In many bewildering forms, intent upon unknown activities directed toward unguessable ends, the composite, animate mechanisms labored.

And all the place was filled with a goblin bustle, trollish racketings, ringing of gnomish anvils, clanging of kobold forges--a clamorous cavern filled with metal Nibelungens.
We came to the opening of another passage, a doorway piercing the walls of the workshop.

Its incline, though steep, was not dangerous.
Into it we stepped; climbed onward it seemed interminably.

Far ahead of us at last appeared the outline of its further entrance, silhouetted against and filled with a brighter luminosity.

We drew near; stopped cautiously at its threshold, peering out.
Well it was that we had hesitated.