Chapter 9, Which Deals Chiefly With the Events at Diggory's Dyke Summary

Septimus finds a small hut made of sticks at the side of the road in Diggory's Dyke and watches carefully for several days. The only inhabitant is a very old woman who passes her time stopping anyone that travels along the road and making conversation. Septimus is convinced that this old woman is the person that murdered his brother Primus and plans his revenge. He must use his wits, as he has no magic, other than a small bit of talent that runs in the family to know where things and places are.

At night, Septimus creeps up to the hut and sets it on fire, then waits outside its door for the old woman in case she escapes the blaze. The fire roars out...