Now these men used to receive folk hospitably and then murder them, but were skilful to hide their brigandage under a show of generosity.

For they had hung on certain hidden chains, in a lofty part of the house, an oblong beam like a press, and furnished it with a steel point; they used to lower this in the night by letting down the fastenings, and cut off the heads of those that lay below.

Many had they beheaded in this way with the hanging mass.

So when Ebb and his men had been feasted abundantly, the servants laid them out a bed near the hearth, so that by the swing of the treacherous beam they might mow off their heads, which faced the fire.
When they departed, Ebb, suspecting the contrivance slung overhead, told his men to feign slumber and shift their bodies, saying that it would be very wholesome for them to change their place.
Now among these were some who despised the orders which the others obeyed, and lay unmoved, each in the spot where he had chanced to lie down.

Then towards the mirk of night the heavy hanging machine was set in motion by the doers of the treachery.