of their royal
master. Once more they returned with the information that none was to
be seen. When the bell rang for the third time the Emperor himself rose
from the table and went outside to satisfy himself as to the ringer's
identity. This time the mystery was solved; for twining round the pillar
was a great snake, which, before the astonished eyes of the Emperor and
his suite, was lustily pulling the bell-rope.

"Bring the snake before me," said Charlemagne. "Whether to man or beast,
I may not refuse justice."

Accordingly the snake was conducted with much ceremony into the
Emperor's presence, where it was distinctly observed to make a low
obeisance. The Kaiser addressed the animal courteously, as though it
were a human being, and inquired what it wanted. Whereupon the snake
made a sign which the company took to indicate that it desired the
Emperor to follow it. Charlemagne did not hesitate, but followed the
creature to the shores of the lake, attended by all his courtiers.
Straight to its nest went the snake, and there, among the eggs, was an
enormous toad, puffing out its bloated body and staring with glassy eyes
at the company. The reason for the snake's appeal was at once apparent.

"Take away that toad," said the Emperor, as gravely as though he were
pronouncing judgment in an important human case; "take away that toad
and burn it. It has taken unlawful possession of the snake's nest."

The court listened to the Emperor's decree in respectful silence, and
immediately carried out the sentence. The company thereupon re-entered
the royal abode, and thought no more of the incident.

On the following day, however, at about the same hour, the serpent
entered the chamber in which Charlemagne sat, and glided swiftly toward
the table. The attendants were somewhat astonished at the unexpected
appearance, but the Kaiser motioned to them to stand aside, for he was
very curious to see what the reptile would do. Raising itself till
its head was on a level with the table, it dropped into his plate a
magnificent diamond of the first water, gleaming with the purest light.
This done, the serpent bowed low, as on the previous occasion, and
quitted the room as silently as it had entered.

The diamond, set in a gold ring of exquisite workmanship, Charlemagne
presented to his wife, the beautiful Fastrada. But besides being a thing
of beauty and of great value, the diamond was also a charm, for
whoever received it from another r