Chapters 56-59 Summary

Chapter 56 - The Shadow

Mortola tells Meggie that if she does not read the passage correctly, Fenoglio will be summarily executed. Flatnose returns and leaves with more men to attempt to control the fire, which Capricorn tells those remaining to ignore, reiterating that Dustfinger, the fire-handler, is dead. Mo manages to signal to Meggie that he and Farid are observing the scene. Meggie announces that she is about to begin and must not be interrupted, hoping that Mo will overhear her warning.

Fenoglio signals Meggie and then begins to struggle with the henchmen holding him, hoping to create a distraction that will allow Meggie to perform the slight of hand necessary to slip the page she has hidden in her sleeves into the book. Mortola spots Meggie's attempt, but is restrained by Darius, who clamps a hand over her mouth. In...