erring but much…loved minister。 But they were shut out； listening at a door
to words not meant for them： ill…mannered children or stupid servants
overhearing the elusive discourse of their elders； and wondering how it
would affect their lot。 Of loftier mould these two were made： reverend and
wise。 It was inevitable that they should make alliance。 Gandalf would ascend
into the tower； to discuss deep things beyond their prehension in the
high chambers of Orthanc。 The door would be closed； and they would be left
outside； dismissed to await allotted work or punishment。 Even in the mind of
Thjoden the thought took shape； like a shadow of doubt： 'He will betray us；
he will go we shall be lost。'
Then Gandalf laughed。 The fantasy vanished like a puff of smoke。
'Saruman； Saruman！' said Gandalf still laughing。 'Saruman； you missed
your path in life。 You should have been the king's jester and earned your
bread； and stripes too； by mimicking his counsellors。 Ah me！' he paused；
getting the better of his mirth。 'Understand one another？ I fear I am beyond
your prehension。 But you； Saruman； I understand now too well。 I keep a
clearer memory of your arguments； and deeds； than you suppose。 When last I
visited you； you were the jailor of Mordor； and there I was to be sent。 Nay；
the guest who has escaped from the roof； will think twice before he es
back in by the door。 Nay； I do not think I will e up。 But listen；
Saruman； for the last time！ Will you not e down？ Isengard has proved less
strong than your hope and fancy made it。 So may other things in which you
still have trust。 Would it not be well to leave it for a while？ To turn to
new things； perhaps？ Think well； Saruman！ Will you not e down？'
A shadow passed over Saruman's face； then it went deathly white。 Before
he could conceal it； they saw through the mask the anguish of a mind in
doubt； loathing to stay and dreading to leave its refuge。 For a second he
hesitated； and no one breathed。 Then he spoke； and his voice was shrill and
cold。 Pride and hate were conquering him。
'Will I e down？' he mocked。 'Does an unarmed man e down to speak
with robbers out of doors？ I can hear you w ell enough here。 I am no fool；
and I do not trust you； Gandalf。 They do not stand openly on my stairs； but
I know where the wild wood…demons are lurking； at your mand。'
'The treacherous are ever distrustful；' answered Gandalf wearily。 'But
you need not fear for your skin。 I do not wish to kill you； or hurt you； as
you would know； if you really understood me。 And I have the power to protect
you。 I am giving you a last chance。 You can leave Orthanc； free if you
choose。'
'That sounds well；' sneered Saruman。 'Very much in the manner of
Gandalf the Grey： so condescending； and so very kind。 I do not doubt that
you would find Orthanc modious； and my departure convenient。 But why
should I wish to leave？ And what do you mean by 'free'？ There are
conditions； I presume？'
'Reasons for leaving you can see from your windows。' answered Gandalf。
'Others will occur to your thought。 Your servants are destroyed and
scattered； your neighbours you have made your enemies； and you have cheated
your new master。 or tried to do so。 When his eye turns hither； it will be
the red eye of wrath。 But when I say 'free'； I mean 'free'： free from bond；
of chain or mand： to go where you will； even； even to Mordor； Saruman； if
you desire。 But you will first surrender to me the Key of Orthanc； and your
staff。 They shall be pledges of your conduct； to be returned later； if you
merit them。'
Saruman's face grew livid； twisted with rage； and a red light was
kindled in his eyes。 He laughed wildly。 'Later！' he cried； and his voice
rose to a scream。 'Later！ Yes； when you also have the Keys of Barad…dyr
itself； I suppose； and the crowns of seven kings。 and the rods of the Five
Wizards； and have purchased yourself a pair of boots many sizes larger than
those that you wear now。 A modest plan。 Hardly one in which my help is
needed！ I have other things to do。 Do not be a fool。 If you wish to treat
with me； while you have a chance； go away； and e back when you are sober！
And leave behind these cut…throats and small rag…tag that dangle at your
tail！ Good day！' He turned and left the balcony。
'e back； Saruman！' said Gandalf in a manding voice。 To the
amazement of the others； Saruman turned again。 and as if dragged against his
will； he came slowly back to the iron rail； leaning on it； breathing hard。
His face was lined and shrunken。 His hand clutched his heavy black staff
like a claw。
'I did not give you leave to go；' said Gandalf sternly。 'I have not
finished。 You have bee a fool； Saruman； and yet pitiable。 You might still
have turned away from folly and evil； and have been of service。 But you
choose to stay and gnaw the ends of your old plots。 Stay then！ But I warn
you。 you will not easily e out again。 Not unless the dark hands of the
East stretch out to take you。 Saruman！' he cried； and his voice grew in
power and authority。 'Behold； I am not Gandalf the Grey； whom you betrayed。
I am Gandalf the White； who has returned from death。 You have no colour now；
and I cast you from the order and from the Council。'
He raised his hand； and spoke slowly in a clear cold voice。 'Saruman；
your staff is broken。' There was a crack； and the staff split asunder in
Saruman's hand； and the head of it fell down at Gandalf's feet。 'Go！' said
Gandalf。 With a cry Saruman fell back and crawled away。 At that moment a
heavy shining thing came hurtling down from above。 It glanced off the iron
rail； even as Saruman left it； and passing close to Gandalf's head； it smote
the stair on which he stood。 The rail rang and snapped。 The stair cracked
and splintered in glittering sparks。 But the ball was unharmed： it rolled on
down the steps； a globe of crystal； dark； but glowing with a heart of fire。
As it bounded away towards a pool Pippin ran after it and picked it up。
'The murderous rogue！' cried Jomer。 But Gandalf was unmoved。 No； that
was not thrown b Saruman； he said； nor even at his bidding； I think。 It came
from a window far above。 A parting shot from Master Wormtongue； I fancy； but
ill aimed。'
'The aim was poor； maybe； because he could not make up his mind which
he hated more； you or Saruman；' said Aragorn。
'That may be so；' said Gandalf。 'Small fort will those two have in
their panionship： they will gnaw one another with words。 But the
punishment is just。 If Wormtongue ever es out of Orthanc alive； it will
be more than he deserves。
'Here； my lad； I'll take that！ I did not ask you to handle it；' he
cried； turning sharply and seeing Pippin ing up the steps； slowly； as if
he were bearing a great weight。 He went down to meet him and hastily took
the dark globe from the hobbit； wrapping it in the folds of his cloak。