ward down the
steps, his arm upraised in protection. The place came alive with
sound. Pealing, silvery tones of rich bell-like music tore the air
asunder and the light of the diamond flashed warmly against the flesh
of the girl on the throne.

On his feet now Drake stumbled toward Puffy Adams at the entrance of
the chamber. Puffy was on his knees, face blinded with the light.

"Holy Ned," he shouted. "Now look what you've done, Cinderella."

Drake didn't answer. His eyes had grown accustomed to the glare. The
chamber was hot and brilliant with some new world born from the cold
womb of the old. Men and women arose from where animals had been
waiting for the end.

Silvaris, the Fox King, came toward them. His face was alight with
thanksgiving. Looking over his shoulder, Drake saw something that made
him lose all interest in the others. Something that he had prayed for
was taking place atop the polar bear's throne-back.

Sylvia Fanton, her body alive and glowing, sat upright. No false
modesty marred the perfect, classically molded body. She slipped down
from the beast's back and caressed its side with slim fingers. Then
she came toward him slowly.

* * * * *

The men and women parted as she went among them gracefully. Her eyes
were wide and wonderfully warm as she came up the steps toward him.
Her gaze never wavered from his. They had changed from a cold black to
soft, gold-flecked brown.

"I knew you would come," she said softly. "It was necessary that we
have each other."

With a happy sob she was in his arms. He only knew that her body was
pressed tightly to his. That the warmth of the Flaming Diamond had
brought her life, and that Jim Drake would never be lonely again.

Voices arose happily in the chamber. The heat, now, was almost
unbearable. He heard Silvaris's voice say happily:

"It is good that the Ice Gods have played their part."

Strong arms were on Drake's shoulder. He stumbled after the men toward
the open valley. Then, with his emotions under control, he saw the
transformation that had taken place because he had done his job well.

"You have once more breathed life into a lost valley," Silvaris was at
his side. "We will be forever thankful."

Drake looked down at the wisp of loveliness at his side. She was
partly clothed now in a small fur jacket. Somehow it displayed rather
than enshrouded her charms.

Away toward the head of the lake frozen cliffs jutted up