,,*APT] #AG


  ,,T ,,FRI"D MADE ! LA/ ( \R F9E "DS =A
MON?4 ,9 ! EV5+1 ! W1!R BROKE3 ! W9D
%IFT$ F S\? 6NOR?-EA/1 & BR"\ RA9 F/1 &
!N SLEET & SN[4 ,ON ! MORR[ "O CD H>DLY
IMAG9E T "! _H BE5 ?REE WEEKS ( SUMM]3 !
PRIMROSES & CROCUSES 7 HI45 "U W9TRY
DRIFTS2 ! L>KS 7 SIL5T1 ! "Y L1VES (!
E>LY TREES SMITT5 & BLACK5$4 ,& DRE>Y1 &
*ILL1 & 4MAL1 T MORR[ DID CREEP OV]6 ,MY
MA/] KEPT 8 ROOM2 ,I TOOK POSSES.N (!
L"OLY P>L\R1 3V]T+ X 96A NURS]Y3 & "! ,I
WAS1 SITT+ )! MOAN+ DOLL (A * LAID ON MY
KNEE2 ROCK+ X 6& FRO1 & WAT*+1 M1N:ILE1
! / DRIV+ FLAKES BUILD UP ! UNCURTA9$
W9D[1 :5 ! DOOR OP5$1 & "S P]SON 5T]$1 \
( BR1? & LAU<+6 ,MY ANG] 0 GRT] ?AN MY
A/ONI%;T =A M9UTE4 ,I SUPPOS$ X "O (!
MAIDS1 & ,I CRI$- 8,H D"O6 ,H[ D>E Y %[
YR GI4I;S "H8 ,:AT WD ,MR4 ,L9TON SAY IF
HE HE>D Y80
  8,EXCUSE ME60 ANSW]$ A FAMILI> VOICE2
8B ,I "K ,$G> IS 9 B$1 & ,I _C /OP MYF40
  ,) T ! SP1K] CAME =W>D 6! FIRE1 PANT+
& HOLD+ H] H& 6H] SIDE4
  8,I H RUN ! :OLE WAY F ,WU!R+
,HEI<TS60 %E 3T9U$1 AF A PAUSE2 8EXCEPT
": ,I'VE FL[N4 ,I CDN'T C.T ! NUMB] (
FALLS ,I'VE _H4 ,OH1 ,I'M A*+ ALL OV]6
,DON'T 2 AL>M$6 ,"! % 2 AN EXPLAN,N Z
SOON Z ,I C GIVE X2 ONLY J H ! GD;S 6/EP
\ & ORD] ! C>RIAGE 6TAKE ME ON
6,GIMM]TON1 & TELL A S]VANT 6SEEK UP A
FEW CLO!S 9 MY W>DROBE40
  ,! 9TRUD] 0 ,MRS4 ,H1?CLIFF4 ,%E
C]TA9LY SEEM$ 9 NO LAU<+ PREDICA;T2 H]
HAIR /R1M$ ON H] %\LD]S1 DRIPP+ ) SN[ &
WAT]2 %E 0 DRESS$ 9 ! GIRLI% DRESS %E
-MONLY WORE1 2FITT+ H] AGE M ?AN H]
POSI;N3 A L[ FROCK ) %ORT SLEEVES1 &
NO?+ ON EI H1D OR NECK4 ,! FROCK 0 (
LI<T SILK1 & CLUNG 6H] ) WET1 & H] FEET
7 PROTECT$ M]ELY 0?9 SLIPP]S2 ADD 6? A
DEEP CUT "U "O E>1 : ONLY ! COLD PREV5T$
F BLE$+ PROFUSELY1 A :ITE FACE SCRAT*$ &
BRUIS$1 &A FRAME H>DLY A# 6SUPPORT XF1
"? FATIGUE2 & Y MAY FANCY MY F/ F"R 0 N
M* ALLAY$ :5 ,I _H _H LEISURE 6EXAM9E
H]4
  8,MY DE> "Y LADY10 ,I EXCLAIM$1 8,I'LL
/IR NO":1 & HE> NO?+1 TILL Y H REMOV$ E
>TICLE ( YR CLO!S1 & PUT ON DRY ?+S2 &
C]TA9LY Y % N G 6,GIMM]TON TN1 S X IS
NE$.S 6ORD] ! C>RIAGE40
  8,C]TA9LY1 ,I %10 %E SD2 8WALK+ OR
RID+3 YET ,I'VE NO OBJEC;N 6DRESS MYF
DEC5TLY4 ,&- AH1 SEE H[ X FL[S D[N MY
NECK N[6 ,! FIRE DOES MAKE X SM>T40
  ,%E 9SI/$ ON MY FULFILL+ H] DIREC;NS1
2F %E WD LET ME T\* H]2 & N TILL AF !
COA*MAN _H BE5 9/RUCT$ 6GET R1DY1 &A
MAID SET 6PACK UP "S NEC ATTIRE1 DID ,I
OBTA9 H] 3S5T = B9D+ ! W.D & HELP+
6*ANGE H] G>;TS4
  8,N[1 ,ELL510 %E SD1 :5 MY TASK 0
F9I%$ & %E 0 S1T$ 9 AN EASY *AIR ON !
HE>?1 )A CUP ( TEA 2F H]1 8Y SIT D[N
OPPOSITE ME1 & PUT POOR ,CA!R9E'S BABY
AWAY3 ,I DON'T L 6SEE X6 ,Y M/N'T ?9K ,I
C>E LL = ,CA!R9E1 2C ,I 2HAV$ S FOOLI%LY
ON 5T]+3 ,I'VE CRI$1 TOO1 BITT]LY- YES1
M ?AN ANY "O ELSE HAS R1SON 6CRY4 ,WE
"P$ UNRECONCIL$1 Y REMEMB]1 & ,I %AN'T
=GIVE MYF4 ,B1 = ALL T1 ,I 0 N GO+
6SYMPA?ISE ) HM- ! BRUTE B1/6 ,OH1 GIVE
ME ! POK]6 ,? IS ! LA/ ?+ ( 8 ,I H AB
ME03 %E SLIPP$ ! GOLD R+ F H] ?IRD F+]1
& ?REW X ON ! FLOOR4 8,I'LL SMA% X60 %E
3T9U$1 /RIK+ X ) *ILDI% SPITE1 8& !N
,I'LL BURN X60 & %E TOOK & DROPP$ !
