Afteraboutanhour，thedooropened，andthebaker’smanappearedwithapailinhishand。Hewenttoapumpthatstoodinthestreet，andhavingfilledhispailreturnedwithitintotheshop。
Curdiestoleafterhim，foundthedooronthelatch，openeditverygently，peepedin，sawnobody，andentered。Rememberingperfectlyfromwhatshelfthebaker’swifehadtakentheloafshesaidwasthebest，andseeingjustoneuponit，heseizedit，laidthepriceofitonthecounter，andspedsoftlyout，andupthestreet。OncemoreinthedungeonbesideLina，hisfirstthoughtwastofastenupthedooragain，whichwouldhavebeeneasy，somanyironfragmentsofallsortsandsizeslayabout;buthebethoughthimselfthatifheleftitasitwas，andtheycametofindhim，theywouldconcludeatoncethattheyhadmadetheirescapebyit，andwouldlooknofarthersoastodiscoverthehole。Hethereforemerelypushedthedoorcloseandleftit。Thenoncemorecarefullyarrangingtheearthbehindtheshutter，sothatitshouldagainfallwithit，hereturnedtothecellar。
Andnowhehadtoconveytheloaftotheprincess。Ifhecouldventuretotakeithimself，well;ifnot，hewouldsendLina。Hecrepttothedooroftheservants’hall，andfoundthesleepersbeginningtostir。Onesaiditwastimetogotobed;another，thathewouldgotothecellarinstead，andhaveamugofwinetowakenhimup;whileathirdchallengedafourthtogivehimhisrevengeatsomegameorother。
’Oh，hangyourlosses！’answeredhiscompanion;’you’llsoonpickuptwiceasmuchaboutthehouse，ifyoubutkeepyoureyesopen。’
Perceivingtherewouldberiskinattemptingtopassthrough，andreflectingthattheportersinthegreathallwouldprobablybeawakealso，Curdiewentbacktothecellar，tookIrene’shandkerchiefwiththeloafinit，tieditroundLina’sneck，andtoldhertotakeittotheprincess。
Usingeveryshadowandeveryshelter，Linaslidthroughtheservantslikeashapelessterrorthroughaguiltymind，andso，bycorridorandgreathall，upthestairtotheking’schamber。
Irenetrembledalittlewhenshesawherglidesoundlessinacrossthesilentduskofthemorning，thatfilteredthroughtheheavydraperyofthewindows，butsherecoveredherselfatoncewhenshesawthebundleaboutherneck，foritbothassuredherofCurdie’ssafety，andgaveherhopeofherfather’s。Sheuntieditwithjoy，andLinastoleaway，silentasshehadcome。Herjoywasthegreaterthatthekinghadwakedupalittlebefore，andexpressedadesireforfood—notthathefeltexactlyhungry，hesaid，andyethewantedsomething。Ifonlyhemighthaveapieceofnicefreshbread！Irenehadnoknife，butwitheagerhandsshebrokeagreatpiecefromtheloaf，andpouredoutafullglassofwine。
Thekingateanddrank，enjoyedthebreadandthewinemuch，andinstantlyfellasleepagain。
Itwashoursbeforethelazypeoplebroughttheirbreakfast。Whenitcame，Irenecrumbledalittleabout，threwsomeintothefireplace，andmanagedtomakethetraylookjustasusual。
inthemeantime，downbelowinthecellar，Curdiewaslyinginthehollowbetweentheuppersidesoftwoofthegreatcasks，thewarmestplacehecouldfind。Linawaswatching。Shelayathisfeet，acrossthetwocasks，anddidherbestsotoarrangeherhugetailthatitshouldbeawarmcoverlidforhermaster。
ByandbyDrKelmancalledtoseehispatient;andnowthatIrene’seyeswereopened，shesawclearlyenoughthathewasbothannoyedandpuzzledatfindingHisMajestyratherbetter。Hepretendedhowevertocongratulatehim，sayinghebelievedhewasquitefittoseethelordchamberlain：hewantedhissignaturetosomethingimportant;onlyhemustnotstrainhismindtounderstandit，whateveritmightbe：ifHisMajestydid，hewouldnotbeanswerablefortheconsequences。Thekingsaidhewouldseethelordchamberlain，andthedoctorwent。
ThenIrenegavehimmorebreadandwine，andthekingateanddrank，andsmiledafeeblesmile，thefirstrealoneshehadseenformanyaday。Hesaidhefeltmuchbetter，andwouldsoonbeabletotakemattersintohisownhandsagain。Hehadastrangemiserablefeeling，hesaid，thatthingsweregoingterriblywrong，althoughhecouldnottellhow。ThentheprincesstoldhimthatCurdiehadcome，andthatatnight，whenallwasquietfornobodyinthepalacemustknow，hewouldpayHisMajestyavisit。Hergreat—great—grandmotherhadsenthim，shesaid。Thekinglookedstrangelyuponher，butthestrangelookpassedintoasmileclearerthanthefirst，andirene’sheartthrobbedwithdelight。
CHAPTER22
TheLordChamberlainAtnoonthelordchamberlainappeared。Withalong，lowbow，andpaperinhand，hesteppedsoftlyintotheroom。GreetingHisMajestywitheveryappearanceoftheprofoundestrespect，andcongratulatinghimontheevidentprogresshehadmade，hedeclaredhimselfsorrytotroublehim，buttherewerecertainpapers，hesaid，whichrequiredhissignature—andtherewithdrewnearertotheking，wholaylookingathimdoubtfully。Hewasalean，long，yellowman，withasmallhead，baldoverthetop，andtuftedatthebackandabouttheears。Hehadaverythin，prominent，hookednose，andaquantityoflooseskinunderhischinandaboutthethroat，whichcamecraningupoutofhisneckcloth。Hiseyeswereverysmall，sharp，andglittering，andlookedblackasjet。Hehadhardlyenoughofamouthtomakeasmilewith。Hislefthandheldthepaper，andthelong，skinnyfingersofhisrightapenjustdippedinink。
Buttheking，whoforweekshadscarcelyknownwhathedid，wastodaysomuchhimselfastobeawarethathewasnotquitehimself;
andthemomenthesawthepaper，heresolvedthathewouldnotsignwithoutunderstandingandapprovingofit。Herequestedthelordchamberlainthereforetoreadit。HisLordshipcommencedatoncebutthedifficultiesheseemedtoencounter，andthefitsofstammeringthatseizedhim，rousedtheking’ssuspiciontenfold。
Hecalledtheprincess。
