Alberich did not like to have them see him under Wotan's foot.

"Heap up the treasure!" he yelled. "Don't stop to stare at me. I am
still your master. Now, crawl back into your shafts and drudge. I am
coming in a minute, and it will not be well for you if I do not find
you digging!"

Trembling with fear, they scurried to the darkest depths.

"Now, there is your gold!" said Alberich. "Give back my helmet and let
me go!"

But Loki quickly tossed the helmet upon the shining heap.

"Take it, then," snarled the dwarf, thinking he could easily, with the
power of the ring, force Mimi to make another, "but let me go, I say!"

"Just wait a minute, Alberich," said Wotan. "That ring I saw glittering
on your finger,--I must have that too."

"The ring!" Alberich screamed in horror. "No, you shall never have the
ring!"

Wotan's face grew stern.

"That ring does not belong to you. You stole its gold from the
Rhine-children," he said.

"Think twice, Wotan, before you take this ring from me! I warn you now a
curse goes with it."