“Nay, I have it not,” answered the Wise One, shaking his head. “Only the Elf of the Borderland can bestow this upon you, for he alone, together with his elves, possesses the secret of its making. Moreover it must be woven in the presence of him who is to wear it; otherwise it has no power. Go to him and ask it. He will not refuse you. Creeping Shadow, who knows where he is to be found, will guide you to him. Do in all things as I have advised you, and you will not fail.” So Prince Ember, with grateful words bade the Wise One good-bye and departed with his gifts, and as he left the hut, Creeping Shadow arose from her seat beneath the flame-bush and came to walk beside him and guide him to the Borderland. Quite alone, in the Borderland, stands the house of the good grey Elf. Its door was fast shut and its windows closed when Prince Ember and Creeping Shadow approached it. The thick thatch of ash which covered its roof and came low down upon its walls so concealed it from view, that had he been without his companion to guide him, the Prince might have sought for it long in vain. When they had reached it, Creeping Shadow stood still. “This is the house of the Elf,” she said. Then, turning, she pointed to a high black cliff that rose in the distance. “And yonder is the Cave of Darkness, where the Wizard dwells, and my poor mistress lies imprisoned. As soon as you have left the Elf, lose no time in reaching her, I beg of you, for the Wizard is very cruel, and I know not what he may do to her if help is long delayed. When you have climbed the steep path which leads up the cliff-side, you will behold the entrance to the cavern yawning before you. As for myself, I shall return now to the Land of Shadows, to await in hope the homecoming of my mistress.” She turned again and struck upon the Elf’s door thrice. It was the signal of the servants of the Shadow Witch. In silence the door swung open, and the Prince set his foot upon the threshold. “Farewell, noble and generous Prince,” murmured Creeping Shadow. “Good speed, and a safe return.” “Farewell,” said Prince Ember. “Rest confident that I shall bring home the Shadow Witch in triumph.” He passed within, and as silently as it had opened, the door closed upon him. [Illustration] CHAPTER V Alone, in the deep darkness of her prison, sat the Shadow Witch growing paler and sadder every day. She was beginning to fear that after all Creeping Shadow could do nothing to help her, for how could she ever penetrate to this dungeon, with its thick walls that hemmed her in. She doubted not that the Wizard kept the entrance to the Cave closely guarded; indeed he had told her that it was so.