While the monarch pondered over what was best to be done his eye abstractedly roved to the Brownies who now had gathered in a circle on the beach, and who were scanning with much interest something in the sky. The Policeman involuntarily had pointed his club toward it, and the Sailor was trying to get a better view through his spy-glass. The royal eye at once turned upward in the direction in which all the others were gazing, and like everyone else was held spellbound with surprise. Far overhead there was an immense bird slowly dropping with stationary wings outspread down toward them. It stood out clearly outlined in silhouette against the dark night-sky. But it was not this bird, remarkable in itself, that created such intense excitement on the part of all. Its great sharp talons held in a firm grip an object that they recognized at once, with the result that delight and consternation were mingled on their faces. [Illustration] Grasped firmly by the coat-tails, with face downward, and legs and arms spread out like a Maltese cross, was the immaculate Brownie Dude, and he still was clutching in his right hand the cane that was his most treasured possession outside of his monocle. The Brownies watched this most extraordinary spectacle as though they were fascinated, and their pop-eyes almost popped out of their heads. Lower and lower settled the great bird, and the anxious watchers now realized that its offices toward the Dude in time of danger had been of a most heroic nature. With great haste some secured a net, which they held outspread. When the bird was still some distance above, it cocked its eye as though it were making some nice calculation and suddenly let go of its burden. The Dude came hurtling through the air, landing safely in the net, while the bird sailed off, and was soon gone from sight. As soon as the Dude got on his feet he started to dust off his clothes with a tiny whisk-broom. "I shouldn't care to go up in an aeroplane!" he said. He looked infinitely relieved when one of the overjoyed Brownies who crowded around in congratulation handed him his opera-hat box. [Illustration] It may here be mentioned, that the Fairies, who had been left behind, made a desperate attempt to follow their Queen, and the Brownies, across the sea. But, after great difficulties, and dangers, they were glad to get back to their own shore in safety. [Illustration] But though Florimel, like all the rest, was delighted beyond measure that the Dude had been so miraculously restored to them, so they were now once more complete, he could not restrain his tortured feelings when he thought of Queen Titania, and he was in a fever of impatience to rush at once to her rescue. "We only waste time here while Titania may be in danger," he said, with a strong trace of irritation in his tone. "Is not that Dragonfel's palace over yonder?" King Stanislaus gazed at the highly expensive but forbidding-looking edifice toward which Florimel pointed.