Wamby turned around and threw himself hopelessly upon the couch. “Take that pin out of the hole,” he said; “it may be of use to us some time.”
Harry snatched it out impatiently, and dropped it on the floor. “Pshaw!” he exclaimed.
“What’s the matter?” inquired the elf.
“I dropped the pin and can’t find it again,” said Harry. “Oh! here it is, sticking in a hole in the floor.”
“What! in a hole?” cried Wamby, springing up excitedly. “Don’t touch it! Let me see! If there’s a hole, there must be a trap-door; and if there is, it will give us a chance of escape.”
He kneeled down and rapped softly upon the floor, and listened intently.
“Yes, there’s a door here. Stand aside, and I’ll show you.”
He pressed upon the pin and repeated the usual words, and a trap-door opened in the floor, revealing a narrow passage, with stone steps descending.
“Where does it lead to?” asked Harry.
“I don’t know,” Wamby replied; “but we can soon find out.” He considered a moment, and then continued, “We’d better wait awhile, though. They’ll bring in our food before long, and if they find us gone they will start at once in pursuit and catch us. But if we wait until after the food is brought, it will give us time to get away a good distance before our flight is discovered.”