"Gone," replied Rinkitink, "but she cannot go far, as this is an
island. However, I have found Bilbil, and our party is again reunited.
You have recovered your magic powers, and again we are masters of the
situation. So let us be thankful."
Saying this, the good little King got upon his feet and limped back
into the throne room to help comfort the women.
Presently the children of Pingaree, who had been gathered together by
the overseer, were brought in and restored to their mothers, and there
was great rejoicing among them, you may be sure.
"But where is Queen Garee, my dear mother?" questioned Inga; but the
women did not know and it was some time before the overseer remembered
that one of the slaves from Pingaree had been placed in the royal
dairy. Perhaps this was the woman the boy was seeking.
Inga at once commanded him to lead the way to the butter house, but
when they arrived there Queen Garee was nowhere in the place, although
the boy found a silk scarf which he recognized as one that his mother
used to wear. Then they began a search throughout the island of
Coregos, but could not find Inga's mother anywhere.
When they returned to the palace of Queen Cor, Rinkitink discovered
that the bridge of boats had again been removed, separating them from
Regos, and from this they suspected that Queen Cor had fled to her
husband's island and had taken Queen Garee with her. Inga was much
perplexed what to do and returned with his friends to the palace to
talk the matter over.
Zella was now crying because she had not sold her honey and was unable
to return to her parents on the island of Regos, but the boy prince
comforted her and promised she should be protected until she could be
restored to her home. Rinkitink found Queen Cor's purse, which she had
had no time to take with her, and gave Zella several gold pieces for
the honey. Then Inga ordered the palace servants to prepare a feast for
all the women and children of Pingaree and to prepare for them beds in
the great palace, which was large enough to accommodate them all.
Then the boy and the goat and Rinkitink and Zella went into a private
room to consider what should be done next.