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, passing the engine-house, and going over the bridge.
When he was approaching the palace he saw five persons very small of stature, each with a big brass instrument, standing just outside the entrance. The doors swung suddenly open, they passed through them, and then the doors closed again.
Florimel quickened his pace with the determination to follow them, but just when he was about to pound upon the doors for admittance tiny but strong hands grasped him, and held him back, and he heard the whispered warning:
“Don’t, or you will ruin all!”
