In a few moments, he was dragged on his back upon what seemed to be a long, wide board, and then the board, with him upon it, was lifted up and carried through a number of passageways, and finally set down again on the ground. The board was then gently pulled from under him, there was a confused rustling sound, the bonds on his limbs suddenly loosened, and all became quiet.
Harry sprang to his feet and found himself in a small chamber about twelve feet square, with apparently neither door nor window. Of course he knew there must be a doorway somewhere, as he had just been brought through one; but he was unable to discover any sign of it now. The room was well lighted in some way from the lofty ceiling, and contained a long, low couch along one of the walls.
Harry carefully examined his prison, and then sat down on the edge of the couch, and gave a long whistle.
“Well!” he cried, “this is a lark and no mistake! I wish I could get out of this hole.”
But it needed only a glance at those bare stone walls to show him the uselessness of such a wish. Finally he gave up thinking about his strange situation, and being thoroughly tired out, threw himself back on the couch, and was soon fast asleep.
On awakening, the first object that met his gaze was a low table beside him, covered with a tempting display of food.
“Well!” he exclaimed, rubbing his eyes in amazement, “if it isn’t just like magic!”
The food smelled good, and also tasted good, as he soon discovered; and when he had finished eating there was little of it left. After that, he walked around the room a number of times, and then lay down and slept again.
When he awoke the second time, the little table had disappeared. While he lay there, half dozing, he saw a door in the opposite side of the room noiselessly open and immediately close again. A moment later, something soft touched his head, and he beheld his old elfin friend standing beside him, nodding and grinning.