220 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

“Thou art a knowing elf,” answered King
Cloudcatcher, “and hast learned thy task well.
Go at once to the dwarf king, and lay the case
before him. We will await his:answer here,
and rest after our trip to yonder hill.”

So saying, the giant threw himself down in
an easy position, and in a moment his heavy
breathing swayed the tall forest trees about
and whistled through their sturdy branches.

Toto the Slim watched the sleeping giant
for a moment with great enjoyment, then
bounded up the hill, and in a twinkling stood
before the high rock that shut in King Ron-
do’s domains. The signal was given, the rock
rolled back, and Toto entered the cavern. Pro-
ceeding at once to the king’s banquet hall, he
found his majesty seated before his favorite
dish of “grubs on toast.”

“Why com’st thou in such haste?” asked
the gnome king as he finished his last mouth-
ful and, pushing back his chair, looked _be-
nignly upon the elf.

“King Rondo,” began Toto, “ the giant king,
Cloudcatcher, bade me acquaint thee with the
news that he has thy son and heir in his power,
and that there he will remain until thou dost
agree to his conditions.”