Going nearer to the child, he saw close beside it the broken pieces of
Siegmund's sword.

Mimi picked up the pieces and looked at them.

"The finest piece of steel I ever saw," he chuckled, as he ran his
fingers carefully along the keen edges.

Then he cried aloud in joy.

"At last I have found the hero! This little baby is the son of some
valiant warrior. These are the broken pieces of the warrior's sword.
Such luck for Mimi!

"The boy will be a warrior like his father. I shall take him to my cave
and take good care of him.

"When he is grown up I will make him pay me for my care and pains. He
shall slay the dragon. Then I will take the ring."

He lifted the little baby as gently as he knew how, and started toward
his cave.

Again he heard the same strange voice:--

"Siegfried is his name, and only he who knows no fear can mend the
sword."

"Ha! ha!" chuckled Mimi. "That voice does not know what a skillful