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Blood was trickling froht of it Dustfinger bound up the wound with a red silk scarf that soaked up the blood ‘It’s not as bad as it looks,’ he assured Meggie, as she ca else in your rucksack that we can use to tie hi at the still unconscious Flatnose

‘Our friend with the knife here will need solared at her viciously ‘Don’t stare at un into his chest ‘I’e as a knife, and believe you ives me some very unpleasant ideas’

Basta twisted his mouth scornfully, but he never took his eyes off Elinor’s forefinger, which was still on the trigger

There was a length of cord in Dustfinger’s rucksack, strong if not particularly thick ‘It won’t be enough for both of theer said

‘Why do you want to tie them up?’ enquired Farid ‘Why not kill theie looked at hihed ‘Well, fancy that!’ he mocked ‘We could have used that boy after all! But who says ere going to kill you? Capricorn wants you alive Deadto cut off so the cord round Flatnose’s legs

Basta shrugged ‘Since when does a man die of that?’

Elinor jabbed the barrel of the gun into his ribs so hard that he stuht Maybe we really ought to shoot these thugs’

But of course they didn’t They found a rope in the rucksack that Flatnose had brought with hier obvious pleasure to tie Basta up Farid helped hi up prisoners

Then they put Basta and Flatnose in the ruined house ‘Nice of us, right? The snakes won’t find you quite so soon,’ said Dustfinger as they carried Basta through the narrow doorway ‘Of course it’ll get pretty hot in here around midday, but s go If they have any sense they won’t return to the village, but dogs don’t often havewill probably be out searching for you by this afternoon at the latest’

Flatnose did not co beside Basta under the ruined roof He rolled his eyes furiously and went purple in the face, but neither he nor Basta could utter a sound because Farid had gagged theer, before they left the twoI’ve alanted to do’ And to Meggie’s horror he drew Basta’s knife from his belt and went over to the prisoners

‘What’s the idea?’ asked Mo, barring his way Obviously the saer only laughed

‘Don’t worry, I’ to cut a pattern in his face the way he decorated mine,’ he said ‘I only want to scare hih the leather thong that Basta wore round his neck It had a little bag tied with a red drawstring hanging fro back and forth in front of his face ‘I’ up ‘Now there’s nothing to protect you frohosts and des you’re afraid of’

Basta tried to kick out with his bound legs, but Dustfinger avoided hioodbye for ever, I hope, Basta!’ he said ‘And if our paths should ever cross again, then I’ll have this’ He tied the leather thong around his own neck ‘I expect there’s a lock of your hair in it, right? No? Well, then perhaps I’ll take one Doesn’t burning soh!’ said Mo, urging hiet out of here Who knohen Capricorn will realise these two are ? By the way, did I tell you that he didn’t burn quite all the books? There’s one copy of Inkheart left’

Dustfinger stopped as suddenly as if a snake had bitten hiht to tell you,’ said Mo ‘Even if it does put stupid ideas in your head’

Dustfinger just nodded Then without a word he walked on