“Fortunately, in the excitement of the conflict, the Gnomes had neglected to guard any of the doors, and I escaped without being seen, and placed the green twig in the hole. On my return, however, I discovered six Gnomes on guard outside the door, so I quietly retreated and made my way down here, where I have been ever since.”
“Aren’t we in danger of being discovered here?” inquired Harry.
“Oh, no, Prince,” replied Kitey; “no one would dare come here. This is the terrible Passage of the Toad.”
“Passage of the Toad!” repeated Harry. “What do you mean?”
“Why,” exclaimed Kitey, “this passage was constructed ages ago, as a secret means of escape, in case our dominions should be invaded. It leads from the Grand Reception Hall, and branches off into several small passageways, and we are in one of those smaller, branching passageways. But just as the whole thing was completed, a toad made its appearance in the main passage. Of course the entrances were at once closed, and no one ever after ventured to enter. It was only necessity that drove me hither.”
“But, Kitey, I don’t understand you. How could a toad get in the passage? and if he did get in, what difference did it make?”
“I can’t tell you how he got in,” replied Kitey, “but he certainly was there, and doubtless is there to this day. And you ask, what difference does it make? Why, don’t you know that elves cannot bear the contact, or even the near presence, of a toad? It prostrates us completely. So there was nothing for us to do but shut up the passage, which has been called by us ever since the Passage of the Toad. Evidently, the horrible creature is not near this branch passage where we are now, or I should hardly have been able to come down here.”
“Well, never mind the toad at present,” said Harry. “What do you suppose has become of Wamby and the rest of the Pin Elves?”
“I think they have been sent down to work in the mines, and the Gnomes have taken possession of our kingdom,” answered Kitey.
“In other words,” said Harry, “the Gnomes are on top, and the Pin Elves down below. The wicked elves have ousted the good elves and made slaves of them.”