’ItroubleHisLordshiptoomuch，’hesaidtoher：’youcanreadprintwell，mychild—letmehearhowyoucanreadwriting。TakethatpaperfromHisLordship’shand，andreadittomefrombeginningtoend，whilemylorddrinksaglassofmyfavouritewine，andwatchesforyourblunders。’
’Pardonme，YourMajesty，’saidthelordchamberlain，withasmuchofasmileashewasabletoextemporize，’butitwereathousandpitiestoputtheattainmentsofHerRoyalHighnesstoatestaltogethertoosevere。YourMajestycanscarcelywithjusticeexpecttheveryorgansofherspeechtoprovecapableofcompassingwordssolong，andtohersounintelligible。’
’Ithinkmuchofmylittleprincessandhercapabilities，’returnedtheking，moreandmorearoused。’Pray，mylord，permithertotry。’
’Consider，YourMajesty：thethingwouldbealtogetherwithoutprecedent。itwouldbetomakesportofstatecraft，’saidthelordchamberlain。
’Perhapsyouareright，mylord，’answeredtheking，withmoremeaningthanheintendedshouldbemanifest，whiletohisgrowingjoyhefeltnewlifeandpowerthrobbinginheartandbrain。’Sothismorningweshallreadnofurther。Iamindeedillableforbusinessofsuchweight。’
’WillYourMajestypleasesignyourroyalnamehere？’saidthelordchamberlain，preferringtherequestasamatterofcourse，andapproachingwiththefeatherendofthepenpointedtoaspotwheretherewasagreatredseal。
’Nottoday，mylord，’repliedtheking。
’Itisofthegreatestimportance，YourMajesty，’softlyinsistedtheother。
’Idescriednosuchimportanceinit，’saidtheking。
’YourMajestyheardbutapart。’
’AndIcanhearnomoretoday。’
’ItrustYourMajestyhasgroundenough，inacaseofnecessitylikethepresent，tosignupontherepresentationofhisloyalsubjectandchamberlain？OrshallIcallthelordchancellor？’headded，rising。
’Thereisnoneed。Ihavetheveryhighestopinionofyourjudgement，mylord，’answeredtheking;’thatis，withrespecttomeans：wemightdifferastoends。’
Thelordchamberlainmadeyetfurtherattemptsatpersuasion;buttheygrewfeeblerandfeebler，andhewasatlastcompelledtoretirewithouthavinggainedhisobject。Andwellmighthisannoyancebekeen！Forthatpaperwastheking’swill，drawnupbytheattorney—general;noruntiltheyhadtheking’ssignaturetoitwastheremuchuseinventuringfarther。Buthisworstsenseofdiscomfiturearosefromfindingthekingwithsomuchcapacityleft，forthedoctorhadpledgedhimselfsotoweakenhisbrainthatheshouldbeasachildintheirhands，incapableofrefusinganythingrequestedofhim：HisLordshipbegantodoubtthedoctor’sfidelitytotheconspiracy。
Theprincesswasinhighdelight。Shehadnotforweeksheardsomanywords，nottosaywordsofsuchstrengthandreason，fromherfather’slips：daybydayhehadbeengrowIngweakerandmorelethargic。Hewassomuchexhausted，however，afterthiseffort，thatheaskedforanotherpieceofbreadandmorewine，andfellfastasleepthemomenthehadtakenthem。
ThelordchamberlainsentinarageforDrKelman。Hecame，andwhileprofessinghimselfunabletounderstandthesymptomsdescribedbyHisLordship，yetpledgedhimselfagainthatonthemorrowthekingshoulddowhateverwasrequiredofhim。
Thedaywenton。WhenHisMajestywasawake，theprincessreadtohim—onestorybookafteranother;andwhateversheread，thekinglistenedasifhehadneverheardanythingsogoodbefore，makingoutinitthewisestmeanings。Everynowandthenheaskedforapieceofbreadandalittlewine，andeverytimeheateanddrankheslept，andeverytimehewokeheseemedbetterthanthelasttime。Theprincessbearingherpart，theloafwaseatenupandtheflagonemptiedbeforenight。Thebutlertooktheflagonaway，andbroughtitbackfilledtothebrim，butbothwerethirstyandhungrywhenCurdiecameagain。
MeantimeheandLina，watchingandwakingalternately，hadplentyofsleep。Intheafternoon，peepingfromtherecess，theysawseveraloftheservantsenterhurriedly，oneaftertheother，drawwine，drinkit，andstealout;buttheirbusinesswastotakecareoftheking，notofhiscellar，andtheyletthemdrink。Also，whenthebutlercametofilltheflagon，theyrestrainedthemselves，forthevillain’sfatewasnotyetreadyforhim。Helookedterriblyfrightened，andhadbroughtwithhimalargecandleandasmallterrier—whichlatterindeedthreatenedtobetroublesome，forhewentrovingandsniffingaboutuntilhecametotherecesswheretheywere。Butassoonasheshowedhimself，Linaopenedherjawssowide，andglaredathimsohorribly，that，withoutevenutteringawhimper，hetuckedhistailbetweenhislegsandrantohismaster。Hewasdrawingthewickedwineatthemoment，anddidnotseehim，elsehewoulddoubtlesshaveruntoo。
Whensuppertimeapproached，Curdietookhisplaceatthedoorintotheservants’hall;butafteralonghour’svainwatch，hebegantofearheshouldgetnothing：therewassomuchidlingabout，aswellascomingandgoing。itwashardtobear—chieflyfromtheattractionsofasplendidloaf，justfreshoutoftheoven，whichhelongedtosecureforthekingandprincess。Atlengthhischancedidarrive：hepouncedupontheloafandcarrieditaway，andsoonaftergotholdofapie。
Thistime，however，bothloafandpieweremissed。Thecookwascalled。Hedeclaredhehadprovidedboth。Oneofthemselves，hesaid，musthavecarriedthemawayforsomefriendoutsidethepalace。Thenahousemaid，whohadnotlongbeenoneofthem，saidshehadseensomeonelikeapagerunninginthedirectionofthecellarwithsomethinginhishands。Instantlyallturneduponthepages，accusingthem，oneafteranother。Alldenied，butnobodybelievedoneofthem：Wherethereisnotruththerecanbenofaith。
