NILS LYKKE. Ay, right; I am he.
NILS STENSSON. He was to tell me what more I had to do. Moreover,
I was to let him know that the Count was dead of a sudden, but
that as yet 'twas known to no one save to his mother the Countess,
together with Peter Kanzler and a few old servants of the Stures.
NILS LYKKE. I understand. The Count was the peasants' rallying-
point. Were the tidings of his death to spread, they would fall
asunder,--and the whole project would come to nought.
NILS STENSSON. Ay, maybe so; I know little of such matters.
NILS LYKKE. But how came you to give yourself out for the Count?
NILS STENSSON. How came I to----? Nay, what know I? Many's
the mad prank I've hit on in my day. And yet 'twas not I hit on
it neither; wherever I appeared in the Dales, the people crowded
round me and greeted me as Count Sture. Deny it as I pleased,
--'twas wasted breath. The Count had been there two years before,
they said--and the veriest child knew me again. Well, be it so,
thought I; never again will you be a Count in this life; why not
try what 'tis like for once?
NILS LYKKE. Well,--and what did you more?
NILS STENSSON. I? I ate and drank and took my ease. Pity 'twas
that I must away again so soon. But when I set forth across the
frontier--ha-ha-ha--I promised them I would soon be back with three
or four thousand men--I know not how many I said--and then we would
lay on in earnest.
NILS LYKKE. And you did not bethink you that you were acting
rashly?
NILS STENSSON. Ay, afterwards; but then, to be sure, 'twas too
late.
NILS LYKKE. It grieves me for you, my young friend; but you
will soon come to feel the effects of your folly. Let me tell
you that you are pursued. A troop of Swedish men-at-arms is out
after you.
NILS STENSSON. After me? Ha-ha-ha. Nay, that is rare! And
when they come and think they have Count Sture in their clutches--
ha-ha-ha!
NILS LYKKE (gravely). ----Then farewell to your life.
NILS STENSSON. My----? But I am not Count Sture.
NILS LYKKE. You have called the people to arms. You have given
seditious promises, and raised troubles in the land.
NILS STENSSON. Ay, but 'twas only in jest!
NILS LYKKE. King Gustav will scarce look on the matter in that
light.
NILS STENSSON. Truly, there is something in what you say. To
think I could be such a madman---- ---- Well well, I'm not a
dead man yet! You will protect me; and besides--the men-at-arms
can scarce be at my heels.
NILS LYKKE. But what else have you to tell me?
NILS STENSSON. I? Nothing. When once I have given you the
packet----
NILS LYKKE (unguardedly). The packet?