In the light from the rising moon, a miniature statue shimmered on a pedestal: a statue of a dragon, carved from an enormous emerald. He nearly tripped over his own feet in his haste to reach it. He stretched out his hands. His mouth went dry. A dazzling light flooded the room as a door swung open. Toad froze. His stomach dropped through the floor. His arms were still raised, inches from the statue, but his eyes were transfixed upon the giant figure standing in the doorway.

For the first time in some years, I didn't care what Father said to me, even though I knew that by the end of the day my conscience would probably win out and I would end up apologizing to him as well.

O sweet, sweet JoannaHow torn my heart!O sweet, sweet JoannaOur kiss shall never part!O sweet, sweet JoannaHow thine eyes do mine miss!O sweet, sweet JoannaLushest green now turned to mist!O sweet, sweet JoannaHow wicked the under-lord king!O sweet, sweet JoannaWho stole our cherished ring!

He was a dastardly fellow,” the beer mug continued happily. “Truly repugnant. And smelled! Oh, lad, the stench could knock over an ox!

Ah, Mr. Ogg! How I like you!” Mr. Owl cheered. “Always ready to break a neck. Good fellow!

I appreciate thieves who do their research, but at least you recognize worth when you see it.

Wonderful. I'm stranded with the least creative Ramblers.

They were being poisoned.

You’ve been one busy worm!

Toad must have been very accustomed to traveling this way, balanced on the back rails of a rushing buggy, but Melena was not. She gripped the sides and white-knuckled the rails with her knapsack sandwiched between her knees. Hazel was clamped onto the roof, grinning like an alligator in the sun. And Toad lounged like a cat.