MISUS$ >TICLE AM;G ! COALS4 8,"!6 HE %
BUY ANO!R1 IF HE GETS ME BACK AG4 ,HE'D
2 CAPA# ( -+ 6SEEK ME1 6T1SE ,$G>4 ,I
D>E N /AY1 LE/ T NO;N %D POSSESS 8 WICK$
H1D6 ,& 2SS1 ,$G> HAS N BE5 K9D1 HAS HE8
,& ,I WON'T -E SU+ = 8 ASSI/.E2 NOR W ,I
BR+ HM 96M TR\#4 ,NECESS;Y -PELL$ ME
6SEEK %ELT] "H2 ?\<1 IF ,I _H N LE>N$ HE
0 \ (! WAY1 ,I'D H HALT$ AT ! KIT*51
WA%$ MY FACE1 W>M$ MYF1 GOT Y 6BR+ :AT
,I WANT$1 & DE"P$ AG 6ANY": \ (! R1* (
MY A3URS$- ( T 9C>NATE GOBL96 ,AH6 HE 0
9 S* A FURY6 ,IF HE _H CAU<T ME6 ,X'S A
P;Y ,E>N%AW IS N 8 MAT* 9 /R5G?3 ,I
WDN'T H RUN TILL ,I'D SE5 HM ALL B
DEMOLI%$1 _H ,H9DLEY BE5 A# 6D X60
  8,WELL DON'T TALK S FA/ MISS60 ,I
9T]RUPT$2 8Y'LL 4ORD] ! H&K]*IEF ,I H
TI$ R.D YR FACE1 & MAKE ! CUT BLE$ AG4
,DR9K YR TEA1 & TAKE BR1?1 & GIVE OV]
LAU<+3 LAU<T] IS SADLY \ ( PLACE "U ?
RO(1 & 9 YR 3DI;N60
  8,AN UND5IA# TRU?10 %E REPLI$4 8,LI/5
6T *6 ,X MA9TA9S A 3/ANT WAIL- S5D X \ (
MY HE>+ = AN H\R2 ,I %AN'T /AY ANY
L;G]40
  ,I RANG ! BELL1 & -MITT$ X 6A S]VANT'S
C>E2 & !N ,I 5QUIR$ :AT _H URG$ H]
6ESCAPE F ,WU!R+ ,HEI<TS 9 S* AN
UNLIKELY PLI<T1 & ": %E M1NT 6G1 Z %E
REFUS$ REMA9+ ) U4
  8,I "\1 & ,I WI% 6REMA910 ANSW]$ %E1
86*E] ,$G> & TAKE C>E (! BABY1 = TWO
?+S1 & 2C ! ,GRANGE IS MY "R HOME4 ,B ,I
TELL Y HE WDN'T LET ME6 ,D Y ?9K HE CD
BE> 6SEE ME GR[ FAT & M]RY- CD BE> 6?9K
T WE 7 TRANQUIL1 & N RESOLVE ON POISON+
\R -=T8 ,N[1 ,I H ! SATISFAC;N ( 2+ SURE
T HE DETE/S ME1 6! PO9T ( XS ANNOY+ HM
S]I\SLY 6H ME )9 E>%OT OR EYE-SI<T3 ,I
NOTICE1 :5 ,I 5T] 8 PRES;E1 ! MUSCLES (
8 C.T5.E >E 9VOLUNT>ILY 4TORT$ 96AN
EXPRES.N ( HATR$2 "PLY >IS+ F 8 K (! GD
CAUSES ,I H 6FEEL T S5TI;T = HM1 & "PLY
F ORIG9AL AV].N4 ,X IS /R;G 5 6MAKE ME
FEEL PRETTY C]TA9 T HE WD N *ASE ME OV]
,5GL&1 SUPPOS+ ,I 3TRIV$ A CLE> ESCAPE2
& "!=E ,I
M/ GET Q AWAY4 ,I'VE RECOV]$ F MY F/
DESIRE 6BE KILL$ 0HM3 ,I'D R HE'D KILL
HMF6 ,HE HAS EXT+UI%$ MY LOVE E6ECTU,Y1
& S ,I'M AT MY EASE4 ,I C RECOLLECT YET
H[ ,I LOV$ HM2 & C DIMLY IMAG9E T ,I CD
/ 2 LOV+ HM1 IF-NO1 NO6 ,EV5 IF HE _H
DOT$ ON ME1 ! DEVILI% NATURE WD H REV1L$
XS EXI/;E "SH[4 ,CA!R9E _H AN AW;LLY
P]V]T$ TA/E 6E/EEM HM S DE>LY1 "K+ HM S
WELL1 ,MON/]6 WD T HE CD 2 BLOTT$ \ (
CRE,N1 & \ ( MY MEMORY60
  8,HU%1 HU%6 ,HE'S A HUMAN 2+10 ,I SD4
8,BE M *>ITA#3 "! >E WORSE M5 ?AN HE IS
YET60
  8,HE'S N A HUMAN 2+10 %E RETORT$2 8&
HE HAS NO CLAIM ON MY *>;Y4 ,I GAVE HM
MY HE>T1 & HE TOOK & P9*$ X 6D1?1 &
FLUNG X BACK 6ME4 ,P FEEL ) _! HE>TS1
,ELL53 & S9CE HE HAS DE/ROY$ M9E1 ,I H N
P[] 6FEEL = HM3 & ,I WD N1 ?\< HE GROAN$
F ? 6HIS DY+ "D1 & WEPT TE>S ( BLOOD =
,CA!R9E4 ,NO1 9DE$1 9DE$1 ,I WDN'T40 ,&
"H ,ISABELLA 2GAN 6CRY2 B1 IMMLY DA%+ !
