But Ulrika immediately asked, "Is his body still in the house?"
Svensen looked at her darkly. "Hast thou never heard Ulrika," he said
solemnly, "that the bodies of men who follow Olaf Gueldmar's creed,
disappear as soon as the life departs from them? It is a
mystery--strange and terrible! But this is true--my master's
sailing-ship has gone, and his body with it--and I know not where!"
Ulrika surveyed him steadily with a slow, incredulous smile. After a
pause, she said--
"Fidelity in a servant is good, Valdemar Svensen! I know you well--I
also know that a pagan shrinks from Christian burial. Enough said--I
will ask no more--but if Olaf Gueldmar's ship's has gone, and he with
it,--I warn you, the village will wonder."
"I cannot help it," said Svensen with cold brevity. "I have spoken
truth--he has gone! I saw him die--and then vanish. Believe it or not as
you will, I care not!"
And he drove on in silence. Ulrika was silent too.
She had known Valdemar Svensen for many years--he was a man universally
liked and respected at all the harbors and different fishing-stations of
Norway, and his life was an open book to everybody, with the exception
of one page, which was turned down and sealed,--this was the question of
his religious belief.
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