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 Charlemagnes 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 husbands 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 I have strength to warn him. But the villain, with a brutal oath, struck her so fiercely in the face that the blood gushed out, and she sank back unconscious.
The robber was not in a position to avenge the cruel act, but he crawled nearer the couch and caught some of the blood in his gauntlet, for a sign to the Emperor. When he was once more outside the castle he told his companion all that had passed and made as though to return.
I will strike off his head, said he. The Emperor is no friend of mine, but I love him still.
What is the Emperor to us? cried Charlemagne. Are you mad that you risk our lives for the Emperor? The black knight looked at him solemnly.
An we had not sworn friendship, said he, your life should pay for these words. Long live the Emperor! Charlemagne, secretly delighted with the loyalty of the outlawed knight, recommended him to seek the Emperor on the morrow and warn him of his danger. But Elbegast, fearing the gallows, would not consent to this; so his companion promised to do it in his stead and meet him afterward in the forest. With that they parted, the Emperor returning to his palace, where he found all as he had left it.