WAT] F H] LA%ES1 %E RECOMM;ED4 8,Y ASK$1
:AT HAS DRIV5 ME 6FLI<T AT LA/8 ,I 0
-PELL$ 6ATTEMPT X1 2C ,I _H SU3E$$ 9
R\S+ 8 RAGE A PIT* ABV 8 MALIGN;Y4
,PULL+ \ ! N]VES ) R$-HOT P9C]S REQUIRES
M COOL;S ?AN KNOCK+ ON ! H1D4 ,HE 0 "W$
UP 6=GET ! FI5DI% PRUD;E HE BOA/$ (1 &
PROCE$$ 6MURD]\S VIOL;E4 ,I EXP]I;ED
PL1SURE 9 2+ A# 6EXASP]ATE HM2 ! S5SE (
PL1SURE WOKE MY 9/9CT ( SELF-PRES]V,N1 S
,I FAIRLY BROKE FREE2 & IF "E ,I -E
96HIS H&S AG HE IS WELCOME 6A SIGNAL
REV5GE4
  8,YE/]"D1 Y "K1 ,MR4 ,E>N%AW %D H BE5
AT ! FUN]AL4 ,HE KEPT HMF SOB] =!
PURPOSE- TOL]ABLY SOB]2 N GO+ 6B$ MAD AT
SIX O'C & GETT+ UP DRUNK AT TWELVE4
,3SEQU5TLY HE ROSE1 9 SUICIDAL L[ _SS1 Z
FIT =! *UR* Z =A D.E2 & 9/1D1 HE SAT D[N
0! FIRE & SWALL[$ G9 OR BR&Y 0TUM#R;LS4
  8,H1?CLIFF- ,I %U4] 6"N HM6 HAS BE5 A
/RANG] 9 ! H\SE F LA/ ,SUN"D TILL TD4
,:E!R ! ANGELS H F$ HM1 OR 8 K9 2N1 ,I
_C TELL2 B HE HAS N EAT5 A M1L ) U =
NE>LY A WEEK4 ,HE HAS J -E HOME AT DAWN1
& G"O UP/AIRS 6HIS *AMB]2 LOCK+ HMF IN-
Z IF ANYBODY DR1MT ( COVET+ 8 -PANY6 ,"!
HE HAS 3T9U$1 PRAY+ L A ,ME?ODI/3 ONLY !
DE;Y HE IMPLOR$ IS S5SE.S DU/ & A%ES2 &
,GOD1 :5 A4RESS$1 0 CURI\SLY 3F.D$ ) 8
[N BLACK "F6 ,AF 3CLUD+ ! PRECI\S
ORISONS- & !Y LA/$ G5],Y TILL HE GREW
HO>SE & 8 VOICE 0 /RANGL$ 9 8 ?ROAT- HE
WD 2 (F AG2 ALW /RAI<T D[N 6! ,GRANGE6
,I WOND] ,$G> DID N S5D =A 3/A#1 & GIVE
HM 96CU/ODY6 ,= ME1 GRIEV$ Z ,I 0 AB
,CA!R9E1 X 0 IMPOSSI# 6AVOID REG>D+ ?
S1SON ( DELIV].E F DEGRAD+ OPPRES.N Z A
HOLI"D4
  8,I RECOV]$ _SS SU6ICI5T 6HE>
,JOSEPH'S ET]NAL LECTURES )\T WEEP+1 &
6MOVE UP & D[N ! H\SE LESS )! FOOT (A
F"R5$ ?IEF ?AN =M]LY4 ,Y WDN'T ?9K T ,I
%D CRY AT ANY?+ ,JOSEPH CD SAY2 B HE &
,H>ETON >E DETE/A# -PANIONS4 ,I'D R SIT
) ,H9DLEY1 & HE> 8 AW;L TALK1 ?AN ) T'
LL MAI/] & 8 /AUN* SUPPORT]1 T ODI\S OLD
MAN6 ,:5 ,H1?CLIFF IS 9 ,I'M (T5 OBLIG$
6SEEK ! KIT*5 ) _! SOCIETY OR />VE AM;G
! DAMP UN9HABIT$ *AMB]S2 :5 HE IS N1 Z 0
! CASE ? WEEK1 ,I E/ABLI% A TA# & *AIR
AT "O CORN] (! H\SE FIRE1 & N"E M9D H[
,MR4 ,E>N%AW MAY O3UPY HMF2 & HE DOES N
9T]F]E ) MY >RANGE;TS4 ,HE IS QUIET] N[
?AN HE US$ 6BE1 IF NO "O PROVOKES HM3 M
SULL5 & DEPRESS$1 & LESS FURI\S4 ,JOSEPH
A6IRMS HE'S SURE HE'S AN ALT]$ MAN3 T !
,"L HAS T\*$ 8 HE>T1 & HE IS SAV$ ,8S Z
0FIRE40' ,I'M PUZZL$ 6DETECT SIGNS (!
FAVORA# *ANGE3 B X IS N MY BUSI;S4
  8,YE/]-EV5+ ,I SAT 9 MY NOOK R1D+ "S
OLD BOOKS TILL LATE ON T[>DS TWELVE4 ,X
SEEM$ S 4MAL 6G UP/AIRS1 )! WILD SN[
BL[+ \TSIDE1 & MY ?"\S 3T9U,Y REV]T+ 6!
KIRKY>D &! NEW-MADE GRAVE6 ,I D>$ H>DLY
LIFT MY EYES F ! PAGE 2F ME1 T MELAN*OLY
SC5E S 9/ANTLY USURP$ XS PLACE4 ,H9DLEY
SAT OPPOSITE1 8 H1D L1NT ON 8 H&2 P]H
M$ITAT+ ON ! SAME SUBJECT4 ,HE _H C1S$
DR9K+ AT A PO9T 2L IRR,NAL;Y1 & _H NEI
/IRR$ NOR SPOK5 DUR+ TWO OR ?REE H\RS4
,"! 0 NO S.D "? ! H\SE B ! MOAN+ W9D1 :
%OOK ! W9D[S E N[ & !N1 ! FA9T CRACKL+
(! COALS1 &! CLICK ( MY SNU6]S Z ,I
REMOV$ AT 9T]VALS ! L;G WICK (! C&LE4
,H>ETON & ,JOSEPH 7 PROBABLY FA/ ASLEEP
9 B$4 ,X 0 V1 V SAD3 & :ILE ,I R1D ,I
SI<$1 = X SEEM$ Z IF ALL JOY _H VANI%$ F
! _W1 N"E 6BE RE/OR$4
  8,! DOLE;L SIL;E 0 BROK5 AT L5G? 0!
