must untie our legs first, or we'll do nothing, and say nothing.'
     'My dear tender little fools,' hissed Grishn?kh, 'everything you have,
and everything you know, will be got out of you in due time:
everything! You'll wish there was more that you could tell to satisfy
the Questioner, indeed you will: quite soon. We shan't hurry the
enquiry. Oh dear no! What do you think you've been kept alive for? My
dear little fellows, please believe me when I say that it was not out
of kindness: that's not even one of Ugl?k's faults.'
     'I find it quite easy to believe,' said Merry. 'But you haven't got
your prey home yet. And it doesn't seem to be going your way, whatever
happens. If we come to Isengard, it won't be the great Grishn?kh that
benefits: Saruman will take all that he can find. If you want anything
for yourself, now's the time to do a deal.'
     Grishn?kh began to lose his temper. The name of Saruman seemed
specially to enrage him. Time was passing and the disturbance was
dying down. Ugl?k or the Isengarders might return at any minute.
     'Have you got it – either of you?' he snarled.
     'Gollum, gollum!' said Pippin.
     'Untie our legs!' said Merry.
     They felt the Orc's arms trembling violently. 'Curse you, you filthy