its cause, but the Wind frowned upon them and buffeted them
to right and left so sternly that they rushed quickly out again without
daring to speak.

The Wind turned to Black Shadow. "Go back to the Wizard," he commanded
her gruffly. "Tell him that the Chimney shall fall in ruins, and the
Wind himself become as the faintest of his Breezes before this stranger
prince succeeds in his purpose of setting free the Shadow Witch."

He shook his mantle, he tossed his great shaggy head and whistled
loudly. "I am the Wind--the Wind in the Chimney! Heugh, heugh! Ho, ho!
Heugh, heugh!"

Pursued by his braggart whistlings and the hoarse echoings of his mirth,
Black Shadow left him and hurried back to the Wizard's Cave to make
known to him the success of her mission.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VII

When Prince Ember said farewell to Creeping Shadow and stepped into the
Elf's house, he found himself in a curious room whose walls were grey
with ash, whose floor was covered so thick with it, that his feet sank
into it, and made no sound. It was as if he trod on softest down.

In the middle of the room stood the Elf, with pudgy hand extended.
"Welcome, good Prince," he said heartily. "You come on the business of
the Shadow Witch, for I know the knock of her servant, Creeping Shadow.
What is it that you desire?"

"I am on my way to deliver the Shadow Witch," the Prince made answer,
taking his hand. "The Wise One has bade me ask of you a certain
marvelous Cloak of Ash, to conceal me from my enemies. He says that here
only is the secret of its making known, and that you will not refuse to
provide me with it."

"The Wise One has spoken truly," returned the Elf, "but he has doubtless
told you also that you must wait while this Cloak is woven especially
for you."

"That he has," replied Prince Ember. "But let it be done quickly, I beg
of you, for who can tell what the Shadow Witch may suffer at the hands
of her brother if my coming be long delayed."

"Not a moment shall be lost," the Elf assured him. Still holding him by
the hand, he drew him to a narrow door at the farther end of the room.
He opened it, and revealed beyond it the Prince saw a vast chamber,
filled with elves hurrying silently to and fro on tasks strange to him.
The moment their master entered with Prince Ember, every elf stood still
ready to hear and obey whatever command might be given to them.

"