Flying Soot needed no second bidding, but took himself off in the direction of the Wizard’s Cave. More slowly the Earth Fairy proceeded along the same way, keeping the Prince and the Princess ever before her. They had scarcely left the spot where Curling Smoke had been vanquished, when a small grey figure stole out from a crevice in a rock near by and looked cautiously after them. It was the Ash Goblin. He shook his fist at them in menace, muttering, “We shall see, Flying Soot, we shall see, Earth Fairy, whether you can afford to scorn the help of one so small even as an Ash Goblin.” He sat down upon a low rock to watch the floating remnants that had once been Curling Smoke. Patiently he waited, for knowing this crafty magician, he knew also what would come to pass. Slowly, slowly these remnants came closer and closer. Slowly they gathered themselves bit by bit into one mass, and at length before the Ash Goblin’s eyes Curling Smoke appeared once more in his own shape. He who had so lately boasted himself to be invincible, held himself haughtily, for anger burned within him at his humiliation and he was determined to be revenged. It pleased the Ash Goblin to see him thus, for it fell in with his own purposes. Fearful lest Curling Smoke should be about to depart he made haste to address him. “Master Magician,” he called from his lowly seat, “do you know what Flying Soot has said of you?” “It is not Flying Soot who concerns me,” answered Curling Smoke, not deigning to look down at the speaker. “It is this Prince whom I mean to punish for what he has lately done.” “Ay, but it was Flying Soot whom I heard telling the Earth Fairy that he might have guessed that you were no magician after all, but a mere boaster. He declared also that he had other friends who would help her, who were really more powerful, and whose word could be trusted. Many other things he said, that put shame and contempt upon you. It would take too long to repeat them all. Does not Flying Soot concern you, now that you know this, Master Magician?” “So much does he concern me that I shall punish him as well,” replied Curling Smoke, in mounting rage. “Ay, and the Earth Fairy, also. Before their journey is done--in a moment when they look not for me, they shall one and all find that the power of Curling Smoke is not to be despised.” The Ash Goblin clapped his hands in a burst of wicked glee. “Ah, Master Magician, that I can well believe--and I--the Ash Goblin--shall make it my business to be there to see it.” [Illustration] CHAPTER XII