This speech was flouted by those who heard; for it seemed senseless, though really it expressly avowed the truth.
Feng now suspected that his stepson was certainly full of guile, and desired to make away with him, but durst not do the deed for fear of the displeasure, not only of Amleth's grandsire Rorik, but also of his own wife.

So he thought that the King of Britain should be employed to slay him, so that another could do the deed, and he be able to feign innocence.

Thus, desirous to hide his cruelty, he chose rather to besmirch his friend than to bring disgrace on his own head.

Amleth, on departing, gave secret orders to his mother to hang the hall with woven knots, and to perform pretended obsequies for him a year thence; promising that he would then return.

Two retainers of Feng then accompanied him, bearing a letter graven on wood--a kind of writing material frequent in old times; this letter enjoined the king of the Britons to put to death the youth who was sent over to him.