Beside me knelt Erling the heathen, quiet and attentive.
Somewhere about the midst of the service it seemed to grow very still all about us of a sudden.

Then there were the sounds of many men running past the door, and a dull murmur as of voices of a crowd.

The news of the deed of the night had been set going, and it was passing from man to man; and each went to the hall to learn more, for presently none were sure which king had been slain, and then many thought that it was Offa.

Before the service was ended he had to show himself, and at the sight of him a great roar of joy went up, and men were at ease once more--concerning him at least.
When the little service was over I went to the church door and looked out on the courtyard; and the whole place swarmed with folk, for work had been stayed by the news, and none knew what was to be done next.

If one could judge from the looks of those who spoke to one another, there were some strange tales afloat already.