"Take me into the house." "What is amiss ?" he asked, hesitating.

"Is the king dead ?" "Nay, worse than that," I answered shortly, and the officer stared at me in horror.
"Oh, fool!" I said; "Cnut is landed, and it is Eadmund only who can save our land.

Let me to him." The warrior clutched his sword hilt with a sort of groan, and turned and took me into the house without a word.

We went across the great hall, where the housecarles slept around the walls, sword under pillow, and spear at side.

They raised their heads when their captain spoke the watchword, and looked at me curiously, but did not stir more than enough for that.