While he stood in the corridor wondering what to do next, a sudden
shouting reached his ears. It was the voice of the Boolooroo, saying
"My Key, my Key! Who has stolen my golden Key?" And then there
followed shouts of soldiers and guards and servants, and the rapid
pattering of feet was heard throughout the palace.
Button-Bright took to his heels and ran along the passages until he
came to Cap'n Bill's room, where the sailorman and Trot were
anxiously awaiting him.
"Quick!" cried the boy. "We must escape from here at once, or we
will be caught and patched."
"Where's the umbrel?" asked Cap'n Bill.
"I don't know. I can't find it. But all the palace is aroused, and
the Boolooroo is furious. Come, let's get away at once!"
"Where'll we go?" inquired Trot.
"We must make for the open country and hide in the Fog Bank or in
the Arch of Phinis," replied the boy.
They did not stop to argue any longer, but all three stepped out of
the little door into the street, where they first clasped hands so
they would not get separated in the dark, and then ran as swiftly as
they could down the street, which was deserted at this hour by the
citizens. They could not go very fast because the sailorman's wooden
leg was awkward to run with and held them back, but Cap'n Bill
hobbled quicker than he had ever hobbled before in all his life, and
they really made pretty good progress.
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