countess fraukirk ... hidden behind a curtain ... overheard every word . ] next day a boat went speeding over the narrow channel of water that separates pomona ( on the mainland ) from hoy . in it sat a woman , but who she was , or what she was like , no one could say , for she was covered from head to foot with a black cloak , and her face was hidden behind a thick , dark veil . snorro the dwarf knew her , even before she laid aside her trappings , for countess fraukirk was no stranger to him . in the course of her long life she had often had occasion to seek his aid to help her in her evil deeds , and she had always paid him well for his services in yellow gold . he therefore welcomed her gladly ; but when he had heard the nature of her errand his smiling face grew grave again , and he shook his head . " i have served thee well , lady , in the past , " he said , " but methinks that this thing goeth beyond my courage . for to compass an earl 's death is a weighty matter , especially when he is so well beloved as is the earl paul . " " thou knowest why i have taken up my abode in this lonely spot -- how i hope some day to light upon the magic carbuncle . thou knowest also how the people fear me , and hate me too , forsooth . and if the young earl died , and suspicion fell on me , i must needs fly the island , for my life would not be worth a grain of sand . then my chance of success would be gone . nay ! i can not do it , lady ; i can not do it . "
why did countess fraukirk often meet with snorro the dwarf ?
seek his aid to help her in her evil deeds .
to get his help to kill paul .