The impossible gulf yawned under his feet. Then there was a crash and a thud as they landed safely on the copper roof.“Phew!” gasped Esmeralda. “Who knew hedgehogs could fly?”Following Jack, they tottered along the sloping roof until they came to a small dormer window. Jack quickly had the window open, and in a few moments they were all standing together on the bare and dusty wooden floorboards of a deserted attic room.“We’re in!” panted Esmeralda.“That we are,” said Jack. “Neat as you like!”“Now what?” asked Trundle.“Now we go get the crown and the key back!” said Esmeralda, heading for the door.The long wood-paneled corridor was quite empty. Sunlight slanted in through mullioned windows, picking out old oil paintings of elderly, severe-looking badgers in dark robes. There were many doors. All of them were closed.“All clear,” whispered Trundle, creeping down the last couple of steps of the attic stairway. Esmeralda and Jack emerged with him into the long, silent corridor.“So far, so good,”
