Then the carle said, "Another cup for the longer after youth!" Hallblithe filled, and gave to him, and the old man drank and said: "Thou deemest us all liars in the Isle of Ransom because of thy beguiling by the Puny Fox: but therein thou errest.

The Puny Fox is our chiefest liar, and doth for us the more part of such work as we need: therefore, why should we others lie.

Ask, ask!" "Well then," said Hallblithe, "why did the Puny Fox bewray me, and at whose bidding ?" Said the elder: "I know, but I will not tell thee.

Is this a lie ?" "Nay, I deem it not," said Hallblithe: "But, tell me, is it verily true that my trothplight is not here, that I may ransom her ?" Said the Long-hoary: "I swear it by the Treasure of the Sea, that she is not here: the tale was but a lie of the Puny Fox.".