S.D (! KIT*5 LAT*3 ,H1?CLIFF _H RETURN$
F 8 WAT* E>LI] ?AN USUAL2 [+1 ,I
SUPPOSE1 6! SU45 /ORM4 ,T 5TR.E 0 FA/5$1
& WE HE>D HM -+ R.D 6GET 9 0! O!R4 ,I
ROSE ) AN IRREPRESSI# EXPRES.N ( :AT ,I
FELT ON MY LIPS1 : 9DUC$ MY -PANION1 :O
_H BE5 />+ T[>DS ! DOOR1 6TURN & LOOK AT
ME4
  8,8,I'LL KEEP HM \ FIVE M9UTES10' HE
EXCLAIM$4 ,8,Y WON'T OBJECT80'
  8,8,NO1 Y MAY KEEP HM \ ! :OLE NI<T =
ME10' ,I ANSW]$4 ,8,D6 PUT ! KEY 9 !
LOCK1 & DRAW ! BOLTS40'
  8,E>N%AW A3OMPLI%$ ? ]E 8 GUE/ R1*$ !
FRONT2 HE !N CAME & BR"\ 8 *AIR 6! O!R
SIDE ( MY TA#1 L1N+ OV] X1 & SE>*+ 9 MY
EYES =A SYMPA?Y )! BURN+ HATE T GL1M$ F
HIS3 Z HE BO? LOOK$ & FELT L AN ASSASS91
HE CDN'T EXACTLY F9D T2 B HE 4COV]$ 5
65C\RAGE HM 6SP1K4
  8,8,Y & ,I10' HE SD1 ,8H EA* A GRT
DEBT 6SETTLE )! MAN \ YOND]6 ,IF WE 7
NEI ( U C[>DS1 WE MI<T -B9E 64*>GE X4
,>E Y Z S(T Z YR BRO!R8 ,>E Y WILL+
65DURE 6! LA/1 & N ONCE ATTEMPT A
REPAY;T80'
  8,8,I'M WE>Y ( 5DUR+ N[10' ,I REPLI$2
'& ,I'D 2 GLAD (A RETALI,N T WDN'T
RECOIL ON MYF2 B TR1*]Y & VIOL;E
>E SPE>S PO9T$ AT BO? 5DS3 !Y W.D ^? :O
RESORT 6!M WORSE ?AN _! 5EMIES4'
  8,8,TR1*]Y & VIOL;E >E A J RETURN =
TR1*]Y & VIOL;E60' CRI$ ,H9DLEY4 ,8,MRS4
,H1?CLIFF1 ,I'LL ASK Y 6D NO?+2 B SIT /
& 2 DUMB4 ,TELL ME N[1 C Y8 ,I'M SURE Y
WD H Z M* PL1SURE Z ,I 9 WIT;S+ ! 3CLU.N
(! FI5D'S EXI/;E3 HE'LL 2 YR D1? UN.S Y
OV]R1* HM2 & HE'LL 2 MY RU94 ,DAMN !
HELLI% VILLA96 ,HE KNOCKS AT ! DOOR Z IF
HE 7 MA/] "H ALR6 ,PROMISE 6HOLD YR
T;GUE1 & 2F T CLOCK /RIKES- X WANTS ?REE
M9UTES ( "O- Y'RE A FREE WOMAN60'
  8,HE TOOK ! IMPLE;TS : ,I DESCRIB$ 6Y
9 MY LR F 8 BR1/1 & WD H TURN$ D[N !
C&LE4 ,I SNAT*$ X AWAY1 H["E1 & SEIZ$ 8
>M4 ,8,I'LL N HOLD MY T;GUE60' ,I SD2
,8Y M/N'T T\* HM4 ,LET ! DOOR REMA9 %UT1
& 2 QUIET60'
  8,8,NO6 ,I'VE =M$ MY RESOLU;N1 & 0,GOD
,I'LL EXECUTE X60' CRI$ ! DESP]ATE 2+4
,8,I'LL D Y A K9D;S 9 SPITE ( YRF1 &
,H>ETON JU/ICE6 ,& Y NE$N'T TR\# YR H1D
6SCRE5 ME2 ,CA!R9E IS G"O4 ,NOBODY ALIVE
WD REGRET ME OR 2 A%AM$1 ?\< ,I CUT MY
?ROAT ? M9UTE- & X'S "T 6MAKE AN 5D60'
  8,I MI<T Z WELL H /RU7L$ )A BE>1 OR
R1SON$ )A LUNATIC4 ,! ONLY RES\RCE LEFT
ME 0 6RUN 6A LATTICE & W>N 8 9T5D$
VICTIM (! FATE : AWAIT$ HM4
  8,8,Y'D BETT] SEEK %ELT] "S": ELSE
TN60' ,I EXCLAIM$ 9 R A TRIUMPHANT T"O4
8,MR4 ,E>N%AW HAS A M9D 6%OOT Y1 IF Y
P]SI/ 9 5D1V\R+ 65T]4'
  8,8,Y'D BETT] OP5 ! DOOR1 Y-0' HE
ANSW]$1 A4RESS+ ME 0"S ELEGANT T]M T ,I
DON'T C>E 6REP1T4
  8,8,I % N M$DLE 9 ! MATT]10' ,I
RETORT$ AG4 ,8,-E 9 & GET %OT1 IF Y
PL1SE6 ,I'VE D"O MY DUTY40'
  8,) T ,I %UT ! W9D[ & RETURN$ 6MY
PLACE 0! FIRE2 HAV+ TOO SMALL A /OCK (
HYPOCRISY AT MY -M& 6PRET5D ANY ANXIETY
=! DANG] T M5AC$ HM4 ,E>N%AW SWORE
PAS.NATELY AT ME3 A6IRM+ T ,I LOV$ !
VILLA9 YET2 & CALL+ ME ALL SORTS ( "NS
=! BASE _S ,I EV9C$4 ,& ,I1 9 MY SECRET
HE>T 7& 3SCI;E N"E REPROA*$ ME71 ?"\ :AT
A B.S+ X WD 2 = HM %D ,H1?CLIFF PUT HM \
( MIS]Y2 & :AT A B.S+ = ME %D HE S5D
,H1?CLIFF 6HIS "R ABODE6 ,Z ,I SAT NURS+
^! REFLEC;NS1 ! CASE;T 2H ME 0 BANG$ ON
6! FLOOR 0A BL[ F ! LATT] 9DIVIDUAL1 & 8
BLACK C.T5.E LOOK$ BLI<T+LY "?4 ,!
