It was well they took that precaution, for hardly was the trap-door closed when the other door opened, and four elves appeared, bearing a table laden with eatables. After the meal was despatched, Harry put in his pockets the food that remained, as it might be some time before they could obtain any more. Then, waiting until the four elves had returned and removed the empty table, they opened the trap-door and descended a few steps, when the door above them silently closed, and they were in total darkness.
CHAPTER III.
PURSUED.
“What shall we do now?” asked Harry in dismay, catching Wamby by the arm. “We can never go on in this darkness.”
“Wait a minute, and I’ll show you,” replied the elf.
He seemed to search about his person for something, and presently held out his hand, in which was a box containing a little round object that shone like an electric light, and lighted up the passageway brilliantly.
“What is it?” inquired Harry in wonder.
“A kind of gem that the gnomes make. We use them to light up all our rooms, and when one is put in a box like this it is like a dark lantern, only better, being so small and bright. But, come on! we are wasting precious time.”
The stone stairs seemed interminable, but at last they reached the bottom, and hurried along a corridor that still slanted slightly downward. After a long walk they came to the brow of a steep incline.
“What’s this?” asked Harry, “another hill of glass?”
“Yes,” Wamby replied, sitting down. “Sit down behind me and we’ll slide.”