Spark, who was lingering in the hall, came at once, eager to learn what she had discovered, but his grandmother’s face showed him that it was no time for questions. “Go quickly, Spark,” commanded she. “Bring every fairy in the palace. Something terrible has happened. Bring everyone, but especially the Earth Fairy; on no account must she be allowed to escape.” Away flashed Spark in hot haste, and did his errand so well, that presently the bedroom of the Queen was filled with anxious fairies. Under the direction of old Grey Smoke, everything known to fairy lore was done to revive Queen Glow, but nothing was of the least avail. Knowing but too well, by the flame hovering above the cradle, what had happened to the Princess, a band of the most trustworthy and faithful fairies set themselves as a guard about her, lest the one who had done this wicked deed might seek to approach and do further harm, if that were possible. It was not until all the other fairies were gathered in the room that the Earth Fairy appeared, with Spark close at her side, guarding her lest she should try to escape. But the Earth Fairy made no attempt to do this. When she entered the room she seemed to be overwhelmed by surprise at what she saw, and to be the most grief-stricken of them all. Grey Smoke pointed an accusing finger at her. “Wicked one,” she cried, “It is you who have done this to our Queen, and to our little Princess. It is you who must pay the penalty when King Red Flame returns, and finds what you have done.” The Earth Fairy interrupted her indignantly, and declared with a storm of sobs and tears that she was absolutely innocent, and that when she had left the room to put away the wands the Queen had asked her to bring, that all had been well; the Queen had been sleeping quietly in her bed, and the child had been in the cradle by her side. “Say no more,” commanded Grey Smoke. “No one believes you for a moment. No one else would have wrought evil upon our dear Queen.” In spite of everything that the Earth Fairy said to try to prove her innocence, she was taken away under a close guard of Fire Fairies, to be given over to the keepers of the prison. Around the cradle of the baby Princess a ceaseless watch was kept. The Fire Fairies who were appointed to guard it kept their eyes fixed upon the white and flickering flame, awaiting the return of King Red Flame. [Illustration] CHAPTER III Now all this time King Red Flame knew nothing of the happiness and the misfortune that had come to his queen. He finished the business that had taken him forth as quickly as he could, and then, in haste, he turned his horse toward home. But it was by another road that he returned to the palace, and it was for this reason that he missed the messengers that Grey Smoke had sent to seek him.