Koenigstrasse, Hamburg, 1864
Professor Von Hardwigg has just acquired an ancient manuscript long thought lost. He shows it to his nephew, Harry.
It is the Heims-Kringla of Snorre Tarleson, the celebrated Icelandic author of the twelfth-century - a true and correct account of the Norwegian princes who reigned in Iceland.
A small scrap of parchment falls out from between of the leaves. It is covered in mysterious runes!
Harry and the Professor translate the runes, but the text makes no sense. Is the Professor on the verge of a marvelous discovery or is it all an elaborate joke? Harry has his doubts but the Professor takes a powerful magnifying glass and examines the book carefully. On the fly leaf he finds the signature of Arne Saknussemm, a learned professor of the sixteenth century and a celebrated Icelandic alchemist.
Greatly encouraged, the Professor tries to translate the runes once more. Harry hands him the result of his dictation.