Tothecellartheyallsetouttolookforthemissingpieandloaf。Linaheardthemcoming，aswellshemight，fortheyweretalkingandquarrellingloud，andgavehermasterwarning。Theysnatchedupeverything，andgotallsignsoftheirpresenceoutatthebackdoorbeforetheservantsentered。Whentheyfoundnothing，theyallturnedonthechambermaid，andaccusedher，notonlyoflyingagainstthepages，butofhavingtakenthethingsherself。TheirlanguageandbehavioursodisgustedCurdie，whocouldhearagreatpartofwhatpassed，andhesawthedangerofdiscoverynowsomuchincreased，thathebegantodevisehowbestatoncetoridthepalaceofthewholepackofthem。That，however，wouldbesmallgainsolongasthetreacherousofficersofstatecontinuedinit。Theymustbefirstdealtwith。Athoughtcametohim，andthelongerhelookedatitthebetterhelikedit。
Assoonastheservantsweregone，quarrellingandaccusingalltheway，theyreturnedandfinishedtheirsupper。ThenCurdie，whohadlongbeensatisfiedthatLinaunderstoodalmosteverywordhesaid，communicatedhisplantoher，andknewbythewaggingofhertailandtheflashingofhereyesthatshecomprehendedit。Untiltheyhadthekingsafethroughtheworstpartofthenight，however，nothingcouldbedone。
Theyhadnowmerelytogoonwaitingwheretheyweretillthehouseholdshouldbeasleep。ThiswaitingandwaitingwasmuchthehardestthingCurdiehadtodointhewholeaffair。Hetookhismattockand，goingagainintothelongpassage，lightedacandleendandproceededtoexaminetherockonallsides。Butthiswasnotmerelytopassthetime：hehadareasonforit。Whenhebrokethestoneinthestreet，overwhichthebakerfell，itsappearanceledhimtopocketafragmentforfurtherexamination;andsincethenhehadsatisfiedhimselfthatitwasthekindofstoneinwhichgoldisfound，andthattheyellowparticlesinitwerepuremetal。Ifsuchstoneexistedhereinanyplenty，hecouldsoonmakethekingrichandindependentofhisill—conditionedsubjects。
Hewasthereforenowbentonanexaminationoftherock;norhadhebeenatitlongbeforehewaspersuadedthattherewerelargequantitiesofgoldinthehalf—crystallinewhitestone，withitsveinsofopaquewhiteandofgreen，ofwhichtherock，sofarashehadbeenabletoinspectit，seemedalmostentirelytoconsist。
Everypiecehebrokewasspottedwithparticlesandlittlelumpsofalovelygreenishyellow—andthatwasgold。Hithertohehadworkedonlyinsilver，buthehadread，andheardtalk，andknew，therefore，aboutgold。Assoonashehadgotthekingfreeofroguesandvillains，hewouldhaveallthebestandmosthonestminers，withhisfatherattheheadofthem，toworkthisrockfortheking。
Itwasagreatdelighttohimtousehismattockoncemore。Thetimewentquickly，andwhenheleftthepassagetogototheking’schamber，hehadalreadyagoodheapoffragmentsbehindthebrokendoor。
CHAPTER23
DrKelmanAssoonashehadreasontohopethewaywasclear，Curdieventuredsoftlyintothehall，withLinabehindhim。Therewasnooneasleeponthebenchorfloor，butbythefadingfiresatagirlweeping。Itwasthesamewhohadseenhimcarryingoffthefood，andhadbeensohardlyusedforsayingso。Sheopenedhereyeswhenheappeared，butdidnotseemfrightenedathim。
’Iknowwhyyouweep，’saidCurdie，’andIamsorryforyou。’
’Itishardnottobebelievedjustbecauseonespeaksthetruth，’
saidthegirl，’butthatseemsreasonenoughwithsomepeople。Mymothertaughtmetospeakthetruth，andtooksuchpainswithmethatIshouldfindithardtotellalie，thoughIcouldinventmanyastorytheseservantswouldbelieveatonce;forthetruthisastrangethinghere，andtheydon’tknowitwhentheyseeit。
Showitthem，andtheyallstareasifitwereawickedlie，andthatwiththelieyetwarmthathasjustlefttheirownmouths！
Youareastranger，’shesaid，andburstoutweepingafresh，’butthestrangeryouaretosuchaplaceandsuchpeoplethebetter！’
’Iamtheperson，’saidCurdie，whomyousawcarryingthethingsfromthesuppertable。’Heshowedhertheloaf。’Ifyoucantrust，aswellasspeakthetruth，Iwilltrustyou。Canyoutrustme？’
Shelookedathimsteadilyforamoment。
’Ican，’sheanswered。
’Onethingmore，’saidCurdie：’haveyoucourageaswellastruth？’
’Ithinkso。’
’Lookmydoginthefaceanddon’tcryout。Comehere，Lina。’
Linaobeyed。Thegirllookedather，andlaidherhandonLina’shead。
’NowIknowyouareatruewoman，’saidcurdie。’Iamcometosetthingsrightinthishouse。NotoneoftheservantsknowsIamhere。Willyoutellthemtomorrowmorningthat，iftheydonotaltertheirways，andgiveoverdrinking，andlying，andstealing，andunkindness，theyshalleveryoneofthembedrivenfromthepalace？’
’Theywillnotbelieveme。’
’Mostlikely;butwillyougivethemthechance？’
’Iwill。’
’ThenIwillbeyourfriend。WaitheretillIcomeagain。’
Shelookedhimoncemoreintheface，andsatdown。
Whenhereachedtheroyalchamber，hefoundHisMajestyawake，andveryanxiouslyexpectinghim。Hereceivedhimwiththeutmostkindness，andatonce，asitwere，puthimselfinhishandsbytellinghimallheknewconcerningthestatehewasin。Hisvoicewasfeeble，buthiseyewasclear，althoughnowandthenhiswordsandthoughtsseemedtowander。Curdiecouldnotbecertainthatthecauseoftheirnotbeingintelligibletohimdidnotlieinhimself。Thekingtoldhimthatforsomeyears，eversincehisqueen’sdeath，hehadbeenlosingheartoverthewickednessofhispeople。Hehadtriedhardtomakethemgood，buttheygotworseandworse。Evilteachers，unknowntohim，hadcreptintotheschools;therewasageneraldecayoftruthandrightprincipleatleastinthecity;andasthatsettheexampletothenation，itmustspread。
