waiting for you."
A thousand thoughts came into Torarin's head. He knew not whether he
was dreaming or awake. Olof the groom, whom he saw standing alive
and well beside him, he had seen a week before lying dead amongst the
others with a great wound in his throat.
Torarin took a firmer hold of the reins. He thought the best thing for

him was to make off as soon as he could. But Olof the groom's hand
still lay upon his shoulder, and the old fellow gave him no peace.
Torarin racked his brains to find an excuse. "I had no thought of
coming to disturb Herr Arne so late in the evening," said he. "My horse
turned in here whilst I was unaware. I will go now and find a lodging
for the night. If Herr Arne wishes to see me, I can well come again
tomorrow."
With this Torarin bent forward and struck his horse with the slack of
the reins to make him move off.
But at the same instant the parson's man was at the horse's head; he
caught him by the bridle and forced him to stand still. "Cease your
obstinacy, Torarin!" said the man. "Herr Arne is not yet gone to bed, he
sits waiting for you. And you should know full well that you can have
as good a night's lodging here as anywhere in the parish."
Torarin was about to answer that he could not be served with lodging in
a roofless house. But before speaking