ed and locked his Book of Craft, also.

Then he smote his hands together sharply and, at the signal, the Chief
Imp came rushing to learn his desire.

"Take away these urns," the Wizard commanded, "and place my wands and
book in safe-keeping."

The Chief Imp raised the Book of Craft from the table and bearing it
carefully in his outstretched hands, disappeared with it from the Hall.
A moment later he returned and carried away the box of wands in the
same manner. With him came many Imps, who laid hands upon the ponderous
urns and with heavy rumblings rolled them slowly away out of the Cave
Hall.

In the meanwhile Prince Ember stood still watchful beside the wall,
waiting for some clue which would guide him to where the Shadow Witch
lay imprisoned, for he knew well that without this he must surely go
astray. He had not long to wait, for when presently the Imps came
flocking back to the Cave Hall, as they were always free to do when the
Hour of Enchantment was done, the Wizard gave a sign to his
lantern-bearers.

"I go to visit my sister, the Shadow Witch," he said.

Immediately they snatched up their lights and stood ready.

The Wizard crossed to the farther end of the Cave Hall and touched the
wall with his wand. Prince Ember saw the wall part instantly in twain,
revealing the dim corridor beyond it.

The Imps plunged quickly into it holding aloft their flickering lanterns
that gave out but a feeble light in the gloom. The Wizard strode after
them, and at his very side stole the Prince, overjoyed at this sudden
and unexpected opportunity.

The Wizard paused and touched the wall again, and it closed soundlessly
behind them. Then they went forward.

Deep and yet deeper, into the very heart of the Cave they penetrated,
following its dark and winding ways. The Prince observed each turn
closely, so that when he should return bringing with him the Shadow
Witch, he might find his way out without error.

At length they reached the wall that barred her dungeon, and the Wizard
struck upon it as he had the other. It yawned apart in its turn, and
with such impetuous zeal did Prince Ember hasten toward the opening that
he entered before the rest the sombre prison that lay within.

In the first moment he saw nothing, but as the Imps pressed into the
room and ranged themselves along the walls, he was enabled, by the light
of their glimmering lanterns to descry a dim bowed figure seated there.

It was the Shadow Witch. He