“But it did me no good,” went on the queen, sadly; “for when I made a wish the cloak could not grant it.” “Because it was stolen!” cried the girl, eagerly. “The fairy who gave it to me said that if the cloak was stolen it would never grant a wish to the thief.” “Oh,” said Zixi, astonished, “I did not know that.” “Of course not,” Fluff replied, with a rather triumphant smile. “But if you had only come to me and told me frankly that you wanted to use the cloak, I would gladly have lent it to you, and then you could have had your wish.” “Well, well!” said Zixi, much provoked with herself. “To think I have been so wicked all for nothing, when I might have succeeded without the least trouble had I frankly asked for what I wanted!” “But—see here!” said Bud, beginning to understand the tangle of events; “I must have worn the imitation cloak when I made my wish, and that was the reason that my wish didn’t come true.” “To be sure,” rejoined Fluff. “And so it is nothing but the imitation cloak we have brought here.” “No wonder it would not destroy and bury the Roly-Rogues!” declared the boy, sulkily. “But if this is the imitation, where, then, is the real magic cloak?” “Why, I believe I left it in the lilac-grove,” replied Zixi. “Then we must find it at once,” said Bud; “for only by its aid can we get rid of those Roly-Rogues.” “And afterward I will gladly lend it to you also; I promise now to lend it to you,” said Fluff, turning to the queen; “and your wish will be fulfilled, after all—whatever it may be.” [Illustration: “‘BECAUSE IT WAS STOLEN!’ CRIED THE GIRL, EAGERLY.”] This expression of kindness and good will brought great joy to Zixi, and she seized the generous child in her arms and kissed her with real gratitude. “We will start for the lilac-grove to-morrow morning,” she exclaimed delightedly; “and before night both King Bud and I will have our wishes fulfilled!” Then the witch-queen led them to her royal banquet-hall, where a most delightful dinner was served. And all the courtiers and officers of Zixi bowed low, first before the King of Noland and then before his sweet little sister, and promised them the friendship of the entire kingdom of Ix. Quavo the wandering minstrel chanced to be present that evening, and he sang a complimentary song about King Bud; and a wonderful song about the “Flying Lady,” meaning Aunt Rivette; and a beautiful song about the lovely Princess Fluff. So every one was happy and contented, as they all looked forward to the morrow to regain the magic cloak, and by its means to bring an end to all their worries. [Illustration: “‘NO, INDEED,’ ANSWERED THE GRAY OWL. ‘I BELIEVE I AM SAFER IN A TREE.’”] Chapter XXI. THE SEARCH FOR THE MAGIC CLOAK.