So I
refused to humor Harry's evident desire to thrash out the topic,
and abruptly changed the subject.
We must have lain bound in that cavern little short of a week.
Our wounds and bruises were completely healed, save one gash on
Harry's side where he had been hurled against the sharp edge of
one of the stone seats as he had been borne to the floor. But it
was not painful, and was nearly closed. And we could feel the
return of strength even through the stiffness caused by the
inactivity of our muscles.
We had given up wondering at the delay by the time it came to an
end. When they finally came and cut our bonds and led us from the
cavern we felt nothing keener than a mere curiosity as to what
awaited us at the end of our journey. For myself, there was a
distinct sensation of thankfulness that uncertainty was to end.
They took no chances with us, but paid us the compliment of a
truly royal escort--at least, in number. There could not have
been less than two hundred of them in front, behind, and on
either side, as we left the cavern and proceeded along a narrow,
winding passage to the left.
Once, as we started, we stretched our arms high and stood on
tiptoe to relieve the stiffness of our joints; and immediately
found ourselves clutched on every side by a score of hands.
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