He will doubt me next, maybe." He laughed lightly, and I went away down the street with a troubled mind, and was willing to get back to my lodgings through the dusk as quickly as I might.
And when I came there I put on my mail, as the lady had bidden me--rather blaming myself for doing so for all that, for it seemed to show fear of somewhat that I could not name.
Then I thought of the goldsmith again, and sent a man for him, thinking that he could do the work here in hall, so that I could be sure of having the scabbard, which was very valuable, when I rode away.
When he came I showed him what I would have done, and he said that it was no long business, and took his tools into a corner and lighted a wax taper and began to work by its light.

The sword stood by my chair as I ate my supper at the head of the long tables where my men sat.
The goldsmith ended his work soon after the men had gone out to the stables to tend their horses for the night, and only he and I and my headman Thrand were left in the hall.

He had put a flat band of chased gold round the scabbard, and the silver penny showed through a round setting that was in it.
I gave him one of the gold pieces that Earl Wulfnoth had taken from the treasure for me, and the man weighed it, wondering at its weight and fineness.

Then he said that he was overpaid, and must give me money for the overweight, and asked that one should go back to his house with him and return with it.
"There were men lurking in the porches and on the bridge," he said, "when I came down here.

I suppose there will be a fray when they meet the men they wait for, so I fear to go back alone.