vanished. From them arose swiftly a pillar of that same brilliant flame. It coiled and wrapped itself around
the doll-maker, from feet to head.
I saw the shape of beauty melt away. In its place was the horse-like face, the immense body of Madame
Mandilip…eyes seared and blind…the long white hands clutching at her torn throat, and no longer white
but crimson with her blood.
Thus for an instant she stood, then toppled to the floor.
And at that instant of her fall, the spell that held us broke.
Ricori leaned toward the huddled hulk that had been the doll-maker. He spat upon it. He shouted,
exultantly:
"Burn witch burn!"