“Oh!” said Wamby. “Yes, I do. You see, he knows well enough that the King would never release all these elves from the mines, and ever since we came back he has been casting suspicious glances at us, as if he were trying to find out what we were about. He’s a treacherous fellow. I’m afraid of him.”
“Then,” said Harry, “don’t tell him anything. Wait until we get arms for all these fellows, and we can defy those fifty soldiers.”
“But the trouble is,” observed Wamby, “that Smithkin is the only one who knows the way back, and where the armory is.”
Harry pondered a moment. “It seems to me the best plan is this,” said he. “You order Smithkin to lead us to the King. You, Kitey, and I will go ahead with Smithkin, the released elves will come next, and the soldiers bring up the rear. Then Smithkin can’t communicate with his men, and we can watch him closely, and easily disarm and bind him at the least sign of treachery.”
The plan impressed Wamby favorably. He gave orders to that effect, and they were soon hastening on the way to the Grand Royal Reception Hall. They traversed a number of passages, and climbed many long flights of steps. All went well for a time. Although Smithkin was glum and sullen, he certainly was leading them in the right direction, and they saw no reason to suspect him.
At length they came to a place where the passageway expanded into a long and rather narrow room. When they reached the further end of the room, Smithkin examined the wall closely, and then a disconcerted look came into his face.
“I can’t find any door here,” said he. “One of my men knows where it is, though; I’ll go back and ask him.”
Harry followed him through the throng to the other end of the room. All of the released elves were in the room, but the soldiers had halted in the passageway. Calling one of them to him, Smithkin asked, “Where is the lower door?”
“There is the place,” replied the soldier, pointing to the wall on one side of the passageway behind where Harry was standing.
Smithkin drew forth a pin, and said to Harry, “Will your honor please step aside a moment?”