Mitz and Fritz thought of the stories of Siegfried (Sēg´frēd), that great hero of Wagner's operas, "Siegfried" and "The Twilight of the Gods." In the Rhine land Siegfried was born.
They thought of Charlemagne (Shär´lē̍-mān), that mighty conqueror, who lies sleeping in this land. They thought of dragons, of buried treasure, of brave heroes, of secret caves. The Rhine country is full of such thoughts.
Then they came to Bingen (Bĭnḡ´ĕn).
"The Mouse Tower!" cried Mitzi.
"Tell us the story, please, Mother!" said Fritz.
The children had heard this tale many times. But never before had they heard it told while they were looking at the old tower. It stood in the center of the river.
"Long ago," began Mrs. Toymaker, "there lived a cruel bishop. When the poor people were starving, he bought all the grain in the land.
| THE MOUSE TOWER OF BINGEN ON THE RHINE |