Better for him if you had." "I wonder not," said Hubba.

"The man is fit for naught; I could not lay hand on such a cur." I had no answer to make after that, for the warrior spoke my own thoughts, and I held my peace as they took me to the further side of the hearth, past the fire, beyond which I had not yet been able to see.
Then I knew how Beorn had been made to speak the truth.

They had tortured him, and there was no strength left in him at all, so that I almost started back from the cruel marks that he bore.

Yet I had things to hear from him, now that he had no need to speak falsely, and I went to his side.

The two jarls stood and looked at him unmoved.
"The justice of Ulfkytel is on you, Beorn," I said slowly; "there is no need to hide aught.