Ходячий замок
Chapter 14
“TheWitchknowsaboutallourentrancesexceptthePorthavenone.”
ThissoalarmedMichaelthathefetchedsomeplanksfromtheyardandwedgedthemcrosswiseoverthedoor.ThenhegottoworkatlastonthespelltheyhadgotbackfromMissAngorian.
Halfanhourlaterthedoorknobturnedsharplytoblack-down.Thedoorbegantobounceabout.MichaelclutchedatSophie.“Don’tbeafraid,”hesaidshakily.“I’llkeepyousafe.”
Thedoorbouncedpowerfullyforawhile.Thenitstopped.MichaelhadjustletgoofSophieingreatreliefwhentherecameaviolentexplosion.CalciferplungedtothebottomofthegrateandMichaelplungedintothebroomcupboard,leavingSophiestandingthereasthedoorburstopenandHowlstormedin.
“Thisisabitmuch,Sophie!”hesaid.“Idolivehere.”Hewassoakingwet.Thegray-and-scarletsuitwasblack-and-brown.Hissleevesandtheendsofhishairweredripping.
Sophielookedatthedoorknob,stillturnedtoblack-down.MissAngorian,shethought.Andhewenttoseeherinthatcharmedsuit.“Wherehaveyoubeen?”shesaid.
Howlsneezed.“Standingintherain.Noneofyourbusiness,”hesaidhoarsely.“Whatwerethoseplanksinaidof?”
“Ididthem,”Michaelsaid,edgingoutofthebroomcupboard.“TheWitch—”
“YoumustthinkIdon’tknowmybusiness,”Howlsaidirritably.“Ihavesomanymisdirectionspellsoutthatmostpeoplewouldn’tfindusatall.IgiveeventheWitchthreedays.Calcifer,Ineedahotdrink.
