It was a relief to
them when supper was over and the bishop and his principal guests retired
to a private room. The five soldiers were then told that they would not be
required until morning.
Wulf went out to the gate, and learnt from Ulf that he had seen no one
enter whom he took for Fitz-Urse.
"He may have gone in by some other entrance, my lord," he said, "for there
are three or four ways into the palace."
"We shall be on watch inside, Ulf. You need stay no longer. Be here in the
morning at seven."
After the king and queen had retired to bed and the palace was quiet Wulf,
Beorn, and Osgod stole from their room, and noiselessly passed along the
corridors until they came to the king's apartment, and then lay down across
the door. They were to keep watch in turns, Osgod being told to keep the
first watch and to rouse Wulf at midnight. This he did, and Wulf lay for
some time listening intently. The corridor was faintly lit by two lamps,
one at either end. Wulf had chosen the middle watch, because he thought
that if any attempt was made it would be soon after midnight, as the
assassins would wish to have many hours of darkness in which to make their
escape. He knew that Beorn was a sound sleeper, and could scarcely be
trusted to keep awake from midnight until four o'clock, and that it were
best he himself watched during that time.
Half an hour passed, and then he heard a very slight noise.
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