So much heed for honour did he think that he must take in all things.

As he rode up close, the king attacked him just under the porch of the folding doors, and would have thrust him through with his javelin, but that the hard shirt of mail threw off the blade.

Amleth received a slight wound, and went to the spot where he had bidden the Scottish warriors wait on duty.

He then sent back to the king his new wife's spy, whom he had captured.

This man was to bear witness that he had secretly taken from the coffer where it was kept the letter which was meant for his mistress, and thus was to make the whole blame recoil on Hermutrude, by this studied excuse absolving Amleth from the charge of treachery.