"The next day came. There were only ashes in place of the great
storehouse. There seemed to be no life about the town, for the
people were all dead.

"Suddenly there was a great scurrying, as a tremendous swarm of rats
came rushing out of the ashes. On they came, more and more of them.
They filled the streets, and even made their way into the palace.

"The wicked bishop was filled with fear. He fled from the place and
hurried away over the fields. But, the swarm of rats came rushing
after him. He came to Bingen, where he hoped to be safe within its
walls. Somehow or other, the rats made their way inside.

"There was now only one hope of safety. The bishop fled to a tower
standing in the middle of the Rhine. But it was of no use! The rats
swam the river and made their way up the sides of the tower. Their
sharp teeth gnawed holes through the doors and windows. They entered
in and came to the room where the bishop was hiding."

"Wicked fellow! They killed and ate him as he deserved, didn't
they?" asked Bertha.

"There wasn't much left of him in a few minutes. But the tower still
stands, and you can see it if you ever go to Bingen, although it is a
crumbling old pile now."

"Rats' Tower is a good name for it. But I would rather hear about
enchanted princesses and brave knights than wicked old bishops. Tell
me another story, Hans."