Three days had passed since he had bade farewell to the Queen, and now he was soon to see her again. Light-heartedly he rode along, singing a snatch of a song that the Queen loved, and more than once he took from his pouch a beautiful flashing necklace that he was bringing as a present to his wife. As he held it up in the glowing light it shone and flashed as only magic can. He smiled with delight as he thought of the pleasure it would give her. So full of joy was he that when he reached the palace gate he failed to notice the sad faces and tear-stained eyes of the fairies that came out to meet him, and take his horse. Only as he hurried up the palace stairs did he realize that the place seemed quieter than usual. But presently, drawing still nearer to the chamber of Queen Glow, the sound of the wailing of many voices smote on his ears, and the nearer he drew to her chamber, the louder it became. Fear suddenly awoke in his heart, and drove his feet swiftly forward. He rushed to the Queen’s door, flung it wide open, and stood for a moment looking in. Then he hurried to her bedside, the fairies shrinking away before him to right and left. There upon the bed lay the Queen, as fair and white as some beautiful figure carved in ivory. With a loud cry King Red Flame fell on his knees beside the bed, and clasping the lifeless hand of the Queen in his, he called to her, beseeching her to look at him, to wake, to speak. It seemed indeed as though he were unable to believe that she could no longer hear him. At last, laying down her hand, he raised himself slowly to his feet. “Tell me,” he cried, “how has this happened, and what has brought this terrible misfortune upon our land?” For a moment all were still. Then Grey Smoke stepped forth from among the rest. “Your Majesty,” said she, “it is the work of the Earth Fairy. It is she who has revenged herself thus.” Then briefly she told him all that had happened since he had ridden away. Silently the King listened, too stunned for word or thought. There was a pause, and then Grey Smoke laid a gentle hand upon his sleeve, and spoke again: “Your Highness,” said she respectfully, “do not forget that the baby Princess needs you, and that she who has wrought all this evil is still free and unpunished.” At that King Red Flame turned his head, and looked at the golden cradle. There above it hovered the tiny white flame, the only visible form of the fairy Princess. “Alas! Alas!” mourned Grey Smoke at his ear, “that this should be all that is left of the loveliest princess that the Land of the Fire Fairies has ever seen!” The King aroused himself. “It is too late,” he cried, “to bring my dear Queen back to life, but at least as far as the Princess is concerned the guilty one shall repair her mischief. Bring the Earth Fairy to me, and after she has restored my daughter, she shall receive the punishment she has deserved.”