Themaincauseofhisillnesswasthedespondencywithwhichthedegenerationofhispeopleaffectedhim。Hecouldnotsleep，andhadterribledreams;while，tohisunspeakableshameanddistress，hedoubtedalmosteverybody。Hehadstrivenagainsthissuspicion，butinvain，andhisheartwassore，forhiscourtiersandcouncillorswerereallykind;onlyhecouldnotthinkwhynoneoftheirladiescamenearhisprincess。Thewholecountrywasdiscontented，heheard，andthereweresignsofgatheringstormoutsideaswellasinsidehisborders。Themasterofthehorsegavehimsadnewsoftheinsubordinationofthearmy;andhisgreatwhitehorsewasdead，theytoldhim;andhisswordhadlostitstemper：itbentdoublethelasttimehetriedit！—onlyperhapsthatwasinadream;andtheycouldnotfindhisshield;andoneofhisspurshadlosttherowel。
Thusthepoorkingwentwanderinginamazeofsorrows，someofwhichwerepurelyimaginary，whileothersweretruerthanheunderstood。Hetoldhowthievescameatnightandtriedtotakehiscrown，sothatheneverdaredletitoutofhishandsevenwhenheslept;andhow，everynight，anevildemonintheshapeofhisphysiciancameandpouredpoisondownhisthroat。Heknewittobepoison，hesaid，somehow，althoughittastedlikewine。
Herehestopped，faintwiththeunusualexertionoftalking。
Curdieseizedtheflagon，andrantothewinecellar。
Intheservants’hallthegirlstillsatbythefire，waitingforhim。Ashereturnedhetoldhertofollowhim，andleftheratthechamberdooruntilheshouldrejoinher。Whenthekinghadhadalittlewine，heinformedhimthathehadalreadydiscoveredcertainofHisMajesty’senemies，andoneoftheworstofthemwasthedoctor，foritwasnootherdemonthanthedoctorhimselfwhohadbeencomingeverynight，andgivinghimaslowpoison。
’So！’saidtheking。’ThenIhavenotbeensuspiciousenough，forIthoughtitwasbutadream！IsitpossibleKelmancanbesuchawretch？WhothenamItotrust？’
’Notoneinthehouse，excepttheprincessandmyself，’saidCurdie。
’Iwillnotgotosleep，’saidtheking。
’Thatwouldbeasbadastakingthepoison，’saidCurdie。’No，no，sire;youmustshowyourconfidencebyleavingallthewatchingtome，anddoingallthesleepingYourMajestycan。’
Thekingsmiledacontentedsmile，turnedonhisside，andwaspresentlyfastasleep。ThenCurdiepersuadedtheprincessalsotogotosleep，andtellingLinatowatch，wenttothehousemaid。Heaskedherifshecouldinformhimwhichofthecouncilsleptinthepalace，andshowhimtheirrooms。Shekneweveryoneofthem，shesaid，andtookhimtheroundofalltheirdoors，tellinghimwhichsleptineachroom。Hethendismissedher，andreturningtotheking’schamber，seatedhimselfbehindacurtainattheheadofthebed，onthesidefarthestfromtheking。HetoldLinatogetunderthebed，andmakenonoise。
Aboutoneo’clockthedoctorcamestealingin。Helookedroundfortheprincess，andseeingnoone，smiledwithsatisfactionasheapproachedthewinewhereitstoodunderthelamp。Havingpartlyfilledaglass，hetookfromhispocketasmallphial，andfilleduptheglassfromit。Thelightfelluponhisfacefromabove，andCurdiesawthesnakeinitplainlyvisible。Hehadneverbeheldsuchanevilcountenance：themanhatedtheking，anddelightedindoinghimwrong。
Withtheglassinhishand，hedrewnearthebed，setitdown，andbeganhisusualruderousingofHisMajesty。Notatoncesucceeding，hetookalancetfromhispocket，andwaspartingitscoverwithaninvoluntaryhissofhatebetweenhisclosedteeth，whenCurdiestoopedandwhisperedtoLina。
’Takehimbytheleg，Lina。’Shedartednoiselesslyuponhim。
Withafaceofhorribleconsternation，hegavehislegonetugtofreeit;thenextinstantCurdieheardtheonescrunchwithwhichshecrushedthebonelikeastickofcelery。Hetumbledonthefloorwithayell。
’Draghimout，Lina，’saidCurdie。
Linatookhimbythecollar，anddraggedhimout。Hermasterfollowedhertodirecther，andtheyleftthedoctorlyingacrossthelordchamberlain’sdoor，wherehegaveanotherhorribleyell，andfainted。
Thekinghadwakedathisfirstcry，andbythetimeCurdiere—enteredhehadgotathisswordwhereithungfromthecentreofthetester，haddrawnit，andwastryingtogetoutofbed。ButwhenCurdietoldhimallwaswell，helaydownagainasquietlyasachildcomfortedbyhismotherfromatroubleddream。Curdiewenttothedoortowatch。
Thedoctor’syellshadarousedmany，butnotonehadyetventuredtoappear。Bellswererungviolently，butnonewereanswered;andinaminuteortwoCurdiehadwhathewaswatchingfor。Thedoorofthelordchamberlain’sroomopened，and，palewithhideousterror，HisLordshippeepedout。Seeingnoone，headvancedtostepintothecorridor，andtumbledoverthedoctor。Curdieranup，andheldouthishand。Hereceivedinittheclawofabirdofprey—vultureoreagle，hecouldnottellwhich。
HisLordship，assoonashewasonhislegs，takinghimforoneofthepagesabusedhimheartilyfornotcomingsooner，andthreatenedhimwithdismissalfromtheking’sserviceforcowardiceandneglect。Hebeganindeedwhatbadefairtobeasermononthedutiesofapage，butcatchingsightofthemanwholayathisdoor，andseeingitwasthedoctor，hefelluponCurdieafreshforstandingtheredoingnothing，andorderedhimtofetchimmediateassistance。Curdielefthim，butslippedintotheKing’schamber，closedandlockedthedoor，andlefttherascalstolookaftereachother。Erelongheheardhurryingfootsteps，andforafewminutestherewasagreatmuffledtumultofscufflingfeet，lowvoicesanddeepgroanings;thenallwasstillagain。
Irenesleptthroughthewhole—soconfidentlydidsherest，knowingCurdiewasinherfather’sroomwatchingoverhim。
CHAPTER24
TheProphecyCurdiesatandwatchedeverymotionofthesleepingking。Allthenight，tohisear，thepalacelayasquietasanurseryofhealthfulchildren。Atsunrisehecalledtheprincess。
’HowhasHisMajestyslept？’wereherfirstwordsassheenteredtheroom。
’Quitequietly，’answeredCurdie;’thatis，sincethedoctorwasgotridof。’
’Howdidyoumanagethat？’inquiredIrene;andCurdiehadtotellallaboutit。
’Howterrible！’shesaid。’Diditnotstartlethekingdreadfully？’
