“But that would be rebellion,” said Wamby, faintly. The project was so bold that it fairly took his breath away.
“No,” answered Harry, “it would be a revolution, and that is perfectly right in a case like this.”
“But the King has all the soldiers under his command,” said Wamby.
“Pshaw!” exclaimed Harry, “what do they amount to! There must be thousands of you Pin Elves, and you could easily conquer five hundred soldiers.”
“It’s all well enough to talk,” returned Wamby, “but you forget another very serious fact, and that is the effect of the royal hat-pin, and the awe and terror it always inspires. You yourself have seen how easily I controlled those soldiers with the hat-pin; but imagine how much greater would be the effect if it were in the King’s hands.”
“That’s so,” said Harry, “I never thought of that.”
After a long silence he crawled back to the stern of the boat, and sat down beside Wamby.
“Look here, Wamby,” he said, “I have an idea.” And then he began a long whispered conversation with the elf, as if afraid to let even the darkness around them hear what he had to say.
Finally Wamby said, “Well, I am doubtful about it; but you are my master, and if you command me to do it, I shall have to obey.”