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He asked, "Did they find him? Please, sir, this is extree Tansy ht to see 'eh, just walkin' to town this mornin' Met 'eo"

"Did they find Silk?" he repeated

Merl shook his head "Said not Said there wasn't nobody hohed "They didn't like me much, I'll tell you But I says well I told you everythin' I knew, so try in the city They says yep, that's where they's bound for"

Hound said, "It's where I' with Horn here and another ree I thank you-I can't possibly thank you and Tansy enough for all your kindness-but if these foreign men really do intend har everyone seeree upon is that he isn't here"

Hesitantly, Hound asked, "You'll be going your oay, you and Pig, as soon as we reach the city? To look for Calde Silk, and for a doctor for Pig and so on?"

"Yes, I suppose so"

"Then I" Hound glanced at his wife "We'd like to give you so to remember us by, wouldn't we, Tansy?"

She looked up, and her s to give theht with you"

"Yes Absolutely But they'll eat it, and then it will be gone Ithat Horn can keep"

He said, "That certainly isn't necessary, and since I'll be traveling on foot for the et into the city"

"I ht, of necessity Really, I'd nored it "This is e have What you see here Choose anything you like"

Interested, Oreb flew up to perch on the edge of a stew pot and peck at a grater

Hound said, "A little pan that you could cook in wouldn't weigh ht find it co kit to mend your clothes, Horn We have those, too, with needles and a pair of little scissors and everything, that you roll up in a cloth You could carry it in your pocket"

He pointed "If you're serious-and I repeat that you really needn't do this-that's what I'd like to have"

"A lantern?"

He nodded "Last night-really it was before last night, I suppose, during what Merl called the big dark-I wanted such a lantern very badly indeed; I would have given faris more than I prayed for, if you're still sure that you want to do this"

"Certainly we do Hound can reach it down for you"

Merl whispered, "They got better 'uns in back Those is the three-bit 'uns Theet you one" He went to the back of the shop and returned aa black lantern so "This one's enaht it, and once you've closed it, it will bloay before it blows out"

Merl leaned over the s it as if he expected to receive it "Thought you was out of candles"

"We are," Hound told him "There's a candle in every lantern we sell, naturally, but we have no-"

The little shop was plunged in utter, blind darkness "Look out," Oreb croaked warily "Watch out"

Chapter 5 HAUNTING DORP

Morning I went to bed exhausted, and feel that I a this account, which has fallen behind so badly, up to date; and I know that I can sleep no longer-unlikeyet