For a moment there was perfect silence in the room.  All present realized that this was a decree of death to the strangers.  Trot was greatly surprised at the decision, and for a moment she thought her heart had stopped beating, for a wave of fear swept over her.  Button-Bright flushed red as a Pinky and then grew very pale.  He crept closer to Trot and took her hand in his own, pressing it to give the little girl courage.  As for Cap’n Bill, he was watching the smiling face of the Witch in a puzzled but not hopeless way, for he thought she did not seem wholly in earnest in what she had said.

“The case is decided,” announced Tourmaline in a clear, cold voice.  “The three strangers shall be taken at once to the edge of the island and thrown over the bushes into the sky.”

“It’s raining hard outside,” announced Coralie, who sat near the door.  “Why not wait until this shower is over?”

“I have said ‘at once,’” replied the little Queen with dignity, “and so it must be at once.  We are accustomed to rain, so it need not delay us, and when a disagreeable duty is to be performed, the sooner it is accomplished the better.”

“May I ask, ma’am,” said Cap’n Bill, addressing the Witch, “why you have decided to murder of us in this cold-blooded way?”

“I did not decide to murder you,” answered Rosalie.

“To throw us off the island will be murder,” declared the sailor.

“Then they cannot throw you off,” the Witch replied.

“The Queen says they will.”

“I know,” said Rosalie, “but I’m quite positive her people can’t do it.”

This statement astonished all the Pinkies, who looked at the Witch inquiringly.  “Why not?” asked Tourmaline.

“It is evident to me,” said the Witch, speaking slowly and distinctly, “that these Earth people are protected in some way by fairies.  They may not be aware of this themselves, nor did I see any fairies in my vision.  But if you will think upon it carefully, you will realize that the Magic Umbrella has no power in itself, but is enchanted by fairy power so that it is made to fly and carry passengers through the air by fairies.  This being the case, I do not think you will be allowed to injure these favored people in any way; but I am curious to see in what manner the fairies will defend them, and therefore I have voted to have them thrown off the island.  I bear these strangers no ill will, nor do I believe they are in any danger.  But since you, Tourmaline, have determined to attempt this terrible thing at once, I shall go with you and see what will happen.”

Some of the Pinkies looked pleased and some troubled at this speech, but they all prepared to escort the prisoners to the nearest edge of the island.  The rain was pouring down in torrents, and umbrellas were unknown; but all of them, both men and women, slipped gossamer raincoats over their clothing, which kept the rain from wetting them.  Then they caught up their sharp sticks and surrounding the doomed captives commanded them to march to meet their fate.