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‘Mo doesn’t think so!’

Dustfinger straightened up and stared at the library door ‘Yes, I know,’ heboth hands on Meggie’s shoulders and propelling her towards the closed door, ‘so now you’re going to go in there, the picture of innocence, and find out what the pair of theie was about to protest, but before she knew it Dustfinger had opened the door and pushed her into the library

5

Only a Picture

For him that stealeth, or borroweth and returneth not, this book froe into a serpent in his hand and rend him

Let him be struck with palsy, and all hisaloud forin dissolution Let bookworoeth to his last punishment, let the flames of hell consume him for ever

Curse on book thieves,

from the monastery of San Pedro,

Barcelona, Spain

They had unwrapped the book Meggie saw the brown paper lying on a chair Neither of the over one of the reading desks with Mo beside her They both had their backs to the door

‘Ale copy left,’ Elinor was saying ‘There are strange stories about this book going around A second-hand dealer from whom I buy quite often told o All on the same day too And I’ve heard much the same story froe,’ said Mo, but Meggie knew his voice well enough to know that he was only pretending to be surprised ‘Well, anyway, even if this wasn’t a rare book it means a lot to me, and I’d like to be sure it’s in safe hands for a while Just till I come back for it’

‘All books are in safe hands withcross ‘You know that They’re my children, my inky children, and I look after thees, I dust theers This one shall have a place of honour, and no one will see it until you want it back I don’t really welcoerprints and stray hairs in my poor books Anyway, as you know, I have a very expensive burglar alar!’ Mo’s voice sounded relieved ‘Thank you, Elinor! I really a at your door in the near future asking about the book, please will you ht?’