rmond, brother-in-law to the Emperor. He has
persecuted the poor and betrayed the innocent to death. If he could, he
would take the life of the Emperor himself, to whom he owes all. Let us
repair thither."

Near their destination they tied their horses to a tree and strode
across the fields. On the way Charlemagne wrenched off the iron share
from a plough, remarking that it would be an excellent tool wherewith to
bore a hole in the castle wall--a remark which his comrade received in
silence, though not without surprise. When they arrived at the castle
Elbegast seemed anxious to see the ploughshare at work, for he begged
Charlemagne to begin operations.

"I know not how to find entrance," said the latter.

"Let us make a hole in the wall," the robber-knight suggested, producing
a boring instrument of great strength. The Emperor gallantly set to
work with his ploughshare, though, as the wall was ten feet thick, it
is hardly surprising that he was not successful. The robber, laughing
at his comrade's inexperience, showed him a wide chasm which his boring
instrument had made, and bade him remain there while he fetched the
spoil. In a very short time he returned with as much plunder as he could
carry.

"Let us get away," said the Emperor. "We can carry no more."

"Nay," said Elbegast, "but I would return, with your permission. In
the chamber occupied by Eggerich and his wife there is a wonderful
caparison, made of gold and covered with little bells. I want to prove
my skill by carrying it off."

"As you will," was Charlemagne's laughing response.

Without a sound Elbegast reached the bedchamber of his victim, and was
about to raise the caparison when he suddenly stumbled and all the bells
rang out clearly.

"My sword, my sword!" cried Eggerich, springing up, while Elbegast sank
back into the shadows.

"Nay," said the lady, trying to calm her husband. "You did but hear the
wind, or perhaps it was an evil dream. Thou hast had many evil dreams
of late, Eggerich; methinks there is something lies heavily on thy mind.
Wilt thou not tell thy wife?"

Elbegast listened intently while with soft words and caresses the lady
strove to win her husband's secret.

"Well," said Eggerich at last in sullen tones, "we have laid a plot, my
comrades and I. To-morrow we go to Ingelheim, and ere noon Charlemagne
shall be slain and his lands divided among us."

"What!" shrieked the lady. "Murder my brother! That will you never
while