’itdidrather。Ifoundhimgettingoutofbed，swordinhand。’
’Thebraveoldman！’criedtheprincess。
’Notsoold！’saidCurdie，’asyouwillsoonsee。Hewentoffagaininaminuteorso;butforalittlewhilehewasrestless，andoncewhenheliftedhishanditcamedownonthespikesofhiscrown，andhehalfwaked。’
’Butwhereisthecrown？’criedIrene，insuddenterror。
’Istrokedhishands，’answeredCurdie，’andtookthecrownfromthem;andeversincehehassleptquietly，andagainandagainsmiledinhissleep。’
’Ihaveneverseenhimdothat，’saidtheprincess。’Butwhathaveyoudonewiththecrown，Curdie？’
’Look，’saidCurdie，movingawayfromthebedside。
Irenefollowedhim—andthere，inthemiddleofthefloor，shesawastrangesight。Linalayatfulllength，fastasleep，hertailstretchedoutstraightbehindherandherforelegsbeforeher：
betweenthetwopawsmeetinginfrontofit，hernosejusttouchingitbehind，glowedandflashedthecrown，likeanestofthehummingbirdsofheaven。
Irenegazed，andlookedupwithasmile。
’Butwhatifthethiefweretocome，andshenottowake？’shesaid。’ShallItryher？’Andasshespokeshestoopedtowardthecrown。
’No，no，no！’criedCurdie，terrified。’Shewouldfrightenyououtofyourwits。Iwoulddoittoshowyou，butshewouldwakeyourfather。Youhavenoconceptionwithwhataroarshewouldspringatmythroat。ButyoushallseehowlightlyshewakesthemomentIspeaktoher。Lina！’
Shewasonherfeetthesameinstant，withhergreattailstickingoutstraightbehindher，justasithadbeenlying。
’Gooddog！’saidtheprincess，andpattedherhead。Linawaggedhertailsolemnly，liketheboomofananchoredsloop。Irenetookthecrown，andlaiditwherethekingwouldseeitwhenhewoke。
’Now，Princess，’saidCurdie，’Imustleaveyouforafewminutes。
Youmustboltthedoor，please，andnotopenittoanyone。’
AwaytothecellarhewentwithLina，takingcare，astheypassedthroughtheservants’hall，togetheragoodbreakfast。Inaboutoneminuteshehadeatenwhathegaveher，andlookedupinhisface：itwasnotmoreshewanted，butwork。Sooutofthecellartheywentthroughthepassage，andCurdieintothedungeon，wherehepulledupLina，openedthedoor，letherout，andshutitagainbehindher。Ashereachedthedooroftheking’schamber，LinawasflyingoutofthegateofGwyntystormasfastashermightylegscouldcarryher。
’What’scometothewench？’growledthemenservantsonetoanother，whenthechambermaidappearedamongthemthenextmorning。Therewassomethinginherfacewhichtheycouldnotunderstand，anddidnotlike。
’Arewealldirt？’theysaid。’Whatareyouthinkingabout？Haveyouseenyourselfintheglassthismorning，miss？’
Shemadenoanswer。
’Doyouwanttobetreatedasyoudeserve，orwillyouspeak，youhussy？’saidthefirstwoman—cook。’Iwouldfainknowwhatrightyouhavetoputonafacelikethat！’
’Youwon’tbelieveme，’saidthegirl。
’Ofcoursenot。Whatisit？’
’Imusttellyou，whetheryoubelievemeornot，’shesaid。
’ofcourseyoumust。’
’Itisthis，then：ifyoudonotrepentofyourbadways，youareallgoingtobepunished—allturnedoutofthepalacetogether。’
’Amightypunishment！’saidthebutler。’Agoodriddance，sayI，ofthetroubleofkeepingminxeslikeyouinorder！Andwhy，pray，shouldwebeturnedout？WhathaveItorepentofnow，yourholiness？’
’Thatyouknowbestyourself，’saidthegirl。
’Aprettypieceofinsolence！HowshouldIknow，forsooth，whatameniallikeyouhasgotagainstme！Therearepeopleinthishouse—oh！I’mnotblindtotheirways！—buteveryoneforhimself，sayI！Pray，Missjudgement，whogaveyousuchanimpertinentmessagetoHisMajesty’shousehold？’
’Onewhoiscometosetthingsrightintheking’shouse。’
’Right，indeed！’criedthebutler;butthatmomentthethoughtcamebacktohimoftheroarhehadheardinthecellar，andheturnedpaleandwassilent。
Thestewardtookitupnext。
’Andpray，prettyprophetess，’hesaid，attemptingtochuckherunderthechin，’whathaveIgottorepentof？’
’Thatyouknowbestyourself，’saidthegirl。’Youhavebuttolookintoyourbooksoryourheart。’
’Canyoutellme，then，whatIhavetorepentof？’saidthegroomofthechambers。’Thatyouknowbestyourself，’saidthegirloncemore。’Thepersonwhotoldmetotellyousaidtheservantsofthishousehadtorepentofthieving，andlying，andunkindness，anddrinking;andtheywillbemadetorepentofthemoneway，iftheydon’tdoitofthemselvesanother。’
Thenaroseagreathubbub;forbythistimealltheservantsinthehouseweregatheredabouther，andalltalkedtogether，intoweringindignation。
’Thieving，indeed！’criedone。’Aprettywordinahousewhereeverythingisleftlyingaboutinashamelessway，temptingpoorinnocentgirls！Ahousewherenobodycaresforanything，orhastheleastrespecttothevalueofproperty！’
’Isupposeyouenvymethisbroochofmine，’saidanother。’Therewasjustahalfsheetofnotepaperaboutit，notascrapmore，inadrawerthat’salwaysopeninthewritingtableinthestudy！
Whatsortofaplaceisthatforajewel？Canyoucallitstealingtotakeathingfromsuchaplaceasthat？Nobodycaredastrawaboutit。itmightaswellhavebeeninthedusthole！Ifithadbeenlockedup—then，tobesure！’
’Drinking！’saidthechiefporter，withahuskylaugh。’Andwhowouldn’tdrinkwhenhehadachance？Orwhowouldrepentit，exceptthatthedrinkwasgone？Tellmethat，MissInnocence。’
’Lying！’saidagreat，coarsefootman。’IsupposeyoumeanwhenI
toldyouyesterdayyouwereaprettygirlwhenyoudidn’tpout？
Lying，indeed！Tellussomethingworthrepentingof！LyingisthewayofGwyntystorm。YoushouldhaveheardJabezlyingtothecooklastnight！Hewantedasweetbreadforhispup，andpretendeditwasfortheprincess！Ha！ha！ha！’
