(1) Frode alone refused to believe in their death; and he went and inquired of a woman skilled in divination where they were hid.

So potent were her spells, that she seemed able, at any distance, to perceive anything, however intricately locked away, and to summon it out to light.

She declared that one Ragnar had secretly undertaken to rear them, and had called them by the names of dogs to cover the matter.

When the young men found themselves dragged from their hiding by the awful force of her spells, and brought before the eyes of the enchantress, loth to be betrayed by this terrible and imperious compulsion, they flung into her lap a shower of gold which they had received from their guardians.

When she had taken the gift, she suddenly feigned death, and fell like one lifeless.