with their own hands more than they could help; but in those days and
those wild parts they had not advanced (as it is called) so far. They
did not hate dwarves especially, no more than they hated everybody and
everything, and particularly the orderly and prosperous; in some parts
wicked dwarves had even made alliances with them. But they had a
special grudge against Thorin’s people, because of the war which you
have heard mentioned, but which does not come into this tale; and
anyway goblins don’t care who they catch, as long as it is done smart
and secret, and the prisoners are not able to defend themselves.
     
     “Dwarves, and this!” said one of the drivers, pulling at Bilbo’s chain
so that he fell forward onto his knees.
     “We found them sheltering in our Front Porch.”
     “What do you mean by it?” said the Great Goblin turning to Thorin. “Up
to no good, I’ll warrant! Spying
     Thieves, I shouldn’t be surprised to learn! Murderers and friends of
Elves, not unlikely! Come! What have you got to say?”
     “Thorin the dwarf at your service!” he replied-it was merely a polite
nothing. “Of the things which you
     We sheltered from a storm in what seemed a convenient cave and unused;