rchair,towhichhewasboundbyhisankles,hisknees,hiselbows,hiswrists,andhiswaist.Therewassweatonhisforeheadandhisfacewasfilledwithanguish.

    "ein,friends,"hesaid,glangquicklyup."Thefitisuponme.Makenonoise,forItoldthatpryingchamberlainthatyouwereinbed.Now...Ifeeliting.Quick!ListenwhileIammasterofmyself.WheisupowellmaybethatIshallbegandimploreyou,witheiesandthreatenings,toloosenmybonds.

    TheysayIdo.Ishallcalluponyoubyallthatismostdearandmostdreadful.Butdonotlistentome.Hardenyourheartsandstopyourears.ForwhileIamboundyouaresafe.

    ButifonceIwereupandoutofthischair,thenfirstwouldyfury,andafterthat”

    -heshuddered-"thegeintoaloathsomeserpent.”

    "Theresnofearofourloosingyou,"saidPuddleglum."Wevenowishtomeetwildmen;orserpeher.”

    "Ishouldthinknot,"saidScrubbandJilltogether.

    "Allthesame,"addedPuddlegluminawhisper."Dosbetoosure.Letsbeuard.Wevemuffedeverythingelse,youknow.Hellbeing,Ishouldntwonder,osstarted.wetrustoher?Doromisethatwhateverhesayswedonttouchthosecords?Whateverhesays,mindyou?”

    "Rather!"saidScrubb.

    "Theresnothingintheworldhesayordothatllmakemegemymind,"saidJill.

    "Hush!Somethingshappening,"saidPuddleglum.

    TheKnightwasmoaning.Hisfacealeasputty,ahedinhisbonds.Aherbecauseshewassorryforhim,orforsomeotherreason,Jillthoughtthathelookedanicersortofmanthanhehadlookedbefore.

    "Ah,"hegroaned."Entments,entments...t