Now you know that it will be best for you to
be secret and sure. Not much worth will your chance of escape from
torture be if this becomes known. But you know also that the reward is
certain."
"The king!" cried my father, with a sort of gasp of surprise.
I could almost think that I saw him staring with mouth agape as would a
silly thrall; for so well had he taken the thrall's part that had I not
known who was speaking all the time, I had certainly had no doubt that
one was there.
"Come to Hodulf, the king, and pray for freedom and your gold as a boon
of his goodness, saying naught else, or making what tale you will of a
hard master, or justice, so that you speak naught of what you have done,
and that---and maybe more---shall be granted."
"You yourself will speak for me?"
"I am the king---and think not that the darkness will prevent my
knowing your face again," Hodulf replied.
There was a threat in the words, and with them he turned his horse and
rode away quickly northwards. I heard the hoofs of his men's horses
rattle on the road as they joined him, before he had gone far.
When the sounds died away altogether, and there was no fear of his
coming back suddenly on us, my father whistled and I joined him. He
almost started to find how near I was.
"You have heard all, then?" he said.
"Every word," I answered, "and I like it not.
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