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.The footsteps, as you have already guessed, belonged to Nifflepok.Peeringin at them through an invisible window, the King's messenger had been justin time to see Handy shaking the silver balls from the golden horn.Withoutwaiting to see what use they would make of this curious magic, Nifflepokrushed back to inform his master."They are wizards!" he panted, burstingunceremoniously into the Silver King's den."The magic is in the ox's horn.With my own eyes I saw the seven-armed maiden shaking silver balls from hishorn.""What do $$I&& care about silver balls?" snarled Wutz, who was in a terriblePage 72ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmltemper."If I had them here, I'd bounce you over the head with them." Theden was full of sulphurous smoke, but the earthenware jug still stoodunchanged on the table before him."The magic in the Emerald City is stillbetter than mine," hissed the Silver Monarch, his voice quivering withanger and disappointment."I've tried every single formula in my book ofincantations, every straight and crooked pass in the magician's manual,every powder and potion on my shelves, and this ugly jug is still a jug andnothing but a jug! What are we going to do?" he yelled furiously."Think ofsomething, you noddle-headed pig! I must have the help of this little GnomeKing, but how'm I going to get him out of the jug?""Perhaps, with a little more time," faltered Nifflepok, twisting his highhat nervously in his hands."Time! TIME!" exploded the wizard."When did time ever break anenchantment?" Snatching up a pair of silver pliers, he flung themwrathfully at his assistant.Nifflepok, fortunately for his head, caughtthe dangerous missile in his hat and, darting behind a tall cabinet, lookedpleadingly out at his unreasonable Master."Wait! Wait!" he begged earnestly as Wutz, with a menacing frown, took uphis silver bubble pipe."I HAVE thought of something.Make these Munchkinsbreak the Gnome King's enchantment.They have passed all the hazards of ourmountain unharmed.Undoubtedly the girl is a sorceress and the Ox apowerful magician in disguise.Let them do this trifling service for yourMajesty in return for the useless captive we are holding for Number Nine.""HmC4mmmm!" Deliberately, the Silver Monarch put down his pipe."That's nota bad idea, Niffle, not a bad idea at all." Picking up the jug, Wutzbrushed rudely by his trembling little Minister and hurried out of hisworkshop.A few minutes later, he stood bowing and smiling before the twotravelers in the prisoner's pit.But warned by the message in the silverball, his entrance through the invisible door neither frightened norimpressed Handy Mandy or the Royal Ox.Page 73ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"So here you are at last," exclaimed the Goat Girl, looking the SilverMonarch sternly in the eye."And about time, too.How dare you imprison usin this miserable pit for no reason at all?""Oh, yes, there is a reason," stated Wutz, a little surprised at Handy'sdefiance."You broke into my mountain without invitation or permission, andas you are nothing but a pair of trespassers, you certainly deserveimprisonment and even destruction.""Nonsense," snorted the Royal Ox, lurching forward heavily."We came hereseeking a lost boy whom you are unlawfully holding captive.As soon as yourelease the little King of Keretaria, we will take him and leave thismountain!""And the sooner you tell us where he is, the better!" added Handy, snappingher thirty-five fingers under the Silver King's nose."Ah, you think so?" sneered Wutz."Well, nothing is ever given for nothingin this mountain, but I may give you a chance to earn the boy's release.Here in my hand is a jug, an ordinary enough looking jug.With the magicyou have in your possession, you must transform this jug to its propershape.If you succeed, you and the Ox and the Boy King of Keretaria mayleave my mountain unharmed.If you fail, ha ha!" The heartless wizard threwback his head and laughed uproariously."If you fail, the walls of this pitwill contract until you are C4 well, shall we say obliterated? To keepyour part of the bargain and perform this slight service, I will give you$$one half hour.&& Here is the jug, and in case you fail, GOODBYE!""Good Gillikins!" whistled Nox as the wizard strode through the invisibledoor and left them alone."What does that fool think we are, wizards,magicians, necromancers?" Groaning and snorting, he began to gallop roundand round the hot little pit."Look out! Look out! You'll break the jug," warned Handy, snatching it up inher arms."And for goat's sake stop that galloping! I'm dizzy enough as itis [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]