/AN*IONS /OOD TOO CLOSE 6SU6] 8 %\LD]S
6FOLL[1 & ,I SMIL$1 EXULT+ 9 MY FANCI$
SECUR;Y4 ,8 HAIR & CLO!S 7 :IT5$ ) SN[1
& 8 %>P CANNIBAL TEE?1 REV1L$ 0COLD &
WRA?1 GL1M$ "? ! D>K4
  8,8,ISABELLA1 LET ME IN1 OR ,I'LL MAKE
Y REP5T60' HE ,8GR9$10' Z ,JOSEPH CALLS
X4
  8,8,I _C -MIT MURD]10' ,I REPLI$4
,8,MR4 ,H9DLEY /&S S5T9EL )A KNIFE &
LOAD$ PI/OL40'
  8,8,LET ME 9 0! KIT*5 DOOR10' HE SD4
  8,8,H9DLEY W 2 "! 2F Y10' ,I ANSW]$3
,8& T'S A POOR LOVE ( YRS T _C BE> A %[]
( SN[6 ,WE 7 LEFT AT P1CE ON \R B$S Z
L;G Z ! SUMM] MOON %"O1 B ! MO;T A BLA/
( W9T] RETURNS1 Y M/ RUN = %ELT]6
,H1?CLIFF1 IF ,I 7 Y1 ,I'D G /RET* MYF
OV] H] GRAVE & DIE L A FAI?;L DOG4 ,! _W
IS SURELY N WOR? LIV+ 9 N[1 IS X8 ,Y _H
4T9CTLY IMPRESS$ ON ME ! IDEA T ,CA!R9E
0 ! :OLE JOY ( YR LIFE3 ,I C'T IMAG9E H[
Y ?9K ( SURVIV+ H] LOSS40'
  8,8,HE'S "!1 IS HE80' EXCLAIM$ MY
-PANION1 RU%+ 6! GAP4 ,8,IF ,I C GET MY
>M \ ,I C HIT HM60'
  8,I'M AFRAID1 ,ELL51 Y'LL SET ME D[N Z
RE,Y WICK$2 B Y DON'T "K ALL1 S DON'T
JUDGE4 ,I WDN'T H AID$ OR ABETT$ AN
ATTEMPT ON EV5 8 LIFE = ANY?+4 ,WI% T HE
7 D1D1 ,I M/2 & "!=E ,I 0 FE>;LLY
4APPO9T$1 & UNN]V$ 0T]ROR =! 3SEQU;ES (
MY TAUNT+ SPEE*1 :5 HE FLUNG HMF ON
,E>N%AW'S W1PON & WR5*$ X F 8 GRASP4
  8',! *>GE EXPLOD$1 &! KNIFE1 9 SPR++
BACK1 CLOS$ 96XS [N]'S WRI/4 ,H1?CLIFF
PULL$ X AWAY 0MA9 =CE1 SLITT+ UP ! FLE%
Z X PASS$ ON1 & ?RU/ X DRIPP+ 96HIS
POCKET4 ,HE !N TOOK A /"O1 /RUCK D[N !
DIVI.N 2T TWO W9D[S1 & SPRANG IN4 ,8
ADV]S>Y _H FALL5 S5SE.S ) EXCESSIVE PA9
&! FL[ ( BLOOD T GU%$ F AN >T]Y OR A
L>GE VE94 ,! RU6IAN KICK$ & TRAMPL$ ON
HM1 & DA%$ 8 H1D REP1T$LY AG/ ! FLAGS1
HOLD+ ME ) "O H&1 M1N"T1 6PREV5T ME
SUMMON+ ,JOSEPH4 ,HE EX]T$ PRET]HUMAN
SELF-D5IAL 9 AB/A9+ F F9I%+ HM -PLETELY2
B GETT+ \ ( BR1? HE F9,Y DESI/$1 & DRA7$
! APP>5TLY 9ANIMATE BODY ON 6! SETTLE4
,"! HE TORE (F ! SLEEVE ( ,E>N%AW'S
COAT1 & B.D UP ! W.D ) BRUTAL R\<;S2
SPITT+ & CURS+ DUR+ ! OP],N Z 5]GETIC,Y
Z HE _H KICK$ 2F4 ,2+ AT LIB]TY1 ,I LO/
NO "T 9 SEEK+ ! OLD S]VANT2 :O1 HAV+
GA!R$ 0DEGREES ! PURPORT ( MY HA/Y TALE1
HURRI$ 2L1 GASP+1 Z HE DESC5D$ ! /EPS
TWO AT ONCE4
  8,8,:AT IS !R 6D1 N[8 :AT X !R 6D1
N[80'
  8,8,"!'S ? 6D10' ?"U$ ,H1?CLIFF1 ,8T
YR MA/]'S MAD2 & %D HE LA/ ANO!R MON?1
,I'LL H HM 6AN ASYLUM4 ,& H[ ! DEVIL DID
Y -E 6FA/5 ME \1 Y TOO?.S H.D8 ,DON'T /&
MUTT]+ & MUMBL+ "!4 ,-E1 ,I'M N GO+
6NURSE HM4 ,WA% T /UFF AWAY2 & M9D !
