But at the very moment that the first word of her charm fell from her lips there came a sudden knock at the door. The Earth Fairy was startled. She thrust the wand behind her, stole swiftly to the door, and laid her ear to the keyhole. “Who is there?” she demanded in a low voice. “It is I--Grey Smoke,” was the answer. “I bear a message to the Queen.” “Queen Glow has given orders that she is not to be disturbed,” returned the Earth Fairy. “She sleeps, and I can awaken her for no one.” Satisfied with the answer that she had received, Grey Smoke took her departure, and the wicked Earth Fairy returned to the cradle of the Princess. She had no more than drawn a second time her circle of enchantment, had but once waved her wand above the little Princess, than there came another, and a louder knock. Furious that her spell should again be interrupted, the Earth Fairy threw down her wand, and hurried to the door. “Who is it now who comes to disturb the Queen?” she demanded sharply. “Has not everyone been told that her Majesty wishes to sleep?” “It is I--Spark--the page,” was the reply. “My business is important. A golden necklace has just arrived for Her Highness the Princess, with orders to deliver it to the Queen at once.” “Her Majesty is not to be disturbed for any purpose,” retorted the Earth Fairy. “Go away at once, and put it in a place of safety till she awakens.” The page was not satisfied. “Since the Queen cannot be disturbed,” replied he, “you must yourself take it, and keep it until she awakens. Open the door, and I will give it to you.” Obliged to control her anger, lest Spark should become suspicious that mischief was on foot, the Earth Fairy opened the door the merest crack, and received a marvelous golden box from his hands. At any other time she certainly would have turned it over curiously, and if no one had been by she would have peeped within, but now she was only anxious to guard the entrance to the room as well as she could, and to shut the door quickly, before the sharp eyes of Spark should see too much. Careful as she was, however, she did not succeed in preventing him from catching a glimpse of the bundle of wands lying upon the Queen’s bed. The sight of them in this unexpected place excited his suspicions at once, but he was far too clever to say anything concerning them to the Earth Fairy. She would give him no satisfaction, he was sure. But he lost no time in going to Grey Smoke, who was his grandmother, and telling her what he had seen. Grey Smoke looked very grave. She had never trusted Earth Fairy, and now a strange fear took possession of her. “I will go to the Queen at once,” declared she. “I--her old nurse, must see to it that no harm comes to her in the King’s absence.”