Thou art i' the mine, too, as I do
verily guess; therefore I arrest thee i' the king's name, as a lifter of
his treasure, and a spoiler of our good venison."
Gregory, being stout-limbed, and of a more than ordinary strength for
his size, proceeded forthwith to execute his threat; but the dwarf, with
a short shrill scream, gave him a sudden trip, which again laid the
officious dispenser of justice prostrate, without either loosing the
torch from his hand, or seeming to use more exertion than would have
thrown a child.
"Ah, ah, there be quits. Lie still; go to; lick thy paws. Know, dog, I'm
body to the queen!"
"Body o' me, I think thee be'st liker fist and crupper. I would I had
thee in a cart at holiday-time, and a rope to thy muzzle," said the
astonished Gregory. He had dropped his billet in the scuffle, which the
dwarf seized, opening it without ceremony.
"A message. Good; stay here, garbage; I be back one, two, t'ree," and
away straddled the black monster along the passage. Turning suddenly,
before he was aware, into another avenue, leading apparently far into
the interior, Gregory was left once more in total darkness.
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