The Keeper of the Keys

           BOOM.Theyknockedagain.Dudleyjerkedawake. 

           "Where’sthecannon?"hesaidstupidly. 

           TherewasacrashbehindthemandUncleVernoncameskiddingintotheroom. Hewasholdingarifleinhishands -nowtheyknewwhathadbeeninthelong,thinpackagehehadbroughtwiththem. 

           "Who’sthere?"heshouted. "Iwarnyou—I’marmed!" 

           Therewasapause.Then— 

           SMASH! 

           Thedoorwashitwithsuchforce thatitswungcleanoffitshingesandwithadeafeningcrashlandedflatonthefloor. 

           Agiantofamanwasstandinginthedoorway. Hisfacewasalmostcompletelyhiddenbyalong,shaggymaneofhairandawild,tangledbeard, butyoucouldmakeouthiseyes, glintinglikeblackbeetlesunderallthehair. 

           Thegiantsqueezedhiswayintothehut, stoopingsothathisheadjustbrushedtheceiling. Hebentdown,pickedupthedoor,andfittediteasilybackintoitsframe. Thenoiseofthestormoutsidedroppedalittle. Heturnedtolookatthemall. 

           "Couldn’tmakeusacupo’tea,couldyeh? It’snotbeenaneasyjourney..." 

           HestrodeovertothesofawhereDudleysatfrozenwithfear. 

           "Budgeup,yehgreatlump," saidthestranger.