Then followed a prolonged, hoarse shout from the triumphant Gnomes.
Harry groaned once more, and shook his fist in impotent rage at the invisible enemy, whereat some of the Gnomes standing near laughed derisively.
Presently he heard the King of the Gnomes’ gruff voice demand, “Have Cattisack and Grumpy been revived? Then bring them here, and seat them beside me.”
All was still again for a few minutes, and then Kitey’s shrill voice piped forth, “Look out, Prince, they’re trying to put a rope around your feet!”
Harry reached down and felt cords about his ankles, and immediately began to kick about vigorously and to flourish his arms in the air. But he forgot how small the top of the wardrobe was, and stepping over the edge, he fell heavily to the stone floor and became unconscious.
When he came to himself, his hands and feet were bound, and he was lying upon the floor in front of the throne. Though he saw no one, he could hear the King of the Gnomes talking in a low tone with ex-King Cattisack. Finally the King of the Gnomes said in a louder tone, “Gather all of the Pin Elves together, and take them down to the mines.”
The confused sounds which ensued, and the loud patter of many feet on the stone floor, indicated that the order was being carried out.
When quiet was restored, the King of the Gnomes growled forth, “And now what shall be done with that knave?”
Though Harry could not see, he felt that the big right eye was upon himself. Cattisack seemed to make some suggestion, but he spoke too low for Harry to distinguish what he said.
“Just the thing!” exclaimed the King of the Gnomes. “Open this trap-door behind me, and dump the fellow into the Passage of the Toad.”