Part 21 (1/2)

Dragonfel's palace was a good deal farther away than they had supposed, for the atmosphere was very clear, so that objects at a distance seemed much nearer than they really were.

There was a fair road that led to it from the beach, and this took them over a rickety wooden bridge that spanned one of the numerous tide-water creeks in the vicinity.

But before they reached the bridge they came to a small frame structure over whose arched doors was the sign: NEPTUNE HOOK AND LADDER CO. NO. 1, which caused remarks.

”Evidently Dragonfel has a fire department,” said King Stanislaus. ”This is a most interesting discovery.”

”Why, I could have told you that,” said a Brownie. ”I saw it some time ago.”

”You should have done so,” His Majesty reproved. ”It may have a very important bearing on what we are about to try to do. But what was that?”

Something dim and shadowy flitted past in the dark, with the whirring sound of a night-bat.

”I saw it,” the Policeman spoke up quickly. ”There was a gleam of red, and I thought I could distinguish a bow and quiver.”

”A bow and quiver!” repeated King Stanislaus, and his face grew suddenly grave. ”I hope they were not Prince Florimel's. I am greatly distressed by the fear that some dire mishap has come to him.” His Majesty would have felt very much relieved in mind if he could have known that nothing serious had occurred to the prince.

When like the rest of the Brownies Florimel had gone to seek what information he could he had strayed nearer to the palace than perhaps in prudence he should have done.

With the impetuosity of youth he was ready to storm the palace single-handed, but he realized that such a rash, foolhardy attempt would only bring disaster to the whole band.

So he gazed toward the lights that gleamed from the windows, wondering all the while what t.i.tania was doing at the time, and if Dragonfel was very cruel to her.

He was really helpless just then to exert himself in her behalf, and he turned with a sigh to go back.

The rigors of the hards.h.i.+ps through which he had pa.s.sed pressed heavily, and excessive weariness overcame him. He felt a sudden faintness, and sank upon a gra.s.sy bank to rest.

He did not dream that prying eyes for some time had been watching him from an open panel in a fence hard by.

Those keen, malicious...o...b.. followed every movement that Florimel made, and when they noticed him yawn, and rub his lids to keep the sleep from them, they glittered and gleamed with exultation.

Then Florimel's eyes in spite of him closed, and his tired head sank back in the deep gra.s.s.

From the fence the Red Spirit issued like a wraith. Noiselessly he advanced toward the unconscious prince, and bending down began with deft, adroit fingers to remove the quiver slung across his back.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

But light as the thieving touch was it aroused Florimel who sprang at once to his feet.

Quick though he was he still was not quick enough. All that he heard was a whirring sound, and in a flash he noticed that his bow was missing.

His hand involuntarily sought his back only to find that the quiver had been craftily taken from it.

Wide awake and full of alarm now he ran with all speed back to the locality that King Stanislaus had designated for the reunion of the band. But the half-hour had elapsed, and the Brownies were not there.

Then he noticed in the sand prints of narrow, tapering feet all leading down the beach, and he flew in the direction they pointed. But when he reached the spot where the Policeman had made his discovery the Brownies were not there, either.

He felt convinced that they had started for Dragonfel's palace, and he ran as fast as he could to overtake them, pa.s.sing the engine-house, and going over the bridge.