SP>KS ( YR C&LE- X IS M ?AN HALF BR&Y60'
  ,8,& S1 YE'VE BE5 MUR!R+ ON HM80'
EXCLAIM$ ,JOSEPH1 LIFT+ 8 H&S & EYES 9
HORROR4 ,8,IF IV] ,I SE$ A SEE<T LOIKE
?6 ,MAY ! ,"L-0'
  8,H1?CLIFF GAVE HM A PU% ON 6HIS KNEES
9 ! MI4LE (! BLOOD1 & FLUNG A T[EL 6HM2
B 9/1D ( PROCE$+ 6DRY X UP1 HE JO9$ 8
H&S & 2GAN A PRAY]1 : EXCIT$ MY LAU<T] F
XS ODD PHRASEOLOGY4 ,I 0 9 ! 3DITON (
M9D 6BE %OCK$ AT NO?+3 9 FACT1 ,I 0 Z
RECK.S Z "S MALEFACTORS
%[ !MVS AT ! FOOT (! GALL[S4
  8,8,OH1 ,I =GOT Y10' SD ! TYRANT4 ,8,Y
% D T4 ,D[N ) Y4 ,& Y 3SPIRE ) HM AG/
ME4 D Y1 VIP]8 ,"!1 T IS "W FIT = Y60'
  8,HE %OOK ME TILL MY TEE? RATTL$1 &
PIT*$ ME 2S ,JOSEPH :O /1DILY 3CLUD$ 8
SUPPLIC,NS & !N ROSE1 V[+ HE WD SET (F
=! ,GRANGE DIRECTLY4 ,MR4 ,L9TON 0 A
MAGI/RATE1 & ?\< HE _H FIFTY WIVES D1D1
HE %D 5QUIRE 96?4 ,HE 0 S OB/9ATE 9 8
RESOLU;N1 T ,H1?CLIFF DEEM$ X EXP$I5T
6-PEL F MY LIPS A RECAPITUL,N ( :AT _H
TAK5 PLACE2 /&+ OV] ME1 H1V+ )
MALEVOL;E1 Z ,I RELUCTANTLY DELIV]$ !
A3.T 9 ANSW] 6HIS "QS4 ,X REQUIR$ A GRT
D1L ( LAB\R 6SATISFY ! OLD MAN T
,H1?CLIFF 0 N ! A7RESSOR2 ESPECI,Y ) MY
H>DLY-WRUNG REPLIES4 ,H["E1 ,MR4 ,E>N%AW
SOON 3V9C$ HM T HE 0 ALIVE /2 ,JOSEPH
HA/5$ 6ADM9I/] A DOSE ( _SS1 & 0_! SU3\R
8 MA/] PRES5TLY REGA9$ MO;N & 3SCI\S;S4
,H1?CLIFF1 AW>E T 8 OPPON5T 0 IGNORANT
(! TR1T;T RCVD :ILE 9S5SI#1 CALL$ HM
DELIRI\SLY 9TOXICAT$2 & SD HE %D N
NOTICE 8 ATROCI\S 3DUCT FUR!R1 B ADVIS$
HM 6GET 6B$4 ,6MY JOY1 HE LEFT U1 AF
GIV+ ? JUDICI\S C\NSEL1 & ,H9DLEY /RET*$
HMF ON ! HE>?/"O4 ,I DE"P$ 6MY [N ROOM1
M>VELL+ T ,I _H ESCAP$ S EASILY4
  8,? MORN+1 :5 ,I CAME D[N1 AB HALF-AN-
H\R 2F NOON1 ,MR4 ,E>N%AW 0 SITT+ 0!
FIRE1 D1DLY SICK2 8 EVIL G5IUS1 ALM Z
GAUNT & <A/LY1 L1NT AG/ ! *IMNEY4 ,NEI
APPE>$ 9CL9$ 6D9E1 &1 HAV+ WAIT$ TILL
ALL 0 COLD ON ! TA#1 ,I -M;ED AL"O4
,NO?+ H9D]$ ME F EAT+ HE>TILY1 & ,I
EXP]I;ED A C]TA9 S5SE ( SATISFAC;N &
SUP]IOR;Y1 Z1 AT 9T]VALS1 ,I CA/ A LOOK
T[>DS MY SIL5T -PANIONS1 & FELT ! -=T (A
QUIET 3SCI;E )9 ME4 ,AF ,I _H D"O1 ,I
V5TUR$ ON ! UNUSUAL LIB]TY ( DRAW+ NE> !
FIRE1 GO+ R.D ,E>N%AW'S S1T1 & KNEEL+ 9
! CORN] 2S HM4
  8,H1?CLIFF DID N GL.E MY WAY1 & ,I
GAZ$ UP1 & 3TEMPLAT$ 8 F1TURES ALM Z
3FID5TLY Z IF !Y _H BE5 TURN$ 6/"O4 ,8
=EH1D1 T ,I ONCE ?"\ S MANLY1 & T ,I N[
?9K S DIABOLICAL1 0 %AD$ )A H1VY CL\D2 8
BASILISK EYES 7 NE>LY QU5*$ 0SLEEP.S;S1
& WEEP+1 P]H1 =! LA%ES 7 WET !N2 8 LIPS
DEVOID ( _! F]OCI\S SNE]1 7 S1L$ 9 AN
EXPRES.N ( UNSP1KA# SAD;S4 ,_H X BE5
ANO!R1 ,I WD H COV]$ MY FACE 9 ! PRES;E
( S* GRIEF4 ,9 8 CASE1 ,I 0 GRATIFI$2 &1
IGNO# Z X SEEMS 69SULT A FALL5 5EMY1 ,I
CDN'T MISS ? *.E ( /ICK+ 9 A D>T3 8
W1K;S 0 ! ONLY "T :5 ,I CD TA/E ! DELI<T
( PAY+ WR;G = WR;G40
  8,FIE1 FIE1 MISS60 ,I 9T]RUPT$4 8,"O
MI<T SUPPOSE Y _H N"E OP5$ A ,BI# 9 YR
LIFE4 ,IF ,GOD A6LICT YR 5EMIES1 SURELY
T "\ 6SU6ICE Y4 ,X IS BO? M1N &
PRESUMPTU\S 6ADD YR TORTURE 6,HIS60
  8,IN G5]AL ,I'LL ALL[ T X WD BE1
,ELL510 %E 3T9U$2 8B :AT MIS]Y LAID ON
,H1?CLIFF CD 3T5T ME1 UN.S ,I H A H& 9
X8 ,I'D R HE SU6]$ LESS1 IF ,I MI<T
CAUSE 8 SU6]+S & HE MI<T "K T ,I 0 !
