FAIRY WELL AND PLOT OF GNOMES. 53

‘One difficulty alone occurs to me. The
giants on whom thou hast practised so many
tricks will at once suspect thee of a snare to
entrap them. Thou wilt have to find some
messenger whom they will believe.”

“Of that I have thought,” replied the
gnome, “and I have provided for it. The
blue dragon-fly is on friendly terms with the
giants, and would be a fitting messenger.
Say’st thou not so?”

“ None better,” said Toto the Slim.

“Then the sooner I see her the better,”
replied the gnome, “so good night, friend elf.”

Away sped the gnome on his mischievous
errand, and the elf crept back to his bed,
where he soon slept soundly once more.

The next day the blue dragon-fly called
pettishly to her attendants, “ Knows any one
the whereabouts of the giants to-day ?”

“May it please thy ladyship,” began the first
lady-in-waiting, “we heard that the giants
have found the heat so oppressive that they
departed this morning for the sea-shore, to
wade about in the channel, hoping to refresh
themselves after the restless night they had
passed.”