But Teja held him fast by the shoulder. "Remain!" he cried, "he cannot be helped." As Hildebad was struggling to get loose, the noise of voices was heard from the other end of the lane of tents; two sentries were trying in vain to stop a strong Goth, who, covered with all the signs of a long and hard ride, tried to get to the King's tent. "Let me go, good friend," he cried, "or I will strike thee down!" And he threateningly lifted a heavy club. "It cannot be. Thou must wait. The leaders are with him in his tent." "And if all the gods of Walhalla, together with the Lord Christ, were in his tent, I must go to him!" "I know that voice," cried Earl Teja, advancing, "and the man. Wachis! what seekest thou here?" "Oh, master!" cried the faithful servant, "happy am I to find you. Tell these good folks to let me loose, then I need not knock them down." "Let him loose, or he will keep his word. I know him. Well, what wouldest thou then with the King?" "Pray lead me to him at once. I have sad and terrible news to tell him of his wife and child." "Wife and child?" asked Hildebad in astonishment. "What, has he a wife?" "Very few know it," answered Teja. "She has scarcely ever left their estate, and has never been to court. Scarcely any one knows her, but all who do, honour her highly. I know no one like her." "There you are right, master, if ever any one was!" said Wachis in a suffocated voice. "The poor, poor mother! and, alas, the poor father! But let me go. Mistress Rauthgundis follows close behind. I must prepare him." Earl Teja, without more questioning, pushed the man into the tent, and followed with Hildebad. They found old Hildebrand sitting calmly, like inevitable fate itself, upon the King's couch, his chin resting on his hand, and his hand upon his stone battle-axe. Thus he sat immovable, fixing his eyes upon the King, who, in the greatest excitement, was pacing to und fro with rapid steps, and so absorbed in the terrible conflict of his soul, that he did not remark those who entered. "No, no; never!" he cried, "it is cruel! criminal! impossible!" "It must be," said Hildebrand, without moving. "No, I say!" cried the King; and turned. Wachis was standing close before him. Witichis looked at him wildly; then the servant threw himself at his feet, weeping loudly. "Wachis!" cried the King, in terror; "what is it? Thou comest from her? Stand up--what has happened?" "Alas! master," cried Wachis, still kneeling, "it breaks my heart to see you! I could not help it. I have repaid and avenged with all my might!" Witichis pulled him up to his feet by the shoulders. "Speak, man! What is there to revenge? My wife----" "She lives, she is coming; but your child!" "My child!" cried Witichis, turning pale, "Athalwin? What of him?" "Dead, master--murdered!"