vowed to spend the next three days in
arms, a measure which Dietrich openly approves, informing Kriemhild to
her very face that he is sure she means no good.

_29th Adventure._ Although the three royal brothers accompany
Kriemhild into the palace, Hagen lingers at the door, and, inviting
the minstrel Volker to sit on the bench beside him, confides to him
his fears, entreating him to stand by him, and promising to do the
same in his behalf should the need occur.

"Tell me now, friend Volker, will you stand me by,
If these men of Kriemhild's would my mettle try?
Show me, if you love me, faithful friend and true!
And when you need my service I'll do as much for you."

On seeing her foe so close at hand, Kriemhild summons four hundred
warriors, and bids them attack Hagen, for at present _he_ is the only
one against whom she has sinister designs. To prove to the men that
Hagen is guilty, she offers to meet and question her foe in their
presence. On seeing her coming, Volker suggests they rise in token of
respect, but Hagen grimly rejoins Kriemhild would merely take such
politeness as a proof of weakness. Instead of rising, he therefore
ostentatiously lays Siegfried's sword across his lap. After taunting
Hagen with slaying her husband,--a charge he does not deny,--Kriemhild
orders her men to slay him, but a single glance of his fiery eyes
sends them back cringing, and the queen cannot prevail upon them to
renew the attack. Seeing this, Volker and Hagen boldly join their
friends in the banquet-hall, where Etzel--who is depicted as an
inoffensive, unsuspicious old man--cordially bids them welcome.

_30th Adventure._ On their way to their sleeping quarters that night,
the Burgundians are jostled by some Huns, who, instigated by
Kriemhild, are evidently seeking to provoke a quarrel. In spite of
their efforts, however, the Burgundians reach their dormitory in
safety, where Hagen and Volker watch all night at the door to guard
against surprise. It is well for them they do so, because at midnight
Kriemhild dispatches a force to attack them, but again the Huns shrink
away appalled on meeting Hagen's menacing glance.

_31st Adventure._ At dawn the Burgundians, still fully armed, march
off to church, and after service proceed with the king and queen to
view a tournament held in their honor. In these games Rudiger and
Dietrich both refuse to take part, lest an accident should occur.
Their previsions are justified, for, wh