e calling to them for help. They had come
in trembling haste, and found him limp and prostrate on the floor, but
with their help, he had at last been enabled to rise slowly and go to
his accustomed seat.

"Sir Wizard!" cried Black Shadow, addressing him without ceremony, "the
stranger prince has everywhere prevailed! Curling Smoke is scattered!
The Ash Goblin is defeated! The Wind in the Chimney has been put to
naught! And now, Prince Ember has departed to the Land of Fire, taking
with him your sister to make her his bride. With her went all her
servants, the Shadows."

"Let them go," snarled the Wizard, scowling fiercely upon her. "I care
not what becomes of them, so that they return no more to trouble me."

"And I," continued Black Shadow, "have come to say that I mean to take
your sister's domain for myself, and choose companions to occupy it with
me who will obey my commands."

"Do what you will," he retorted impatiently, "so that you, too, go from
me, and leave me in peace."

Black Shadow needed no second bidding, but left the Wizard there, with
his Imps clustered about him, while she departed in haste to carry out
her long cherished plans.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XVI

In King Red Flame's garden it was brilliant noonday. The trees waved
their branches to a cloudless sky, the flowers lifted their beauteous
heads in a clear and golden light. Through the blossoming shrubs, the
towers and walls of the Palace of Burning Coals glistened in fullest
splendor. Prince Ember and the Shadow Witch approaching, beheld them
shining as if in welcome. The band of Shadows caught their breath in
wonder at the glorious sight.

Within the palace sat King Red Flame on his jeweled throne, listening
to his daughter, the Princess, as she sang the songs he loved. Prince
Radiance, close beside her, listened also. He could never tire of that
exquisite voice, which, from the first hour that he had heard it, had
enchanted his ear, and enchained his heart. The Fire Fairies, busy in
palace and garden, paused now and then to catch the floating strains,
for their Princess was unspeakably dear to them, and her singing stirred
them always to deep delight. Rushing Flame, the King's messenger, poised
alertly at the palace gate in readiness to leap forth on any errand for
his master, strained his ear, that he, too, might miss no note of her
song.

Suddenly, from below the pa