Suddenly a tumult arose outside the palace walls, and immediately after the Earth Fairy’s head-keeper, his eyes still half-blinded with soot, stumbled into the King’s presence. Close behind him came a crowd of excited Fire Fairies. The head-keeper threw himself at King Red Flame’s feet. “Your Majesty! Oh, Your Majesty!” he moaned. “In some strange manner the wicked Earth Fairy has escaped, while we, her keepers, blinded with soot have been imprisoned in her stead. Forgive us, oh forgive us we beg, that this should ever have come to pass.” “Escaped! The Earth Fairy escaped!” thundered King Red Flame, aghast at such evil tidings. “Escaped. The Earth Fairy escaped!” shrieked all the fairies who were clustered in the palace hall. “Oh! Oh! That this should be!” Old Grey Smoke bowed her head between her shoulders. “If this be true,” mourned she, “then the Princess is indeed lost.” Filled with consternation the King looked down upon the head-keeper still crouched at his feet. “Speak,” he commanded, “and tell me how this has come to pass.” “Surely Sire, it must have been the work of a spell,” began the head-keeper, “Nothing else could have brought such calamity upon us.” Then he went on to tell what had happened. As his tale proceeded the King listened intently, and all the Fire Fairies drew closer that they might not miss a word. “And by what means have you now escaped?” demanded the King, as the head-keeper paused for breath. “But a moment since, Your Majesty, one of our number contrived to wrench away the lock of the cell-door, and immediately I hastened here to warn you that the Earth Fairy is abroad, and that the Princess may be in danger.” “Alas!” groaned King Red Flame, “The Earth Fairy is doubtless already at work, for the Princess is nowhere to be found.” Hearing this, the head-keeper began to beat himself upon the breast. “The Princess lost! The Princess White Flame lost, and we the cause!” “Ay!” replied his master sternly, “you, the Earth Fairy’s careless keepers, were the cause. Had you not deserted your post, this great misfortune could never have fallen upon us.” He turned to a trusted servant. “Take away this faithless keeper,” he commanded, “and place him and his companions under strict guard, there to remain until my daughter, Princess White Flame, is restored to me.” So the keeper was taken away, still beating his breast, and crying aloud in vain remorse. All about the palace hall stood the Fire Fairies weeping and lamenting, for the Princess was dearly loved. Then the King turned to the old nurse. “Come, my good Grey Smoke,” said he, “give me of your wise counsel. How shall I best seek my beloved daughter?” But before Grey Smoke could answer, Prince Radiance sprang to the King’s side, and laid his hand upon the monarch’s arm.