The doorway was not so high that I could see into it without stooping, for it was partly choked with the fallen earth, and I bent to look in.

But I could only see for a few feet into the passage, as I looked from light to darkness.
"Ho, Jarl Sigurd! what would you?
Why have you opened your door thus ?" Very hollow my voice sounded, and that was all.
"Sigurd of Orkney--Sigurd, son of Rognvald--I am the son of Vemund your friend.

Speak to me!" There was no answer.

A bit of earth crumbled from the broken side of the mound and made me start, but I saw nothing.

So I stepped away from the door and back to my comrade, who had edged nearer the place, though his face showed that he feared greatly.
"I think that the mound has been rifled," I said.