No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the copyright holder. For information regarding permission, please contact: Atlantyca S.p.A., Via Leopardi 8, 20123 Milan, Italy; e-mail foreignrights@atlantyca.it, www.atlantyca.com.
eISBN 978-0-545-39362-1
Copyright © 2009 by Edizioni Piemme S.p.A., Via Tiziano 32, 20145 Milan, Italy.
International Rights © Atlantyca S.p.A.
English translation © 2011 by Atlantyca S.p.A.
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Based on an original idea by Elisabetta Dami.
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Text by Geronimo Stilton
Original title Il tesoro delle colline nere
Cover by Giuseppe Ferrario
Illustrations by WASABI! Studio (pencils) and Christian Aliprandi (color)
Graphics by Yuko Egusa
Special thanks to Beth Dunfey
Translated by Julia Heim
Interior design by Kay Petronio
First printing, October 2011