CAUSE4 ,OH1 ,I [E HM S M*4 ,ON ONLY "O
3DI;N C ,I HOPE 6=GIVE HM4 ,X IS1 IF ,I
MAY TAKE AN EYE = AN EYE1 A TOO? =A
TOO?2 = E WR5* ( AGONY RETURN A WR5*3
REDUCE HM 6MY LEVEL4 ,Z HE 0 ! F/
69JURE1 MAKE HM ! F/ 6IMPLORE P>DON2 &
!N- :Y !N1 ,ELL51 ,I MI<T %[ Y "S
G5]OS;Y4 ,B X IS UTT]LY IMPOSSI# ,I C "E
2 REV5G$1 & "!=E ,I _C =GIVE HM4 ,H9DLEY
WANT$ "S WAT]1 & ,I H&$ HM A GLASS1 &
ASK$ HM H[ HE WAS4
  8,8,N Z ILL Z ,I WI%10' HE REPLI$4
,8,B L1V+ \ MY >M1 E 9* ( ME IS Z SORE Z
IF ,I _H BE5 FI<T+ )A LEGION ( IMPS60'
  8,8,YES1 NO WOND]10' 0 MY NEXT REM>K4
,8,CA!R9E US$ 6BOA/ T %E /OOD 2T Y &
BODILY H>M3 %E M1NT T C]TA9 P]SONS WD N
HURT Y = FE> ( (F5D+ H]4 ,X'S WELL P
DON'T RE,Y RISE F _! GRAVE1 OR1 LA/
NI<T1 %E MI<T H WIT;S$ A REPULSIVE SC5E6
,>E N Y BRUIS$ & CUT OV] YR *E/ &
%\LD]S80'
  8,8,I C'T SAY10' HE ANSW]$3 ,8B :AT D
Y M1N8 ,DID HE D>E 6/RIKE ME :5 ,I 0
D[N80'
  8,8,HE TRAMPL$ ON & KICK$ Y1 & DA%$ Y
ON ! GR.D10' ,I :ISP]$4 ,8,& 8 M\? WAT]$
6TE> Y ) 8 TEE?2 2C HE'S ONLY HALF MAN3
N S M*1 &! RE/ FI5D40'
  8,MR4 ,E>N%AW LOOK$ UP1 L ME1 6!
C.T5.E ( \R MUTUAL FOE2 :O1 ABSORB$ 9 8
ANGUI%1 SEEM$ 9S5SI# 6ANY?+ >.D HM3 !
L;G] HE /OOD1 ! PLA9] 8 REFLEC;NS REV1L$
_! BLACK;S "? 8 F1TURES4
  8,8,OH1 IF ,GOD WD B GIVE ME /R5G?
6/RANGLE HM 9 MY LA/ AGONY1 ,I'D G 6HELL
) JOY10' GROAN$ ! IMPATI5T MAN1 WRI?+
6RISE1 & S9K+ BACK 9 DESPAIR1 3V9C$ ( 8
9ADEQUACY =! /RU7LE4
  8,8,NAY1 X'S 5 T HE HAS MURD]$ "O (
Y10' ,I OBS]V$ AL\D4 ,8,AT ! ,GRANGE1 E
"O "KS YR SI/] WD H BE5 LIV+ N[1 _H X N
BE5 = ,MR4 ,H1?CLIFF4 ,AF ALL1 X IS
PREF]A# 6BE HAT$ ?AN LOV$ 0HM4 ,:5 ,I
RECOLLECT H[ HAPPY WE W]E- H[ HAPPY
,CA!R9E 0 2F HE CAME- ,I'M FIT 6CURSE !
"D40'
  8,MO/ LIKELY1 ,H1?CLIFF NOTIC$ M !
TRU? ( :AT 0 SD1 ?AN ! _S (! P]SON :O SD
X4 ,8 ATT5;N 0 R\S$1 ,I SAW1 = 8 EYES
RA9$ D[N TE>S AM;G ! A%ES1 & HE DREW 8
BR1? 9 SU6OCAT+ SI<S4 ,I />$ FULL AT HM1
& LAU<$ SCORN;LLY4 ,! CL\D$ W9D[S ( HELL
FLA%$ A MO;T T[>DS ME2 ! FI5D : USU,Y
LOOK$ \1 H["E1 0 S DIMM$ & DR[N$ T ,I
DID N FE> 6HAZ>D ANO!R S.D ( DERI.N4
  8,8,GET UP1 & 2G"O \ ( MY SI<T10' SD !
M\RN]4
  8,I GUESS$ HE UTT]$ ^? ^WS1 AT L1/1
?\< 8 VOICE 0 H>DLY 9TELLIGI#4
  8,8,I BEG YR P>DON10' ,I REPLI$4 ',BUT
,I LOV$ ,CA!R9E TOO2
& H] BRO!R REQUIRES ATT5D.E1 :1 = H]
SAKE1 ,I % SUPPLY4 ,N[ T %E'S D1D1 ,I
SEE H] 9 ,H9DLEY3 ,H9DLEY HAS EXACTLY H]
EYES1 IF Y _H N TRI$ 6G\GE !M \1 & MADE
!M BLACK & R$2 & H]-'
  8,8,GET UP1 WRET*$ IDIOT1 2F ,I /AMP Y
6D1?60' HE CRI$1 MAK+ A MOVE;T T CAUS$
ME 6MAKE "O AL4
  8,8,B !N10' ,I 3T9U$1 HOLD+ MYF R1DY
6FLEE2 ,8IF POOR ,CA!R9E _H TRU/$ Y1 &
ASSUM$ ! RIDICUL\S1 3TEMPTI#1 DEGRAD+
TITLE ( ,MRS4 ,H1?CLIFF1 %E WD SOON H
PRES5T$ A SIMIL> PICTURE6 ,%E WDN'T H
BORNE YR ABOM9A# 2HAVI\R QUIETLY3 H]
DETE/,N & 4GU/ M/ H F.D VOICE40'
  8,! BACK (! SETTLE & ,E>N%AW'S P]SON
9T]POS$ 2T ME & HM3 S 9/1D ( 5D1V\R+
6R1* ME1 HE SNAT*$ A D9N] KNIFE F ! TA#
& FLUNG X AT MY H1D4 ,X /RUCK 2N MY E>1
& /OPP$ ! S5T;E ,I 0 UTT]+2 B1 PULL+ X
\1 ,I SPRANG 6! DOOR & DELIV]$ ANO!R2 :
,I HOPE W5T A LL DEEP] ?AN 8 MISSILE4 ,!
