He staked his child on the desperate cast; he called Death and the Devil to see that he kept his word:--but hush! the boy is again moaning.

Let me bring the dark tale quickly to a close.
Biorn commanded his followers to strike, casting on them those fierce looks which have gained him the title of Biorn of the Fiery Eyes; while at the same time the two frightful strangers bestirred themselves very busily.

Then Verena called out, with piercing anguish, 'Help, O God, my Saviour!' Those two dreadful figures disappeared; and the knight and his retainers, as if seized with blindness, rushed wildly one against the other, but without doing injury to themselves, or yet being able to strike the merchants, who ran so close a risk.

They bowed reverently towards Verena, and with calm thanksgivings departed through the castle-gates, which at that moment had been burst open by a violent gust of wind, and now gave a free passage to any who would go forth.

The lady and I were yet standing bewildered on the stairs, when I fancied I saw the two fearful forms glide close by me, but mist-like and unreal.
Verena called to me: 'Rolf, did you see a tall pale man, and a little hideous one with him, pass just now up the staircase ?' I flew after them; and found, alas, the poor boy in the same state in which you saw him a few hours ago.