[Illustration: DRAGONFEL KNOCKING ON VULCAN'S DOOR.] "It is I, Dragonfel, the enchanter," said the voice placatingly. "What brings you here?" asked Vulcan. "I come on business of great import, mighty Vulcan!" "Enter, then, and be brief," said Vulcan, with scant hospitality. "Remember I have work to do." Dragonfel and his followers thereupon appeared in the doorway, and came forward escorted by the imps who evinced the greatest curiosity in the strange, rain-soaked visitors. When they were within respectful distance of Vulcan the enchanter sank on one knee before him, and the rest immediately followed his example. "Why have you sought me out?" demanded Vulcan, with distrust and suspicion on his seamed, rugged face as he sharply eyed them. "Oh, Vulcan," spoke Dragonfel, in smooth, oily tones, "powerful as I am, I acknowledge you my master. Who else can match you in your wondrous strength?" "You've come for a favor!" grunted the other. "Well, out with it!" "I wish to tell you about the Brownies." "What about the Brownies?" "There is to be a marriage in Fairyland. The Brownie prince is to wed the fairy queen!" "Bah! How does this concern me?" "It should concern you. Listen, Vulcan! There is no authority for such a marriage in all the annals of mythology." The words created a deep impression upon Vulcan. "No authority?" he repeated slowly, as though he were mentally digesting what he had just heard. "Are you sure of this?" "There is none, I tell you," insisted Dragonfel emphatically. "It is enough to arouse the anger of the high and mighty gods. My own power will be diminished, if not lost, should this union take place." "Are you using any measures to prevent it?" asked Vulcan thoughtfully. "Aye!" was Dragonfel's decided response. "I am going across the sea with these followers of mine to interfere. Can I rely upon your powerful aid should I need it?" "How can I help you?" "If I call upon you will you convulse the earth, and rouse to fury the slumbering volcano?" [Illustration] "Trust me for that!" cried Vulcan, beginning to pump the bellows. "The element of fire is still my own, to use at will." A lightning-bolt hurled itself right in their very midst, and the resultant thunder-clap brought Dragonfel and his followers to their feet in sudden alarm. "Enough!" cried Dragonfel exultingly. "It is a compact, then!" "Here is my hand on it!" said Vulcan, and he crushed that of the enchanter in his grimy fist. "Spry, Flash, Nimble, and Twist, my crafty imps, shall go with you. Through them appeal to me. But what do you propose to do?" "I have a plan, and a good one too!" said Dragonfel, in a confidential manner. "You can depend upon it, rats will eat the wedding-cake!" Vulcan's fancy was so tickled that he laughed hilariously, and Dragonfel made bold to slap him in a familiar way upon the back. "Ho! ho!" Vulcan chuckled. "So rats will eat the wedding-cake, eh?" [Illustration]