Certain that this could be no other than Prince Radiance himself, the Earth Fairy and Flying Soot paused instantly. The Wizard, seeing this, was not unwilling to prove his skill upon the true prince. He spoke in a friendly manner to the Earth Fairy, and prepared himself once more to lift the cover of his Urn of Vapors. The Imps, flinging their ropes of darkness into a corner, retreated so close against the Cave Wall that they could scarcely be seen. In her corner quivered Princess White Flame, her longing to see her beloved Radiance once more overborne by her fear of what might befall him at the hands of his foes. Each in his own place peered eagerly down the dusky corridor, awaiting in silence the coming of the Prince. But one accompanied the Prince whom they did not expect. It was the Shadow Witch. Although by her grey magic she had sent a shadow prince to deceive her brother, she had never for a moment lost sight of Prince Radiance, and now that he was drawing near to the Wizard, she knew that the time for her further good offices had arrived. If she could prevent him from being seen by her brother until the Prince was near enough to use his Sword of Flames, she knew that all would be well. Prince Radiance was so near to the Cave Hall that one short turn would bring him into the Wizard’s view. The Shadow Witch knew that her time to help him had come. She waved her long arms and instantly a thick curtain of shadow fell directly in front of the Prince. He could not see a yard before him, and stood still at once, fearing that some trap had been laid for him. “Do not be afraid,” whispered a voice at his ear. “Go forward. It is I, the Shadow Witch, who have come to help you.” Prince Radiance knew her voice, yet he hesitated. “Fear nothing,” insisted the Shadow Witch. “Go forward, and no harm shall come to you.” Trusting her then, the Prince trod boldly on, and before him went the curtain of the Shadow Witch like a covering shield. Beyond it the Wizard and his companions watched and waited, but saw only the corridor of the Cave stretching before them darker than ever, and filled with shadows so deep that their eyes could not penetrate them. Nearer and nearer came the Prince, and presently the voice of the Shadow Witch was heard again at his ear. “Have out your Sword of Flames,” she whispered. “The time has come.” Radiance laid his hand upon the hilt. At that moment the shadow curtain dissolved, and he beheld the Wizard little more than a yard away. So suddenly had the Prince appeared that the Wizard started with astonishment, but he recovered himself immediately, and shot forth his hand to lift the cover of his urn. “Now, now,” urged the Shadow Witch, at the Prince’s ear. “Now, or it will be too late!” Out flashed the Sword of Flames. It filled the Cave with blinding light. The cover of the urn settled back to its place with a harsh clang, as the Wizard leaped to his feet, shielding his eyes with his hands.