hed roof. Prince Shan's
servants, obeying his gesture, hurried forward and threw open the gates.
The heavily laden limousine came to a standstill. Three people
descended. Nigel and Naida lingered, watching the luggage being
unloaded. Maggie came forward alone.

They met a few yards from the entrance to the platform. Prince Shan was
bare-headed, and Maggie, at least, saw those wonderful things in his
face. He bent down and took her hands in his.

"Dear and sweet soul," he whispered, as his lips touched her fingers,
"may my God and yours grant that you shall find happiness!"

Her own eyes were wet as she smiled up at him.

"I have been so long making up my mind," she said, "and yet I knew all
the time. I am so glad--so happy that I have come. Think, too, how
wonderful a start! We leave the earth for the clouds."

"It is a wonderful allegory," he answered, smiling. "We will take it
into our hearts, dear one. It rests within the power of every human
being to search for happiness and, in searching, to find it. I am
fortunate because I can take you to beautiful places. I can spell out
for you the secrets of a new art and a new beauty. We can walk in fairy
gardens. I can give you jewels such as Europe has never seen, but I can
give you, Maggie, nothing so strange and wonderful, even to me who know
myself, as the love which fills my heart."

Her laugh was like music.

"I am going to be so happy," she murmured.

The other two approached and they all shook hands. They looked over the
amazing little rooms, watched the luggage stowed away in some marvellous
manner, saw the crew, every one at his station like a motionless figure.
Then a whistle was blown, and once more they all clasped hands.

"Very soon," Prince Shan promised, as he and Maggie leaned from the
window of the car, "I shall send the _Black Dragon_ for you, Lord
Dorminster, and for the one other whom I think you may wish to bring.
Asia is not so far off, these days, and Maggie will love to see her
friends."

Almost imperceptibly the giant airship floated away.

"Watch, both of you," Maggie cried. "I am sending you down a farewell
present." She whispered to Prince Shan, who handed her something from
his pocket, smiled, and gave an order. The great ship passed in a
semicircle and hovered almost exactly above their heads. A little shower
of small scraps of paper came floating down. Nigel picked one up,
examined it, and understood. He waved his hat.

"It is M