butts hooped round with belts of gold; and from these hung
circlets of silver entwined with them in manifold links. Near these was
found the tusk of a strange beast, tipped at both ends with gold. Close
by was a vast stag-horn, laboriously decked with choice and flashing
gems, and this also did not lack chasing. Hard by was to be seen a very
heavy bracelet. One man was kindled with an inordinate desire for this
bracelet, and laid covetous hands upon the gold, not knowing that the
glorious metal covered deadly mischief, and that a fatal bane lay
hid under the shining spoil. A second also, unable to restrain his
covetousness, reached out his quivering hands to the horn. A third,
matching the confidence of the others, and having no control over his
fingers, ventured to shoulder the tusk. The spoil seemed alike lovely to
look upon and desirable to enjoy, for all that met the eye was fair and
tempting to behold. But the bracelet suddenly took the form of a snake,
and attacked him who was carrying it with its poisoned tooth; the horn
lengthened out into a serpent, and took the life of the man who bore it;
the tusk wrought itself into a sword, and plunged into the vitals of its
bearer.

The rest dreaded the fate of perishing with their friends, and thought
that the guiltless would be destroyed like the guilty; they durst not
hope that even innocence would be safe. Then the side-door of another
room showed them a narrow alcove: and a privy chamber with a yet richer
treasure was revealed, wherein arms were laid out too great for those of
human stature. Among these were seen a royal mantle, a handsome hat, and
a belt marvellously wrought. Thorkill, struck with amazement at these
things, gave rein to his covetousness, and cast off all his purposed
self-restraint. He who so oft had trained others could not so much as
conquer his own cravings. For he laid his hand upon the mantle, and
his rash example tempted the rest to join in his enterprise of plunder.
Thereupon the recess shook from its lowest foundations, and began
suddenly to reel and totter. Straightway the women raised a shriek that
the wicked robbers were being endured too long. Then they, who were
before supposed to be half-dead or lifeless phantoms, seemed to obey the
cries of the women, and, leaping suddenly up from their seats, attacked
the strangers with furious onset. The other creatures bellowed hoarsely.

But Broder and Buchi fell to their old and familiar arts, and