"Who dares disturb me on my busy night?" cried Vulcan, in a towering passion.
[Illustration: DRAGONFEL KNOCKING ON VULCAN'S DOOR.]
"It is I, Dragonfel, the enchanter," said the voice placatingly.
"I come on business of great import, mighty Vulcan!"
"Enter, then, and be brief," said Vulcan, with scant hospitality. "Remember I have work to do."
Dragonfel and his followers thereupon appeared in the doorway, and came forward escorted by the imps who evinced the greatest curiosity in the strange, rain-soaked visitors.
When they were within respectful distance of Vulcan the enchanter sank on one knee before him, and the rest immediately followed his example.
"Why have you sought me out?" demanded Vulcan, with distrust and suspicion on his seamed, rugged face as he sharply eyed them.
"Oh, Vulcan," spoke Dragonfel, in smooth, oily tones, "powerful as I am, I acknowledge you my master. Who else can match you in your wondrous strength?"
"You've come for a favor!" grunted the other. "Well, out with it!"
"There is to be a marriage in Fairyland. The Brownie prince is to wed the fairy queen!"
"It should concern you. Listen, Vulcan! There is no authority for such a marriage in all the annals of mythology."
The words created a deep impression upon Vulcan.
"No authority?" he repeated slowly, as though he were mentally digesting what he had just heard. "Are you sure of this?"
"There is none, I tell you," insisted Dragonfel emphatically. "It is enough to arouse the anger of the high and mighty gods. My own power will be diminished, if not lost, should this union take place." "Are you using any measures to prevent it?" asked Vulcan thoughtfully. "Aye!" was Dragonfel's decided response. "I am going across the sea with these followers of mine to interfere. Can I rely upon your powerful aid should I need it?" "How can I help you?" "If I call upon you will you convulse the earth, and rouse to fury the slumbering volcano?"
"Trust me for that!" cried Vulcan, beginning to pump the bellows. "The element of fire is still my own, to use at will."
A lightning-bolt hurled itself right in their very midst, and the resultant thunder-clap brought Dragonfel and his followers to their feet in sudden alarm. "Enough!" cried Dragonfel exultingly. "It is a compact, then!"