’Unkindness！Iwonderwho’sunkind！Goingandlisteningtoanystrangeragainstherfellowservants，andthenbringingbackhiswickedwordstotroublethem！’saidtheoldestandworstofthehousemaids。’Oneofourselves，too！Come，youhypocrite！Thisisallaninventionofyoursandyouryoungman’s，totakeyourrevengeofusbecausewefoundyououtinalielastnight。Telltruenow：wasn’titthesamethatstoletheloafandthepiethatsentyouwiththeimpudentmessage？’
Asshesaidthis，shesteppeduptothehousemaidandgaveher，insteadoftimetoanswer，aboxontheearthatalmostthrewherdown;andwhoevercouldgetatherbegantopushandbustleandpinchandpunchher。
’Youinviteyourfate，’shesaidquietly。
Theyfellfuriouslyuponher，droveherfromthehallwithkicksandblows，hustledheralongthepassage，andthrewherdownthestairtothewinecellar，thenlockedthedooratthetopofit，andwentbacktotheirbreakfast。
Inthemeantimethekingandtheprincesshadhadtheirbreadandwine，andtheprincess，withCurdie’shelp，hadmadetheroomastidyasshecould—theywereterriblyneglectedbytheservants。
AndnowCurdiesethimselftointerestandamusetheking，andpreventhimfromthinkingtoomuch，inorderthathemightthesoonerthinkthebetter。Presently，atHisMajesty’srequest，hebeganfromthebeginning，andtoldeverythinghecouldrecallofhislife，abouthisfatherandmotherandtheircottageonthemountain，oftheinsideofthemountainandtheworkthere，aboutthegoblinsandhisadventureswiththem。
Whenhecametofindingtheprincessandhernurseovertakenbythetwilightonthemountain，Irenetookuphershareofthetale，andtoldallaboutherselftothatpoint，andthenCurdietookitupagain;andsotheywenton，eachfittinginthepartthattheotherdidnotknow，thuskeepingthehoopofthestoryrunningstraight;
andthekinglistenedwithwonderinganddelightedears，astonishedtofindwhathecouldsoillcomprehend，yetfittingsowelltogetherfromthelipsoftwonarrators。
Atlast，withthemissiongivenhimbythewonderfulprincessandhisconsequentadventures，Curdiebroughtupthewholetaletothepresentmoment。Thenasilencefell，andIreneandCurdiethoughtthekingwasasleep。Buthewasfarfromit;hewasthinkingaboutmanythings。Afteralongpausehesaid：
’Nowatlast，MYchildren，IamcompelledtobelievemanythingsI
couldnotanddonotyetunderstand—thingsIusedtohear，andsometimessee，asoftenasIvisitedmymother’shome。Once，forinstance，Iheardmymothersaytoherfather—speakingofme—
\"Heisagood，honestboy，buthewillbeanoldmanbeforeheunderstands\";andmygrandfatheranswered，\"Keepupyourheart，child：mymotherwilllookafterhim。\"Ithoughtoftenoftheirwords，andthemanystrangethingsbesidesIbothheardandsawinthathouse;butbydegrees，becauseIcouldnotunderstandthem，I
gaveupthinkingofthem。AndindeedIhadalmostforgottenthem，whenyou，mychild，talkingthatdayabouttheQueenIreneandherpigeons，andwhatyouhadseeninhergarret，broughtthemallbacktomymindinavaguemass。Butnowtheykeepcomingbacktome，onebyone，everyoneforitself;andIshalljustholdmypeace，andlieherequitestill，andthinkaboutthemalltillIgetwellagain。’
Whathemeanttheycouldnotquiteunderstand，buttheysawplainlythatalreadyhewasbetter。
’Putawaymycrown，’hesaid。’Iamtiredofseeingit，andhavenomoreanyfearofitssafety。’Theyputitawaytogether，withdrewfromthebedside，andlefthiminpeace。
CHAPTER25
TheAvengersTherewasnothingnowtobedreadedfromDrKelman，butitmadeCurdieanxious，astheeveningdrewnear，tothinkthatnotasoulbelongingtothecourthadbeentovisittheking，oraskhowhedid，thatday。Hefeared，insomeshapeorother，amoredeterminedassault。Hehadprovidedhimselfaplaceintheroom，towhichhemightretreatuponapproach，andwhencehecouldwatch;
butnotoncehadhehadtobetakehimselftoit。
Towardsnightthekingfellasleep。Curdiethoughtmoreandmoreuneasilyofthemomentwhenhemustagainleavethemforalittlewhile。Deeperanddeeperfelltheshadows。Noonecametolightthelamp。TheprincessdrewherchairclosetoCurdie：shewouldratheritwerenotsodark，shesaid。Shewasafraidofsomething—shecouldnottellwhat;norcouldshegiveanyreasonforherfearbutthatallwassodreadfullystill。
Whenithadbeendarkaboutanhour，CurdiethoughtLinamighthavereturned;andreflectedthatthesoonerhewentthelessdangerwasthereofanyassaultwhilehewasaway。Therewasmoreriskofhisownpresencebeingdiscovered，nodoubt，butthingswerenowdrawingtoacrisis，anditmustberun。So，tellingtheprincesstolockallthedoorsofthebedchamber，andletnoonein，hetookhismattock，andwithherearun，andthereahaltundercover，gainedthedoorattheheadofthecellarstairinsafety。Tohissurprisehefounditlocked，andthekeywasgone。Therewasnotimefordeliberation。Hefeltwherethelockwas，anddealtitatremendousblowwithhismattock。Itneededbutasecondtodashthedooropen。Someonelaidahandonhisarm。
’Whoisit？’saidCurdie。
’Itoldyoutheywouldn’tbelieveme，sir，’saidthehousemaid。’I
havebeenhereallday。’
Hetookherhand，andsaid，’Youareagood，bravegirl。Nowcomewithme，lestyourenemiesimprisonyouagain。’
Hetookhertothecellar，lockedthedoor，lightedabitofcandle，gaveheralittlewine，toldhertowaittheretillhecame，andwentoutthebackway。
Swiftlyheswunghimselfupintothedungeon。Linahaddoneherpart。Theplacewasswarmingwithcreatures—animalformswilderandmoregrotesquethaneverrampedinnightmaredream。Closebythehole，waitinghiscoming，hergreeneyespiercingthegulfbelow，Linahadbutjustlaidherselfdownwhenheappeared。Allaboutthevaultanduptheslopeoftherubbishheaplayandstoodandsquattedtheforty—ninewhosefriendshipLinahadconqueredinthewood。TheyallcamecrowdingaboutCurdie。
