Aha...thanks.

[He grabs the garments and spins them tightly into twists so they won't be able to flail or otherwise move much while he holds them.]

If it's any consolation... [He points at the pit.] I think half of that is a fake. [Like a painted-over wall or something.]

I've been thinking, the haunted house didn't look that long from the outside, did it?

[And...he glances over.] By the way, where'd your princesses go?