About four o'clock
Joel placed himself at the horse 's head , and the little party started for Dal . The return trip was a gay one , at least on the part of the traveler , who already seemed to consider himself an old friend of the Hansen family . Before they reached their destination they found themselves calling their companion M. Silvius ; and that gentleman unceremoniously called them Hulda and Joel , as if their acquaintance had been one of long standing . About four o'clock the little belfry of Dal became visible through the trees , and a few minutes afterward the horse stopped in front of the inn . The traveler alighted from the kariol , though not without considerable difficulty . Dame Hansen hastened to the door to receive him , and though he did not ask for the best room in the house , it was given to him all the same . Sylvius Hogg was the name that the stranger inscribed upon the inn register , that same evening , directly underneath the name of Sandgoist , and there was as great a contrast between the two names as between the men that bore them .