C H A P T E R F O U R
THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS
B
OOM. They knocked again. Dudley jerked awake.“ Where’ s the cannon?” he said stupidly.
There was a crash behind them and Uncle Vernon came skidding into the room. He was holding a rifle in his hands— now they knew what had been in the long, thin package he had brought with them.“ Who’ s there?” he shouted.“ I warn you— I’ m armed!” There was a pause. Then— SMASH! The door was hit with such force that it swung clean off its hinges and with a deafening crash landed flat on the floor.
A giant of a man was standing in the doorway. His face was almost completely hidden by a long, shaggy mane of hair and a wild, tangled beard, but you could make out his eyes, glinting like black beetles under all the hair.
� 46 