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‘Meggie!’ a child’s voice called back Of course, Paula or Pippo Yes, itfor ants with her again, even though it was raining A grey paw eie went out into the tiny hall ‘I don’t have tih the closed door

‘Please, Meggie!’ begged Pippo’s voice

Sighing, Meggie opened the door – and found herself looking straight into Basta’s face

‘Well, well, who do we have here?’ he asked in a ers around Pippo’s thin little neck ‘What do you say to that, Flatnose? She doesn’t have tih the door with Pippo, followed, of course, by Flatnose, whose broad shoulders would hardly fit through the doorway

‘Let go of hih her voice shook ‘You’re hurting him’

‘Am I indeed?’ Basta looked down at Pippo’s pale face ‘Not very nice of ?’ With these last words he squeezed Pippo’s neck evenwe lay in that filthy hovel?’ he snarled at Meggie

She took a step backwards

‘A very long ti his foxy face so close to Meggie’s she could see herself reflected in his eyes ‘Isn’t that right, Flatnose?’

‘Those daiant ‘Wouldn’t I just love to twist this little witch’s nose until it’s pointing the wrong way round!’

‘Later, ie into the dark bedroom ‘Where’s your father?’ he asked ‘This little lad,’ he said, letting go of Pippo’s throat and prodding hiie, ‘told us he’s gone out Gone out where?’

‘Shopping’ Meggie could hardly breathe, she was so frightened ‘How did you find us?’ she whispered, but instantly knew the answer Dustfinger Of course Who else? But why had he betrayed theer,’ replied Basta, as if he had read her thoughts ‘It’s just too easy to find that fellow There aren’t sofire and who have a tame marten, not to mention one with horns So we only had to ask around a bit, and once ere on Dustfinger’s trail ere also on your father’s, of course We arrived just in time to see you drive away from the hotel car park, and we’d certainly have paid you a visit before now if this fool,’ he said, digging his elbow so hard into Flatnose’s stoht of you on our way here We searched al questions, ran ourselves off our feet, until we finally got here, and one of those old felloho spend all day staring out to sea reer’s scarred face Where is he? Is he – er – out shopping too?’ asked Basta, with a scornful twist of his ie shook her head ‘He went away,’ she replied tonelessly ‘Ages ago’ So Dustfinger hadn’t given theh Basta’s fingers Meggie could almost have smiled

‘You burned Elinor’s books!’ she said, holding Pippo close He was still speechless with terror ‘You’ll be sorry you did that’

‘Oh, e?’ Basta smiled unpleasantly ‘I wonder why? As far as I know Cockerell had a lot of fun with those books But that’s enough talk We don’t have for ever That boy,’ he said, pointing at Pippo, who retreated as if Basta’s forefinger were a knife, ‘has told us sorandfather rites books, and a book in which your father took a particular interest’