side, I pray you, for Kriemhild's sake. I know that I merit Queen
Brunhild's anger, because of the sharp words I lately spoke to her; but
let not my husband suffer blame for that which is my fault alone."

"Kriemhild," answered Hagen, "no one shall suffer blame,--neither
Siegfried nor yourself. We are all forgetful, and sometimes speak hasty
words; but that which we say in angry thoughtlessness should not be
cherished up against us. There is no one who thinks more highly of
Siegfried than I, and there is nothing I would not do to serve him."

"I should not fear for him," said she, "if he were not so bold and
reckless. When he is in the battle, he never thinks of his own safety.
And I tremble lest at some time he may dare too much, and meet his
death. If you knew every thing, as I do, you would fear for him too."

"What is it?" asked Hagen, trying to hide his eagerness,--"what is it
that gives you cause for fear? Tell me all about it, and then I will
know the better how to shield him from danger. I will lay down my life
for his sake."

Then Kriemhild, trusting in her uncle's word, and forgetful of every
caution, told him the secret of the dragon's blood, and of Siegfried's
strange bath, and of the mischief-working lime-leaf.

"And now," she added, "since I know that there is one spot which a
deadly weapon might reach, I am in constant fear that the spear of
an enemy may, perchance, strike him there. Is there not some way of
shielding that spot?"

"There is," answered Hagen. "Make some mark, or put some sign, upon his
coat, that I may know where that spot is. And, when the battle rages, I
will ride close behind him, and ward off every threatened stroke."

And Kriemhild joyfully promised that she would at once embroider a
silken lime-leaf on the hero's coat, just over the fatal spot. And
Hagen, well pleased, bade her farewell, and went away.

Without delay the chief sought the weak-minded Gunther, and to him he
related all that the trustful Kriemhild had told him. And, until the
midnight hour, the two plotters sat in the king's bed-chamber, and laid
their cunning plans. Both thought it best, now they had learned the
fatal secret, to give up the sham march against the North-kings, and to
seek by other and easier means to lure Siegfried to his death.

"The chiefs will be much displeased," said Gunther. "For all will come,
ready to march at the rising of the sun. What shall we do to please
them, and make them more re