The witch perceived the little man.
"It is well," she said, "that you have come; I shall be dead before sunrise." "Mother!" cried the dwarf horrified, "you shall live, and live better than you have done till now! Great things are happening, and for us!" "I know, I know," said Hekt.

"Go away, Scherau--now, Nemu, whisper in my ear what is doing ?" The dwarf felt as if he could not avoid the influence of her eye, he went up to her, and said softly--"The pavilion, in which the king and his people are sleeping, is constructed of wood; straw and pitch are built into the walls, and laid under the boards.

As soon as they are gone to rest we shall set the tinder thing on fire.

The guards are drunk and sleeping." "Well thought of," said Hekt.

"Did you plan it ?" "I and my mistress," said the dwarf not without pride.