go and write
it at once, and I'll send Tuetzi over with it. You can say, 'Please send
answer by bearer!' Xuriel, show the Princess to a chamber and provide
her with writing materials."

"If your Royal Highness will graciously come this way," said the
despicable Xuriel, bowing low. Poor Edna had to follow him up a steep
outside staircase to a gloomy room where deep-set windows commanded a
view of the Courtyard below. He found some sheets of parchment and a
reed pen, and lent her the inkhorn from his own girdle. As he was
depositing these on a great oaken table, he glanced out of the window
and gave a high cackling laugh.

"I fear my venerable and respected friend the worthy Court Godmother
must have met with some mishap," he sniggered. "For see, Princess, her
dove-chariot has just descended, _without_ its Gracious occupant, on the
roof of the bastion! Hee-hee! I trust--I sincerely trust that Tuetzi may
not so far forget himself as to snap up any of those dear little doves!"

And, so saying, he hurried to the Courtyard. Edna was naturally
concerned at any possible accident to the Court Godmother or her doves,
but her letter had to be written, and it was not at all an easy letter
to write. She got as far as: "Dear Father and Mother,--You will be
relieved to hear that I am, so far, unhurt. But"--and there she stuck.
It was really _very_ difficult to find any plausible wording for the
Ogre's preposterous terms.

Xuriel had rejoined his patron, and both were watching Tuetzi with
interest. He had already become aware of the doves and reared his head
above the level of the bastion roof, where they were strutting about
unsuspicious of danger. His hideous lidless eyes regarded them intently,
with a view to selecting the plumpest bird.

"Those pigeons will be quite a treat for poor Tuetzi," remarked Count
Rubenfresser. "But what is that thing flashing there on the roof? There
it is again! Can't you see it?"

Xuriel looked, and saw a thin scintillating ray of light which shifted
capriciously from place to place. "It is the blade of a sword!" he said.
"More--it is the blade of the enchanted sword I sold to Prince
Clarence."

"Fool!" said the Count, "how can any sword be there with no hand to
wield it?"

"The Crown Prince is wielding it," replied Xuriel. "He is rendered
invisible by the magic cap I made for the Court Chamberlain!"

"You had no business to make such things," returned the Count, "they
were very properly fo