Guessing, therefore, that the message
was one that should be delivered in private, he bade the boy follow him
from the forge and took him into the room above.
"What is it you would say to me, Ulf? Mind, I wish to hear nothing about
any private matter in which you may be engaged either by Wulf or Osgod.
They are both away and may not return for a month or more. I judged the
matter was a private one, as Osgod said nought of it to me."
"The matter is a private one, master, but as they are away I would fain
take your counsel on it."
The armourer shook his head decidedly. "I can listen to nought about it,
boy. It can be no business of mine, and unless he has given you license to
speak I would not on any account meddle with the affairs of the young
thane, who is a good lord to my son."
"That he has not done, sir; but I pray you to hear me," he added urgently
as the armourer was turning to leave the room. "It is a matter that may
touch the safety of our lord the king."
The armourer stopped. "Art well assured of what you say, Ulf?"
"For myself I can say nothing, master, but the young thane told me that he
had fears that some attempt or other might be made from the other side of
the sea against the king's life, and that although he had no strong
grounds, he thought that Walter Fitz-Urse, who had just returned here,
might be concerned in it, he having reasons for enmity against the king.
Therefore he appointed me to watch him.
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