And in the light from the council chamber I saw that the face of my comrade was white as death.
"Where is Ethelbert the king ?" he said, almost wildly, and clutching my arm.
"In his chamber," I answered.

"All is well.

I saw him there not ten minutes ago." "How can that be?
It is not that time ago since he stood by me on the rampart, where I walked alone, and spoke to me." "It was some one else like him," I said.

"He is going to sleep." But Erling stared beyond me, and grew yet paler.

I saw the black rims grow round his eyes.