“Ruth!” he called. She heeded not. He dared not call louder, lest others within the Palace might hear. He watched her, spellbound. Suddenly she moved and turned as if to leave the window. Without even giving a thought to what he was doing, David shaped his lips to give a low, clear, sweet whistle--the call they had used together at the Cobbler’s cottage. The girl turned toward the window, her face very white and her breath coming in short, quick gasps. He knew that she had heard, for her eyes searched the garden below, her delicate hand resting on her throat, her whole expression one of fear and wonder. “Here wings to serve you true-- Try what written words will do.” Yes, it was the song of the ever faithful Blue Bird. David saw the little creature hopping on a twig close by. “Good!” cried the boy. Then, searching in his pocket, he found a pencil and a bit of paper and wrote hastily: “Ruth, it is I, David, come to rescue you. We must flee together. Come to me!” He folded the bit of paper carefully, and the Bird took it in its beak and flew over the casement window, dropping it on the sill just in front of Ruth. She opened it, read the message. Tears of joy filled her eyes. Then, eagerly, she wrote this answer: “I am watched and guarded constantly. I cannot possibly come to you, David. You must capture the Pale-Coloured Wingèd Horse. He only can save my life. Capture him, come to the Palace some dark starless night riding upon his back, and fly to the garden at the eastern side of the Palace. There I can meet you, but I cannot go outside the garden wall. Help me, David dear--no one else can ever save me. “Ruth.” She had just time to finish the message, fold it, and drop it from the casement window, when one of the women of the Palace came to her. It was time to begin her daily tasks and lessons. But the faithful Blue Bird was still keeping watch, and the bit of white paper had no sooner touched the ground than he flew to it, seized it in his beak, and bore it safely to David. “The Pale-Coloured Wingèd Horse?” said David. “Where can I find him? He must be the same of which _she_ spoke in the Mansion of Happiness. _She_ told me I must go on past the Bronze King’s Palace, where the Lions are! I wonder where the Lions are, and why I have not seen them? I will go on, for I must capture the horse: I know that is the only way to rescue Ruth.--Blue Bird, guide me!” he cried aloud. A flash of azure darted before his eyes and disappeared round the corner of the Palace wall. He followed, almost running in his eagerness not to lose sight of his trusted guide.