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ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO
XI
Fire-eater sneezes and pardons Pinocchio, who then saves the life of his friend Harlequin.
The showman Fire-eater—for that was his name—looked, I must say, a terrible man, especially with his black beard that covered his chest and legs like an apron. On the whole, however, he had not a bad heart. In proof of this, when he saw poor Pinocchio brought before him, struggling and screaming 'I will not die, I will not die!' he was quite moved and felt very sorry for him. He tried to hold out, but after a little he could stand it no longer and he sneezed violently. When he heard the sneeze, Har-
