s due to your ignorance of fairy powers," returned the
King, gravely. "Listen, my son, and you will know that I speak the
truth."

He held the white pearl to Inga's ear and the Prince heard a small
voice say distinctly: "Your father is right. Never question the truth
of what you fail to understand, for the world is filled with wonders."

"I crave your pardon, dear father," said the Prince, "for clearly I
heard the pearl speak, and its words were full of wisdom."

"The powers of the other pearls are even greater," resumed the King.
"Were I poor in all else, these gems would make me richer than any
other monarch the world holds."

"I believe that," replied Inga, looking at the beautiful pearls with
much awe. "But tell me, my father, why do you fear the warriors of
Regos and Coregos when these marvelous powers are yours?"

"The powers are mine only while I have the pearls upon my person,"
answered King Kitticut, "and I dare not carry them constantly for fear
they might be lost. Therefore, I keep them safely hidden in this
recess. My only danger lies in the chance that my watchmen might fail
to discover the approach of our enemies and allow the warrior invaders
to seize me before I could secure the pearls. I should, in that case,
be quite powerless to resist. My father owned the magic pearls at the
time of the Great Fight, of which you have so often heard, and the pink
pearl protected him from harm, while the blue pearl enabled him and his
people to drive away the enemy. Often have I suspected that the
destroying storm was caused by the fairy mermaids, but that is a matter
of which I have no proof."

"I have often wondered how we managed to win that battle," remarked
Inga thoughtfully. "But the pearls will assist us in case the warriors
come again, will they not?"

"They are as powerful as ever," declared the King. "Really, my son, I
have little to fear from any foe. But lest I die and the secret be lost
to the next King, I have now given it into your keeping. Remember that
these pearls are the rightful heritage of all Kings of Pingaree. If at
any time I should be taken from you, Inga, guard this treasure well and
do not forget where it is hidden."

"I shall not forget," said Inga.

Then the King returned the pearls to their hiding place and the boy
went to his own room to ponder upon the wonderful secret his father had
that day confided to his care.

Chapter Two

The Coming of King Rinkitink

A few