“You must hear me yet further,” cried the Shadow Witch. “I am not so cruel, perhaps, as you think. It was not alone that I desired to cheat my brother and Flying Soot, for when I saw your face so full of hope and courage it cheered me as none had ever done before. Because of this I would have saved you from his evil power. Well did I know that he had promised not to harm the Princess, but I feared that you might not escape in safety, and therefore I led you here. And then--besides--I am so lonely in my kingdom.” She drew nearer, and held out her hands beseechingly. Her pleading voice spoke on. “Oh if you would but stay with me. I long for brightness, for light, for cheer. These you can give me. Stay, ah stay with me, Prince Radiance. In my land you shall be prince and ruler. Stay, and teach me to forget my witch’s tricks; stay, and help me to learn nobler ways.” Prince Radiance looked into the face of the Shadow Witch, and saw that her eyes overflowed with tears. Gently he took her hand, gently he answered her. “Though you have drawn me away from my beloved Princess, I bear you no malice. Yet I cannot stay with you, for my heart follows the Princess White Flame. I have sworn to deliver her, and to my vow I give my life. You tell me that you are not cruel. Prove it then. Lead me back to my Princess quickly; show me where to find this Cave where your brother dwells.” The Shadow Witch sighed bitterly and drew her hand away. “If I let you go, you will never come again.” Silent she stood, wavering in indecision, but at length she spoke quickly, “Yes--yes--I will let you go. I will even do as you ask, and take you to the Cave myself, for in this Land of Shadows you would wander long, and never find your way.” Turning to her band of servants, she waved them back. “Go,” she exclaimed. “Go, till I summon you again.” With a flutter of grey garments they dissolved like mist at her command. Then the Shadow Witch stretched her hand to Prince Radiance. “Come,” she said. “Follow where I lead you, and you shall learn that I spoke truly when I said that in this land there is one at least who is not altogether unkind.” Gratefully the Prince obeyed her, and before he could have believed it possible, they stood together at the spot where he had begun to pursue the false flame. A high black cliff rose before them. The Shadow Witch pointed to it and said, “My brother’s Cave lies yonder. Enter that wide opening in the cliff-side. Pursue the narrow way that leads from it, and erelong you will reach the Cave Hall where he sits. Gladly would I give you some weapon to use against him, but there is only one that he fears, and alas, I do not possess it.” “What weapon may that be?” inquired the Prince. “It is the Sword of Flames,” she answered. “He has never seen it, but its fame has reached him, and he knows well that before it his power would be shattered.”