“And few return to the sunlit lands，” they answered， as if it ere the countersign. Then all three put their heads together nd talked. At last one of the two gnomes.in.waiting said， “I ll you the Queen’s grace is gone from hence on her great ffair. We had best keep these topdwellers in strait prison ll her homecoming. Few return to the sunlit lands.”
At that moment the conversation was interrupted by hat seemed to Jill the most delightful noise in the world. came from above， from the top of the staircase； and it as a clear， ringing， perfectly human voice， the voice of a oung man.
“What coil are you keeping down there， Mullugutherum？” it shouted. “Overworlders， ha！ Bring them up to me， and that presently.”
“Please it your Highness to remember，” began Mullugutherum， but the voice cut him short.
“It pleases my Highness principally to be obeyed， old mutterer. Bring them up，” it called.
Mullugutherum shook his head， motioned to the travellers to follow and began going up the staircase. At every step the light increased. There were rich tapestries hanging on the walls. The lamplight shone golden through thin curtains at the staircase.head.