Here Paz stopped, shook his head, smiled, and said, “I do believe I am as bad as Knops.”

“Please go on,” said Leo.

“Well, you must forgive me, for I shall have to tell you that the frost-workers said there were no less than a thousand different forms among the crystals of which snow-flakes are made.

“Now how could I tell what pattern to choose?  It was impossible; so I told them I should have nothing to do with the pattern.  ’Make the wreath,’ said I, ‘box it, and I will carry it, or die in the attempt.’

“They did so.  The crystals were more beautiful than diamond stars.  They put it in a solid square of ice, which was packed in charcoal and straw, and then cased in cocoa matting.  To this I attached cords, and slung it about my neck.  The veil, in a satin case half an inch square, was in my wallet.

“I started in the track of the marten that carried the despatches, but changed my course many times, striving to keep in cold currents.  Finding, however, that as I neared the Equator this was impossible, I took to the sea, and went down to its highway.  Of course I had on garments impervious to water—­that is to say, water-proof—­and my wallet was as dry as a bone; but not being in the habit of travelling under ocean, my eyes were a little affected by the salt, and I became conscious that I was being followed.

“Fishes, you know, are not down on the hard rocky bed of the sea, and I had passed the homes of mermen, so I was puzzled to know who could be my enemy.  I would not so much as betray my fears by looking behind, and I had enough to do in looking forward, for at every other step there were fissures which had to be leaped, deep abysses to be avoided, chasms to be crossed, and sands which might ingulf me.

“Still, as I struggled on, I could hear the sound of other feet following mine, now nearing me, now farther away, as my speed asserted itself.  It made me shiver to think what might be my fate, and I can honestly say that the thought of failing to fulfill my errand bore as heavily upon me as the sense of personal dangers; for it is a great thing to be trusted, to be looked upon as honest and true, and deemed capable of transacting affairs even of small moment.

“But this was not a trifling matter.  The neglect to deliver this gift could bring about serious trouble.  The Fays were our friends, and friendship is never to be slighted.  It is not kind to allow selfish matters to stand in the way when we are bidden to a joyous celebration, and had not our King felt that the claims of man were more urgent than those of the Fays he would have attended this feast in person.  As he could not, the gift was to represent him.  I trust I have made it clear to you.”

“Quite so,” said Leo.  “But I am crazy to know who was following you.”

“So was I at that time, and I resolved to get into the first empty shell I could find where I might hide.  There was soon an opportunity.  A heap of cast-off shells presented itself, and I popped into an enormous crab cover, where I waited for my unknown companion to overtake me.