Hemustgetthemintothecellarasquicklyaseverhecould。Butwhenhelookedatthesizeofsomeofthem，hefeareditwouldbealongbusinesstoenlargetheholesufficientlytoletthemthrough。Atitherushed，hittingvigorouslyattheedgewithhismattock。Attheveryfirstblowcameasplashfromthewaterbeneath，buterehecouldheaveathird，acreaturelikeatapir，onlythatthegraspingpointofitsprobosciswashardasthesteelofCurdie’shammer，pushedhimgentlyaside，makingroomforanothercreature，withaheadlikeagreatclub，whichitbeganbanginguponthefloorwithterribleforceandnoise。Afteraboutaminuteofthisbattery，thetapircameupagain，shovedClubheadaside，andputtingitsownheadintotheholebegangnawingatthesidesofitwiththefingerofitsnose，insuchafashionthatthefragmentsfellinacontinuousgravellyshowerintothewater。Inafewminutestheopeningwaslargeenoughforthebiggestcreatureamongthemtogetthroughit。
Nextcamethedifficultyoflettingthemdown：somewerequitelight，butthehalfofthemweretooheavyfortherope，nottosayforhisarms。Thecreaturesthemselvesseemedtobepuzzlingwhereorhowtheyweretogo。Oneafteranotherofthemcameup，lookeddownthroughthehole，anddrewback。CurdiethoughtifheletLinadown，perhapsthatwouldsuggestsomething;possiblytheydidnotseetheopeningontheotherside。Hedidso，andLinastoodlightinguptheentranceofthepassagewithhergleamingeyes。
Onebyonethecreatureslookeddownagain，andonebyonetheydrewback，eachstandingasidetoglanceatthenext，asiftosay，Nowyouhavealook。Atlastitcametotheturnoftheserpentwiththelongbody，thefourshortlegsbehind，andthelittlewingsbefore。Nosoonerhadhepokedhisheadthroughthanhepokeditfartherthrough—andfarther，andfartheryet，untiltherewaslittlemorethanhislegsleftinthedungeon。BythattimehehadgothisheadandneckwellintothepassagebesideLina。Thenhislegsgaveagreatwaddleandspring，andhetumbledhimself，farastherewasbetwixtthem，heelsoverheadintothepassage。
’Thatisallverywellforyou，MrLegserpent！’thoughtCurdietohimself;’butwhatistobedonewiththerest？’Hehadhardlytimetothinkit，however，beforethecreature’sheadappearedagainthroughthefloor。HecaughtholdofthebarofirontowhichCurdie’sropewastied，andsettlingitsecurelyacrossthenarrowestpartoftheirregularopening，heldfasttoitwithhisteeth。ItwasplaintoCurdie，fromtheuniversalhardnessamongthem，thattheymustall，atonetimeoranother，havebeencreaturesofthemines。
Hesawatoncewhatthisonewasafter。Thebeasthadplantedhisfeetfirmlyuponthefloorofthepassage，andstretchedhislongbodyupandacrossthechasmtoserveasabridgefortherest。
Curdiemountedinstantlyuponhisneck，threwhisarmsroundhimasfarastheywouldgo，andsliddownineaseandsafety，thebridgejustbendingalittleashisweightglidedoverit。Buthethoughtsomeofthecreatureswouldtrythelegserpent’steeth。
onebyonetheodditiesfollowed，andsliddowninsafety。Whentheyseemedtobealllanded，hecountedthem：therewerebutforty—eight。Uptheropeagainhewent，andfoundonewhichhadbeenafraidtotrusthimselftothebridge，andnowonder！forhehadneitherlegsnorheadnorarmsnortail：hewasjustaroundthing，aboutafootindiameter，withanoseandmouthandeyesononesideoftheball。Hehadmadehisjourneybyrollingasswiftlyasthefleetestofthemcouldrun。Thebackofthelegserpentnotbeingflat，hecouldnotquitetrusthimselftorollstraightandnotdropintothegulf。Curdietookhiminhisarms，andthemomenthelookeddownthroughthehole，thebridgemadeitselfagain，andheslidintothepassageinsafety，withBallbodyinhisbosom。
Heranfirsttothecellartowarnthegirlnottobefrightenedattheavengersofwickedness。ThenhecalledtoLinatobringinherfriends。
Oneafteranothertheycametroopingin，tillthecellarseemedfullofthem。Thehousemaidregardedthemwithoutfear。
’Sir，’shesaid，’thereisoneofthepagesIdon’ttaketobeabadfellow。’
’Thenkeephimnearyou，’saidCurdie。’Andnowcanyoushowmeawaytotheking’schambernotthroughtheservants’hall？’
’Thereisawaythroughthechamberofthecoloneloftheguard，’
sheanswered，’butheisill，andinbed。’
’Takemethatway，’saidCurdie。
Bymanyupsanddownsandwindingsandturningsshebroughthimtoadimlylightedroom，wherelayanelderlymanasleep。Hisarmwasoutsidethecoverlid，andCurdiegavehishandahurriedgraspashewentby。Hisheartbeatforjoy，forhehadfoundagood，honest，humanhand。
’Isupposethatiswhyheisill，’hesaidtohimself。
Itwasnowcloseuponsuppertime，andwhenthegirlstoppedatthedooroftheking’schamber，hetoldhertogoandgivetheservantsonewarningmore。
’Saythemessengersentyou，’hesaid。’Iwillbewithyouverysoon。’
Thekingwasstillasleep。Curdietalkedtotheprincessforafewminutes，toldhernottobefrightenedwhatevernoisessheheard，onlytokeepherdoorlockedtillhecame，andlefther。
CHAPTER26
TheVengeanceBythetimethegirlreachedtheservants’halltheywereseatedatsupper。Aloud，confusedexclamationarosewhensheentered。Noonemaderoomforher;allstaredwithunfriendlyeyes。Apage，whoenteredthenextminutebyanotherdoor，cametoherside。
’Wheredoyoucomefrom，hussy？’shoutedthebutler，andknockedhisfistonthetablewithaloudclang。
Hehadgonetofetchwine，hadfoundthestairdoorbrokenopenandthecellardoorlocked，andhadturnedandfled。Amonghisfellows，however，hehadnowregainedwhatcouragecouldbecalledhis。
’Fromthecellar，’shereplied。’Themessengerbrokeopenthedoor，andsentmetoyouagain。’
’Themessenger！Pooh！Whatmessenger？’
’Thesamewhosentmebeforetotellyoutorepent。’
’What！Willyougofoolingitstill？Haven’tyouhadenoughofit？’criedthebutlerinarage，andstartingtohisfeet，drewnearthreateningly。
