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Then he rang off

Fenoglio could not conceal his curiosity He scented a new story in the offing ‘What was all that about?’ he asked i at the telephone Rico was clinging to Fenoglio’s back like a little monkey It was Saturday, but the other two children hadn’t turned up yet ‘What’s theto us anythere like a stuffed duie’s mother’s aunt I told you about her Capricorn’s men broke into her house They swept the books off the shelves all over the house and trampled on them, and the books in Elinor’s library …’ He hesitated for aon ‘Her arden and burned them All she found in her library was a dead rooster’

Fenoglio let his grandson slide off his back ‘Rico, go and look for the kittens,’ he said ‘This is not for your ears’ Rico protested, but his grandfather pushed him out of the room and closed the door after him ‘Whatback to Mo

‘Who else would do such a thing? Anyway, as far as I reotten your own story, have you?’

Fenoglio was looking downcast ‘No, no, I remegie’s heart beat anxiously as she waited for Mo’s answer

‘Luckily, she wasn’t back yet when it happened She took her tiine how she feels Her finest books –up soers ‘Yes, Capricorn likes fire,’ he said huskily ‘If it was really his doing, your friend can think herself fortunate he didn’t burn her too’

‘I’ll tell her’ Mo picked up a -desk, opened it and slowly closed it again

‘What about ie hardly dared to ask ‘My book-box – I hid it under the bed’

Mo put the ood news,’ he said ‘No one touched your book-box It’s still under the bed Elinor looked’

Meggie took a deep breath Was it Basta who had set fire to the books? No, Basta was afraid of fire; she reer had mocked him for it But in the last resort it made no difference which of the Black Jackets it had been Elinor’s treasures were gone, and not even Mo could bring the back down here I’m to pick her up at the airport,’ said Mo ‘She’s taken it into her head to set the police on Capricorn I told her I didn’t think she’d have much luck Even if she had evidence that it was his ave the order? But you know Elinor’

Meggie nodded gloomily Oh yes, she knew Elinor – and she understood her rage only too well