"I know what you wish," said Siegfried at last. "You think
that I am the prince of whom the weird sisters spoke; and
you would have me slay the dragon Fafnir, and win for you
the hoard of Andvari."

"It is even so," answered Regin.

"But the hoard is accursed," said the lad.

"Let the curse be upon me," was the answer. "Is not the
wisdom of the ages mine? And think you that I cannot escape
the curse? Is there aught that can prevail against him who
has all knowledge and the wealth of the world at his call?"

"Nothing but the word of the Norns and the will of the
All-Father," answered Siegfried.

"But will you help me?" asked Regin, almost wild with
earnestness. "Will you help me to win that which is
rightfully mine, and to rid the world of a horrible evil?"

"Why is the hoard of Andvari more thine than Fafnir's?"

"He is a monster, and he keeps the treasure but to gloat
upon its glittering richness. I will use it to make myself a
name upon the earth. I will not hoard it away. But I am
weak, and he is strong and terrible. Will you help me?"

"To-morrow," said Siegfried, "be ready to go with me to the