Page:The land of enchantment (1907, Cassell).djvu/37



Just when they were at their wits’ end they thought they could see afar the faint glimmer of a light. Nearer it came and nearer, and then, to their amazement, an old and yellow dwarf stood before them. He was dressed in knee breeches, a dress coat, and scarlet waistcoat. He wore a pigtail, and his head was covered with a fool’s cap of vivid green, surmounted by a firefly lantern. He looked at them narrowly, and then danced with glee, chanting in a shrill voice the while—

“Yes,” said the maker of ghosts sadly, “we are indeed lost. Good sir, will you kindly direct us to the bottom of the shaft?” The dwarf still danced, but to a different tune.

The maker of ghosts and the maker of shadows offered him their