But Wavilocks sulked and sniffed and declared that she did not want a coral belt, and she would not kiss her kind father good-night. He sighed and went away, poor merman, to his thinking-place in a rocky cavern. Now there was one creature who had overheard the talk between Wavilocks and her father, and his little eyes gleamed wickedly at mention of the starry necklace. The Crab was the most evil of all the sea-creatures, and old Triton had forbidden Wavilocks ever to play with him or listen to his words. The sea-folk hated the Crab because of his mischievousness and because of his wicked history. He had not always been the sneaking nuisance of the sea. Once, long before, he had lived in the sky. He was a cousin of the great Sky Crab, the guardian of the star jewels, and once he too had helped to take care of them. But because he had tried to steal a few for his own use, the big Sky Crab had indignantly cast him out of heaven, down to the lowest depths of the sea. Oh, yes, the Crab knew all about the stars which Wavilocks so longed to own! Wavilocks had never been told this story, but she knew that she must never have anything to do with the ugly, crawling fellow. And so, when she heard his harsh voice close beside her cradle, she ought not to have listened. “Hist!” said the voice. “Hist!” Wavilocks knew who it was, and she knew that sly whisper meant mischief. She herself was feeling very naughty. “What is it, Crab?” she whispered. “I have accidentally overheard what you were saying to Master Triton,” he hissed, “and I do not blame you at all. The King is wrong. You, fairest Mermaid, ought to wear the starry necklace,--it is your right. The jewels are said to be even more beautiful when closely seen. But they are hardly fair enough for you!” So spoke the wicked old Crab with a flattering tongue. Wavilocks was pleased. “I should like to see them closely,” she said. “One could climb up there, I think,” said the Crab slyly. “Oh, how? Tell me how it can be done, dear Crab?” cried Wavilocks eagerly. The Crab winked one eye. “There is a silver staircase that leads up to the moon. Sometimes one can see it, sometimes not. To-night it is very bright. The moon is a round silver doorway through which streams light, and beyond it is a beautiful land where my cousin, the Sky Crab, lives and has charge of the star jewels. I have always wanted to go up there and see him, but I do not care to go alone. If I could find some one to go with me--” The Crab stopped and sighed. “Oh, how I should like to go with you, Crab!” exclaimed Wavilocks, sitting up on the edge of her cradle. “But my father and the King have forbidden me even to think of the starry jewels.” “Nonsense!” whispered the Crab. “Come with me to-night, and for my sake my cousin will give you all the stars you wish.” “Oh, I dare not go!” sighed Wavilocks. “The King will punish me for disobeying him.”