“You can’t,” he replied. “Don’t ask me why, please, for if you don’t know I can’t inform you.”
“Why not?” said Ann; but Shaggy paid no attention to the question.
This end of the Tube had a silver rim and around it was a gold railing to which was attached a sign that read:
“IF YOU ARE OUT, STAY THERE.
IF YOU ARE IN, DON’T COME OUT.”
On a little silver plate just inside the Tube was engraved the words:
“Burrowed and built by
Hiergargo the Magician,
In the Year of the World
19625478
For his own exclusive uses.”
“He was some builder, I must say,” remarked Betsy, when she had read the inscription; “but if he had known about that star I guess he’d have spent his time playing solitaire.”
“Well, what are we waiting for?” inquired Shaggy, who was impatient to start.
“Quox,” replied Tubekins. “But I think I hear him coming.”
“Is the young dragon invisible?” asked Ann, who had never seen a live dragon and was a little fearful of meeting one.