The next day he heard that the barn had burned to the ground during the
night. No doubt sparks had fallen from the torch that had lit him
while he was hanging up his watch.
This so overwhelmed him that he kept his room all day like a sick man,
brought out his hymn-book, and sang until the people in the house
thought he had gone mad. But in the evening he went out; it was bright
moonlight. He walked to his brother's place, dug in the ground where
the fire had been, and found, as he had expected, a little melted lump
of gold. It was the watch.
It was with this in his tightly closed hand that he went in to his
brother, imploring peace, and was about to explain everything.
A little girl had seen him digging in the ashes, some boys on their way
to a dance had noticed him going down toward the place the preceding
Sunday evening; the people in the house where he lived testified how
curiously he had acted on Monday, and as every one knew that he and his
brother were bitter enemies, information was given and a suit
instituted.
No one could prove anything against Baard, but suspicion rested on him.
Less than ever, now, did he feel able to approach his brother.
Anders had thought of Baard when the barn was burned, but had spoken of
it to no one. When he saw him enter his room, the following evening,
pale and excited, he immediately thought: "Now he is smitten with
remorse, but for such a terrible crime against his brother he shall
have no forgiveness.
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