As he scrambled to his feet Johnny felt his arms caught and a rope whirled around and around his arms and legs, so that he could not move.
A bright flame shot up from the fireplace and the children saw the Strange Man sitting there with a book across his knees. He had just thrown a powder in the fireplace and it burnt brightly.
The Strange Man was the only one in the room except the children and he mumbled to himself as he read from the great book. Johnny looked at Janey and saw that she was tied in much the same manner as himself.
“It’s the man who owns the Lemonade Spring,” cried Janey.
“Say!” Johnny shouted. “You untie us and let us go, or we’ll have you arrested when we get out!”
“You won’t get out!” the Strange Man told him. “I’ll see to that!”
“Help!” Johnny shouted at the top of his voice, Janey joining him.
“Dear me!” the Strange Man exclaimed fretfully. “How can you expect me to change you into animals when you make so much noise? You distract my mind from my reading, and I am trying to find just how to work the magic!”
“Is that a magic book?” Janey asked.
“Of course!” the Strange Man replied. “And I have to memorize the magic song that I must sing when I puff the magic powder over you and change you into animals, and I can not think when you make so much noise!”