's
husband. He had ears and mind only for Hagen's wily words.

"While this man lives," said the dark-browed chief, "none of us are
safe. See how the people follow him! Hear how they shout at his coming!
They look upon him as a god, and upon Gunther as a nobody. If we are
wise, we shall rid ourselves of so dangerous a man."

"It is but a week until he takes his leave of us, and goes back to his
own home in Nibelungen Land. Watch him carefully until that time, but do
him no harm. When he is once gone, he shall never come back again," said
the king. But he spoke thus, not because of any kind feelings towards
Siegfried, but rather because he feared the Nibelungen hero.

"He has no thought of going at that time," answered Hagen. "He speaks of
it, only to hide his wicked and traitorous plots. Instead of going home,
his plans will then be ready for action, and it will be too late for
us to save ourselves. Still, if you will not believe me, take your own
course. You have been warned."

The cunning chief arose to leave the room; but Gunther, now thoroughly
frightened, stopped him.

"Hagen," he said, "you have always been my friend, and the words which
you say are wise. Save us and our kingdom now, in whatsoever way you may
deem best. I know not what to do."

Then the weak king and the warrior-chief talked long together in low,
hoarse whispers. And, when they parted, shame and guilt were stamped in
plain lines on Gunther's face, from which they were nevermore erased;
and he dared not lift his gaze from the floor, fearing that his eyes
would betray him, if seen by any more pure-hearted than he. But a smile
of triumph played under the lurking gleams of Hagen's eye; and he walked
erect and bold, as if he had done a praiseworthy deed.

That night a storm came sweeping down from the North, and the cold rain
fell in torrents; and great hailstones pattered on the roofs and towers
of the castle, and cruelly pelted the cattle in the fields, and the
birds in the friendly shelter of the trees. And old Thor fought
bravely with the Storm-giants; and all night long the rattle of his
chariot-wheels, and the heavy strokes of his dread hammer, were heard
resounding through the heavens. In his lonely chamber Hagen sat and
rubbed his hands together, and grimly smiled.

"The time so long waited for has come at last," he said.

But the guilty king, unable to sleep, walked restlessly to and fro, and
trembled with fear at every sound of the s