“Really? Now, that is better still!” said good little Bizzybuzz, with the greatest possible satisfaction. “Well, then, we are all ready to go to Dick’s assistance; and he needs us! I have Moon-Eyes waiting in the wood for you, and Bab will follow to the Red City, under the directions of Santa Claus, who has taken a great fancy to her!” Meg said good-bye to the Fairy Queen in a flutter of excitement, and, clasping her precious blue scroll very tightly, she hurried away after Bizzybuzz; and the Fairies called, “Good-fortune!” after them as they went. In the woods they found Moon-Eyes waiting with owl-like patience. As Meg mounted, with a caress for the wise and silent bird, she felt a thrill of excitement, a joy in adventure which she had never felt before. “Now, then,” cried Bizzybuzz, “to rescue Dick and Humpty Dumpty from the clutches of the Wicked King!” [Illustration] XIV _Danger!_ [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XIV _Danger!_ When the door of the Princess’s room opened, and both she and Dick turned toward it, what do you suppose they saw? They saw a little girl in a brown dress with black spots on it,—a little girl who had dark eyes and hair, and was followed by a small, excited fox-terrier. For they saw none other than Bab herself! She ran into the room, and hugged her brother, crying, “Oh, Dicky, Dicky, dear! How glad I am to see you again!” Wiggles jumped about and yelped with joy, and altogether you might have supposed that they had all been separated for years, instead of only—But dear me, I forgot! We don’t know how long it had been, after all! For, of course, in Make Believe Land they count very differently from the way we do. Naturally, both Dick and Bab forgot all about the Princess, until she said quite crossly, “Well, I do think you might introduce her to me!” Dick jumped. “Oh, dear! I forgot!” he exclaimed. “Princess, this is my sister Bab.” “Bab!” repeated the Princess. “What a funny name!” “It’s really Barbara,” explained Bab. “But I think that’s really worse, isn’t it? And, anyway, Bab’s shorter.” “Oh, yes, certainly. And it’s a _very_ nice name,” said the Princess, politely. “A _very_ nice name, I’m sure! Well, little Bab, or Barbara, or whatever your name is, what are _you_ doing here?” “If you please, Princess,” said Bab, timidly. “I am here to help Dicky save Humpty Dumpty.” “And himself!” added the Princess, mischievously. “You know he needs saving too, just now.” “_And_ the Princess,” put in Dick. “And poor dear Mudge,” finished the Princess. “Dear me!” exclaimed Bab. “Have you _all_ got to be rescued?” “Every single one!” declared the Princess. “Your brother—what did he say his name was?—Duck?—oh, no—Dick!—Dick and I were just talking the matter over when you came in. We aren’t very certain how to go about it.” “Oh, but _I_ am!” said Bab, confidently. “Indeed!” exclaimed the Princess, in surprise. “Yes!” said Bab, importantly. “How do you suppose I got in here?”