On a table at his side his case of evil wands stood open, and as he needed the one or the other for his enchantments, he lifted it out and waved it over the urn which he chose, muttering strange words meanwhile in an unknown tongue. His Book of Craft, also, lay open before him, so that he might diligently consult it before the working of each new spell. At this moment he was bending above it, wand in hand, reading intently. Even in his zeal to disclose to his master what had happened at the entrance to the cavern, the Imp dared not tread within that circle of enchantment. He cast himself upon his knees without it, bowed low his head, and cried aloud, “Sir Wizard, oh, Sir Wizard! Harken!” Interrupted in such unexpected fashion while he was in the midst of his wicked task, the Wizard turned abruptly and bent upon his servant a glance of dark displeasure. “How dare you disturb me in the working of my spells?” he thundered. “Have I not strictly forbidden any to tread within this Hall during the Hour of Enchantments?” “Alas, that I should have ventured to disobey you, my master!” stammered the Imp with trembling voice. He knew well the punishment that waited on disobedience, yet he feared far more what might be meted out to him if he should withhold that which he had come to say. “Only the news I bring,” he continued humbly, “could have made me disobey your commands.” The Wizard perceived that this was a matter of real importance. He laid down his wand, therefore, and prepared to listen. “What is it that you have come to tell?” he demanded. Encouraged thus, the Imp began. “As I stood near the Cave Mouth, I had a sudden vision of a stranger in ruddy garments. He stood at the entrance for an instant only, but plain to be seen against the light, and then vanished, I know not whither. It may be that my eyes deceived me, for when we made diligent search we could find no trace, but it may be, also, that he has made himself invisible, and is even now among us. Lest it might be this stranger Prince, perchance, for whom you bade us watch, I have left my companions on guard as before, while I came to tell you what I believe that I beheld. I dared not do otherwise.” “You have done wisely,” commended the Wizard. “Without doubt it is the Prince of whom Black Shadow has told me, for she said that we may know him by his ruddy garments. Whether or not he has made himself invisible, he shall not escape me. If he is here, I shall surely find him out. Rise now, and return to your watch with the rest.” Silently the Imp arose and obeyed. Prince Ember standing but a little distance from the mystic urns, heard his swift footfalls echo down the corridor.