ings and pillows stood
ready to receive him; his tall chair was set close beside it. Near by
was his special treasure chest, in which his choicest wands and
spellbooks were locked carefully away from prying fingers, but this room
was as silent and deserted as all the rest.

On a sudden they heard loud rapping, which became still louder, and then
a harsh voice crying out in angry tones, again and yet again.

"It is my brother calling for his Imps," whispered the Shadow Witch. "He
is not used to have them tarry when he summons them."

It was as she said: the Wizard, in the Cave Hall, was grey with rage.
Never before had he called to his servants without their scurrying on
nimble feet to learn his desires, but this time he had struck repeatedly
upon the arm of his chair, and had lifted his voice louder and louder,
yet neither the Chief Imp nor any other came. He knew where and how they
should be employed at this time, and if they were doing their duty, they
were within sound of his voice. How they could dare not to answer him,
how they could be deaf when he summoned them, the Wizard could not
understand.

The Shadow Witch stole closer to Prince Ember, and spoke beneath her
breath. "The Wizard is but a few yards from us," she said. "A moment
more, and we must encounter him. I do not fear him now, for in this part
of the Cave my power has always been fully equal to his own. The truth
is, I have more than once defeated him here. He remembers it well.
Yet--I was long bound by that dark prison--long subject to his power.
Before I return to the Land of Shadows, I must test myself, for I wish
to be certain that I can still meet and defy him in his Cave Hall
without being conquered by him; but in order to make sure of myself I
must go before him quite alone."

Prince Ember shook his head. "I would not have you venture it," he
objected. "The risk is too great."

"Not when you are near me," she told him confidently. "If the moment
should come when I know that I am unable to resist him longer, I will
call to you, and you will hasten to my help."

Reluctantly the Prince consented, and she glided away from him with
soundless footsteps. Close, close behind her he followed till they
reached the threshold of the Cave Hall. There he tarried out of sight,
yet where his eyes could still keep guard over her.

The Wizard, provoked beyond measure by the inattention of his servants,
was about to rise from his chair to go and learn the r