Erling can be hidden in the town easily." So said Witred, and with that he would wait no more.

We heard men coming up the hall, and though it was most likely but the thanes who should relieve those who had watched during the night, there was no more delay.

Sighard shook hands with me as if he would set all that he wanted to say into that grasp, and then they passed down the passage once more and were gone.
For a while I waited, fearing lest I should hear the sounds of a fight at the far end, but no noise came.

But just as I was about to set the trapdoor back in its place I heard footsteps, and stayed.
They came from whence my friends had gone.
It was Erling.

He came into the pit, set his hands on the edge of the floor, and swung himself up sailorwise.
"I did but go to see that they got away safely," he said.