And then there began the most extraordinary hunt for the airships hidden in the mist that can well be imagined.
It proved to be more difficult and perplexing than the searchers had at first thought would be the case. They went up and down, to and fro, going too far in one direction, then turning, only soon to find that they had travelled too far in the opposite track. It was a veritable game of blindman's-buff, and as time went on, and Fumenta's prediction about the mist clearing seemed likely to be realised, the seekers became first anxious and then seriously alarmed. It was true that the sounds given out by Alondra's wondrous little instrument varied according to their distance from those who were signalling to them; but the differences were so slight as to be extremely difficult to detect.
At last, however, their perseverance was rewarded. Gerald was the first to catch sight of what they sought. A half-smothered exclamation from him drew the attention of the others to what seemed no more than a dark shadow. They were all actually passing it, and in another moment or two would have lost sight of it. But when Gerald pointed it out, Alondra made a dart towards it, and quickly called to his companions to follow him.
A few minutes later they were standing on the deck of the king's yacht, and Alondra was folded in his father's arms.
'What has happened, father?' he asked. 'Where is the _Ivenia_?'
'Ah, that is what I want to know!' Ivanta confessed. 'Some strange, unforeseen occurrence--an accident, or treachery, I know not what--has hidden her away. Thanks to the machinations of Agrando and Zuanstroom, the whole of the people of my realm seem to have gone mad and turned against me. For the time being, Alondra, your father is an exile, a fugitive, with scarce a friend in the world.'
'You have one friend, oh king!--one who has some followers you may depend upon,' said Fumenta, stepping forward. 'If you will accept my services'----
'Who are you?' the king asked, turning to him wonderingly.
'Fumenta! The one who is in rebellion against me!' he exclaimed, eying the outlaw chief keenly and coldly.
'Not so, oh king!' Fumenta answered, drawing himself up proudly. 'No rebel against you have I ever been! No one can say it! But against your vassal Agrando, yes! I have been his sworn enemy for many a year, and not without good reason; but against you I have had no other complaint to make than that you supported him against me. Doubtless you were misled by false and lying misrepresentations, and had you known the truth---- But there is no time for the discussion of such matters now. I offer you safe asylum, not for yourself and your followers only, but for your airships. You will find that I and all my people are loyal to you, and will fight to the death against Agrando and his allies.'