ts, when they saw that the mighty King no longer
breathed, laid him on a shield of gold, and when night fell they
carried him thus, back to the royal city.

When Kriemhild knew that her lord, King Siegfried, was dead, bitter
were her tears. Full well did she know that it was Hagen who had slain
him, and greatly did she bemoan her foolishness in telling the grim
counsellor the secret known to her alone.

The body of the great hero was laid in a coffin of gold and silver and
carried to the Minster. Then when the days of mourning were over, the
old King Siegmund and his warriors went sadly back to the Netherlands.

But Kriemhild stayed at Worms, and for thirteen years she mourned the
loss of her dear lord.

Her sufferings, during these years, were made the greater through the
greed of Hagen. For at the cruel warrior's bidding, Gunther went to
the Queen and urged her to send for the treasure of the Nibelungs.

'It shall be guarded for thy use in the royal city,' said the King.

In her grief Kriemhild cared little where the treasure was kept; and
seeing this, her brother sent in her name to command that it should be
brought to Worms.

No sooner, however, did it reach the city than it was seized upon by
Hagen the traitor, and Kriemhild's wealth was no longer her own.

That henceforth it might be secure from every one save himself and
King Gunther, Hagen buried the great treasure beneath the fast-flowing
river Rhine.

When thirteen years had passed away, Kriemhild married Etzel, the
powerful King of the Huns, and then at last Hagen began to fear. Would
the lady to whom he had been so false punish him now that she was
again a mighty Queen?

The years passed by, and Hagen was beginning to forget his fears when
heralds came from Etzel, the King of the Huns, bidding King Gunther
and his knights come visit Queen Kriemhild in her distant home. The
command of Etzel was obeyed.

But no sooner did Hagen stand before her throne than Kriemhild
commanded him to give her back the hidden treasure. This the grim
counsellor refused to do.

'Then shalt not thou nor any of thy company return to Burgundy,' cried
Kriemhild.

And as the Queen said, so it was, for the warriors of King Etzel
fought with the warriors of King Gunther, until after a grievous
slaughter not one Burgundian was left alive. Thus after many years was
King Siegfried's death avenged by Queen Kriemhild.

* * * * *

En