’ImustdoasIamtold，’saidthegirl。
’Thenwhydon’tyoudoasItellyou，andholdyourtongue？’saidthebutler。’Whowantsyourpreachments？IfanybodyherehasanythingtorepentOf，isn’tthatenough—andmorethanenoughforhim—butyoumustcomebotheringabout，andstirringup，tillnotadropofquietwillsettleinsidehim？Youcomealongwithme，youngwoman;we’llseeifwecan’tfindalocksomewhereinthehousethat’llholdyouin！’
’Handsoff，MrButler！’saidthepage，andsteppedbetween。
’Oh，ho！’criedthebutler，andpointedhisfatfingerathim。
’That’syou，isit，myfinefellow？Soit’syouthat’suptohertricks，isit？’
Theyouthdidnotanswer，onlystoodwithflashingeyesfixedonhim，until，growingangrierandangrier，butnotdaringastepnearer，heburstoutwitharudebutquaveringauthority：
’Leavethehouse，bothofyou！Beoff，orI’llhaveMrStewardtotalktoyou。Threatenyourmasters，indeed！Outofthehousewithyou，andshowusthewayyoutellusof！’
Twoorthreeofthefootmengotupandrangedthemselvesbehindthebutler。
’Don’tsayIthreatenyou，MrButler，’expostulatedthegirlfrombehindthepage。’ThemessengersaidIwastotellyouagain，andgiveyouonechancemore。’
’Didthemessengermentionmeinparticular？’askedthebutler，lookingthepageunsteadilyintheface。
’No，sir，’answeredthegirl。
’Ithoughtnot！Ishouldliketohearhim！’
’Thenhearhimnow，’saidCurdie，whothatmomententeredattheoppositecornerofthehall。’IspeakofthebutlerinparticularwhenIsaythatIknowmoreevilofhimthanofanyoftherest。
Hewillnotleteitherhisownconscienceormymessengerspeaktohim：Ithereforenowspeakmyself。Iproclaimhimavillain，andatraitortoHisMajestytheking。Butwhatbetterisanyoneofyouwhocaresonlyforhimself，eats，drinks，takesgoodmoney，andgivesvileserviceinreturn，stealingandwastingtheking’sproperty，andmakingofthepalace，whichoughttobeanexampleoforderandsobriety，adisgracetothecountry？’
Foramomentallstoodastonishedintosilencebythisboldspeechfromastranger。True，theysawbyhismattockoverhisshoulderthathewasnothingbutaminerboy，yetforamomentthetruthtoldnotwithstanding。ThenagreatroaringlaughburstfromthebiggestofthefootmenashecameshoulderinghiswaythroughthecrowdtowardCurdie。
’Yes，I’mright，’hecried;’Ithoughtasmuch！Thismessenger，forsooth，isnothingbutagallowsbird—afellowthecitymarshalwasgoingtohang，butunfortunatelyputitofftillheshouldbestarvedenoughtosaveropeandbethrottledwithapackthread。
Hebrokeprison，andhereheispreaching！’Ashespoke，hestretchedouthisgreathandtolayholdofhim。Curdiecaughtitinhislefthand，andheavedhismattockwiththeother。Finding，however，nothingworsethananoxhoof，herestrainedhimself，steppedbackapaceortwo，shiftedhismattocktohislefthand，andstruckhimalittlesmartblowontheshoulder。Hisarmdroppedbyhisside，hegavearoar，anddrewback。
HisfellowscamecrowdinguponCurdie。Somecalledtothedogs;
othersswore;thewomenscreamed;thefootmenandpagesgotroundhiminahalfcircle，whichhekeptfromclosingbyswinginghismattock，andhereandtherethreateningablow。
’Whoeverconfessestohavingdoneanythingwronginthishouse，howeversmall，howevergreat，andmeanstodobetter，lethimcometothiscorneroftheroom，’hecried。
Nonemovedbutthepage，whowenttowardhimskirtingthewall。
Whentheycaughtsightofhim，thecrowdbrokeintoahissofderision。
’There！See！Lookatthesinner！Heconfesses！Actuallyconfesses！Come，whatisityoustole？Thebarefacedhypocrite！
There’syoursorttosetupforreprovingotherpeople！Where’stheothernow？’
Butthemaidhadlefttheroom，andtheyletthepagepass，forhelookeddangeroustostop。Curdiehadjustputhimbetwixthimandthewall，behindthedoor，wheninrushedthebutlerwiththehugekitchenpoker，thepointofwhichhehadblownred—hotinthefire，followedbythecookwithhislongestspit。Throughthecrowd，whichscatteredrightandleftbeforethem，theycamedownuponCurdie。Utteringashrillwhistle，hecaughtthepokerablowwithhismattock，knockingthepointtotheground，whilethepagebehindhimstartedforward，andseizingthepointofthespit，heldontoitwithbothhands，thecookkickinghimfuriously。
Erethebutlercouldraisethepokeragain，orthecookrecoverthespit，witharoartoterrifythedead，Linadashedintotheroom，hereyesflaminglikecandles。Shewentstraightatthebutler。
Hewasdowninamoment，andsheonthetopofhim，wagginghertailoverhimlikealioness。
’Don’tkillhim，Lina，’saidCurdie。
’Oh，MrMiner！’criedthebutler。
’Putyourfootonhismouth，Lina，’saidCurdie。’ThetruthFeartellsisnotmuchbetterthanherlies。’
Therestofthecreaturesnowcamestalking，rolling，leaping，gliding，hobblingintotheroom，andeachashecametookthenextplacealongthewall，until，solemnandgrotesque，allstoodranged，awaitingorders。
Andnowsomeoftheculpritswerestealingtothedoorsnearestthem。Curdiewhisperedtothetwocreaturesnexthim。OffwentBallbody，rollingandboundingthroughthecrowdlikeaspentcannonshot，andwhentheforemostreachedthedoortothecorridor，therehelayatthefootofitgrinning;totheotherdoorscuttledascorpion，asbigasahugecrab。Thereststoodsostillthatsomebegantothinktheywereonlyboysdresseduptolookawful;theypersuadedthemselvestheywereonlyanotherpartofthehousemaid’sandpage’svengefulcontrivance，andtheirevilspiritsbegantoriseagain。MeantimeCurdiehad，withasecondsharpblowfromthehammerofhismattock，disabledthecook，sothatheyieldedthespitwithagroan。Henowturnedtotheavengers。
’Goatthem，’hesaid。
Thewholenine—and—fortyobeyedatonce，eachforhimself，andafterhisownfashion。Asceneofconfusionandterrorfollowed。