There has been no wreck, lord, save
yours, and the prince will ever have treasure."
Now a sudden heat of rage seemed to fall on Dalfin, and he cried
aloud to the men:
"Hearken, fools! It is not to be said that the prince was wrecked
like a fisher churl. There has been no wreck--if there has been,
there was no treasure. Mind you that."
"Lord," said the man, trembling, "I cannot tell if aught was told
the Lochlannoch. We have said naught to them, not having seen
them."
"Dalfin," I said, with a great chill on me, "ask if they know the
name of the leader of these men."
He changed colour, for I think that the knowledge of what I feared
came to him in a flash. He asked, and the man at his feet muttered
what was meant for the name of Heidrek. He said it once or twice,
stammering, but I knew it, and Bertric caught it also.
"What is it that the man says?" he asked quickly. He had been
content to wait until presently to hear what the news was, until
this came to his ears.
"What you feared," I answered. "Heidrek treasure hunting."
Dalfin turned to us now, and his face was troubled.
"Malcolm," he said, "you have heard all this. It is a mere chance
if Heidrek has not heard of the wreck by this time. Now, it will be
best for you to bring Gerda across here at once, and so let these
men take you to a hiding in the hills.
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