But Loki knew the power of flattering words.

"Beautiful queen," said he, "there is no one on earth, nor
even in Asgard, who can equal you in wisdom and foresight.
Yet I promise you, that, if you will but lend me your net
until the morning dawns, the ship and the crew of which you
speak shall be yours, and all their golden treasures shall
deck your azure halls in the deep sea."

Then Ran carefully folded the net, and gave it to Loki.

"Remember your promise," was all that she said.

"An Asa never forgets," he answered.

And he turned his face again towards Rhineland; and the
magic shoes bore him aloft, and carried him in a moment back
to the ice-mountain and the gorge and the infant river,
which he had so lately left. The salmon still rested in his
place, and had not moved during Loki's short absence.

Loki unfolded the net, and cast it into the stream. The
cunning fish tried hard to avoid being caught in its meshes;
but, dart which way he would, he met the skilfully woven
cords, and these drew themselves around him, and held him
fast. Then Loki pulled the net up out of the water, and
grasped the helpless fish in his right hand. But, lo! as he
held the struggling creature high in the air, it was no
longer a fish, but the cunning dwarf Andvari.