While Richard and Gwen were gazing 'with puzzled eyes at the many archways which led from the great hall, they received yet another surprise, for suddenly, out of one of the arches, appeared a little aged gnome. Instead of-being rude to them, he was very, very polite. “Welcome,” he cried. “This is a pleasure. I’ve been waiting for you. Now follow me, and I will be your guide. But you must leave your pistols behind.” Richard and Gwen felt a little uncertain of their new acquaintance, but there appeared nothing to do but to act as he 'wished and to follow him. The old gnome turned out to be a very agile fellow. He hurried Richard and Gwen through corridor after corridor. He was talkative, too, and chatted all the time. “You were surprised to see me, I suppose,” he said. “But I’ve been waiting for you. Now come along and I’ll see that you reach the right place.” Richard and Gwen hurried after him, rather doubtfully. “I hope he isn’t thicking us,” whispered Richard.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 23 May 1936, Page 11

While Richard and Gwen were gazing 'with puzzled eyes at the many archways which led from the great hall, they received yet another surprise, for suddenly, out of one of the arches, appeared a little aged gnome. Instead of-being rude to them, he was very, very polite. “Welcome,” he cried. “This is a pleasure. I’ve been waiting for you. Now follow me, and I will be your guide. But you must leave your pistols behind.” Richard and Gwen felt a little uncertain of their new acquaintance, but there appeared nothing to do but to act as he 'wished and to follow him.

The old gnome turned out to be a very agile fellow. He hurried Richard and Gwen through corridor after corridor. He was talkative, too, and chatted all the time. “You were surprised to see me, I suppose,” he said. “But I’ve been waiting for you. Now come along and I’ll see that you reach the right place.” Richard and Gwen hurried after him, rather doubtfully. “I hope he isn’t thicking us,” whispered Richard.