say. "Only the
news I bring," he continued humbly, "could have made me disobey your
commands."

The Wizard perceived that this was a matter of real importance. He laid
down his wand, therefore, and prepared to listen. "What is it that you
have come to tell?" he demanded.

Encouraged thus, the Imp began. "As I stood near the Cave Mouth, I had a
sudden vision of a stranger in ruddy garments. He stood at the entrance
for an instant only, but plain to be seen against the light, and then
vanished, I know not whither. It may be that my eyes deceived me, for
when we made diligent search we could find no trace, but it may be,
also, that he has made himself invisible, and is even now among us. Lest
it might be this stranger Prince, perchance, for whom you bade us watch,
I have left my companions on guard as before, while I came to tell you
what I believe that I beheld. I dared not do otherwise."

"You have done wisely," commended the Wizard. "Without doubt it is the
Prince of whom Black Shadow has told me, for she said that we may know
him by his ruddy garments. Whether or not he has made himself invisible,
he shall not escape me. If he is here, I shall surely find him out. Rise
now, and return to your watch with the rest."

Silently the Imp arose and obeyed. Prince Ember standing but a little
distance from the mystic urns, heard his swift footfalls echo down the
corridor.

The Wizard stood for a moment wrapped in thought, but presently he laid
down the wand which he held in his hand and chose another from the case.
He raised it aloft and waved it in a great circle above his head. "By
the power of this wand," he exclaimed, "I bid any who stand invisible
within this Cave Hall to become visible at once."

As he heard the words, Prince Ember's heart stood still. He knew not the
power of the Wizard's wand, nor whether his own magic would surely be
proof against it. But his own spell held firm, and he remained
invisible.

So certain was the Wizard of the potency of his wand, that he smiled
grimly and confidently when he saw none appear. Leaving the circle of
his urns, he stepped to the entrance to the corridor, and drew his wand
across it. "Let none pass this threshold unseen," he cried in a loud
voice.

Satisfied that he now had made all secure, he returned, Prince Ember
watching him meanwhile. He took his place amid the urns and replaced his
wand in the box with its fellows. He dropped the lid and turned the key.
He clos