But none knew where he was.
I knew now that it was well that Hertha and I should not meet till all was broken off, for her I could not love, and she knew nought of me.

Yet for her sake I set the Wormingford thralls at work in the like manner as my own people were busied, that she might find withal to build her own house place afresh, when, if ever, she should return.
Now, one day as I stood watching the shaping of the timber for the first framing of my hall, Thrand came back.

He ran to me when he saw me, and cried: "Master all is avenged! Streone the traitor is no more." I took him away to a quiet place, for this news was strange, and the thralls were listening wonderingly, and I asked him how this came about.
"Master, I slew him myself," he said grimly.
Then said I: "By subtlety--after his own manner ?" "Not so, master.

But even in Cnut's own presence." So I was amazed, and bade him tell all.
"When I left you, master," he said, "I took service with Jarl Thorkel.

Then he went to court in London, even as I hoped, for that was all I needed, and presently came Streone with a great train to see Cnut.