C H A P T E R F O U R
THE KEEPER OF THE KEYS
B
OOM . They knocked again . Dudley jerked awake . “ Where ’ s the cannon ?” he said stupidly .
There was a crash behind them and Uncle Vernon came skidding into the room . He was holding a rifle in his hands — now they knew what had been in the long , thin package he had brought with them . “ Who ’ s there ?” he shouted . “ I warn you — I ’ m armed !” There was a pause . Then — SMASH ! The door was hit with such force that it swung clean off its hinges and with a deafening crash landed flat on the floor .
A giant of a man was standing in the doorway . His face was almost completely hidden by a long , shaggy mane of hair and a wild , tangled beard , but you could make out his eyes , glinting like black beetles under all the hair .
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