LA/ GLIMPSE ,I CAU<T ( HM 0 A FURI\S RU%
ON 8 "P1 *ECK$ 0! EMBRACE ( 8 HO/2 & BO?
FELL LOCK$ TGR ON ! HE>?4 ,9 MY FLI<T "?
! KIT*5 ,I BID ,JOSEPH SPE$ 6HIS MA/]2
,I KNOCK$ OV] ,H>ETON1 :O 0 HANG+ A
LITT] ( PUPPIES F A *AIR-BACK 9 !
DOORWAY2 &1 BLE/ Z A S\L ESCAP$ F
PURGATORY1 ,I B.D$1 L1P$1 & FLEW D[N !
/EEP ROAD2 !N1 QUITT+ XS W9D+S1 %OT
DIRECT ACR ! MOOR1 ROLL+ OV] BANKS1 &
WAD+ "? M>%ES3 PRECIPITAT+ MYF1 9 FACT1
T[>DS ! B1CON LI<T (! ,GRANGE4 ,& F> R
WD ,I 2 3DEMN$ 6A P]PETUAL DWELL+ 9 !
9F]NAL REGIONS1 ?AN1 EV5 = "O NI<T1
ABIDE 2N ! RO( ( ,WU!R+ ,HEI<TS AG40
  ,ISABELLA C1S$ SP1K+1 & TOOK A DR9K (
TEA2 !N %E ROSE1 & BI4+ ME PUT ON H]
BONNET1 &A GRT %AWL ,I _H BR"\1 & TURN+
A D1F E> 6MY 5TR1TIES = H] 6REMA9 ANO!R
H\R1 %E /EPP$ ON 6A *AIR1 KISS$ ,$G>'S &
,CA!R9E'S PORTRAITS1 2/[$ A SIMIL>
SALUTE ON ME1 & DESC5D$ 6! C>RIAGE1
A3OMPANI$ 0,FANNY1 :O YELP$ WILD ) JOY
AT RECOV]+ H] MI/RESS4 ,%E 0 DRIV5 AWAY1
N"E 6REVISIT ? NEI<B\RHOOD3 B A REGUL>
CORRESPOND;E 0 E/ABLI%$ 2T H] & MY MA/]
:5 ?+S 7 M SETTL$4 ,I 2LIEVE H] NEW
ABODE 0 9 ! S\?1 NE> ,LONDON2 "! %E _H A
SON BORN1 A FEW MON?S SUBSEQU5T 6H]
ESCAPE4 ,HE 0 *RI/5$ ,L9TON1 &1 F ! F/1
%E REPORT$ HM 6BE AN AIL+1 PEEVI%
CR1TURE4
  ,MR4 ,H1?CLIFF1 MEET+ ME "O "D 9 !
VILLAGE1 5QUIR$ ": %E LIV$4 ,I REFUS$
6TELL4 ,HE REM>K$ T X 0 N ( ANY MO;T1
ONLY %E M/ 2W>E ( -+ 6H] BRO!R3 %E %D N
2 ) HM1 IF HE _H 6KEEP H] HMF4 ,?\< ,I
WD GIVE NO 9=M,N1 HE 4COV]$1 "? "S (!
O!R S]VANTS1 BO? H] PLACE ( RESID;E &!
EXI/;E (! *4 ,/ HE DIDN'T MOLE/ H]3 = :
=BE>.E %E MI<T ?ANK 8 AV].N1 ,I SUPPOSE4
,HE (T5 ASK$ AB ! 9FANT1 :5 HE SAW ME2 &
ON HE>+ XS "N1 SMIL$ GRIMLY1 & OBS]V$3
  8,!Y WI% ME 6HATE X TOO1 D !Y80
  8,I DON'T ?9K !Y WI% Y 6"K ANY?+ AB
X10 ,I ANSW]$4
  8,B ,I'LL H X10 HE SD1 8:5 ,I WANT X4
,!Y MAY RECKON ON T60
  ,=TUNATELY1 XS "M DI$ 2F ! "T >RIV$2
"S ?IRTE5 YE>S AF ! DEC1SE ( ,CA!R9E1 :5
,L9TON 0 TWELVE1 OR A LL M4
  ,ON ! "D SU3E$+ ,ISABELLA'S UNEXPECT$
VISIT1 ,I _H NO OPPORTUN;Y ( SP1K+ 6MY
MA/]3 HE %UNN$ 3V]S,N1 & 0 FIT = 4CUSS+
NO?+4 ,:5 ,I CD GET HM 6LI/51 ,I SAW X
PL1S$ HM T 8 SI/] _H LEFT H] HUSB&2 :OM
HE ABHORR$ ) AN 9T5S;Y : ! MILD;S ( 8
NATURE WD SC>CELY SEEM 6ALL[4 ,S DEEP &
S5SITIVE 0 8 AV].N1 T HE REFRA9$ F GO+
ANY": ": HE 0 LIKELY 6SEE OR HE> (
,H1?CLIFF4 ,GRIEF1 & T TGR1 TRANS=M$ HM
96A -PLETE H]MIT3 HE ?REW UP 8 (FICE (
MAGI/RATE1 C1S$ EV5 6ATT5D *UR*1 AVOID$
! VILLAGE ON ALL O3A.NS1 & SP5T A LIFE (
5TIRE SECLU.N )9 ! LIMITS ( 8 P>K &
GR.DS2 ONLY V>I$ 0SOLIT>Y RAM#S ON !
MOORS1 & VISITS 6! GRAVE ( 8 WIFE1 MO/LY
AT EV5+1 OR E>LY MORN+ 2F O!R W&]]S 7
ABROAD4 ,B HE 0 TOO GD 6BE ?OR\<LY
UNHAPPY L;G4 ,HE DIDN'T PRAY = ,CA!R9E'S
S\L 6HAUNT HM4 ,"T BR"\ RESIGN,N1 &A
MELAN*OLY SWEET] ?AN -MON JOY4 ,HE
RECALL$ H] MEMORY ) >D5T1 T5D] LOVE1 &
HOPE;L ASPIR+ 6! BETT] _W2 ": HE D\BT$ N
%E 0 G"O4
  ,& HE _H E>?LY 3SOL,N & A6EC;NS AL4
,=A FEW "DS ,I SD HE SEEM$ REG>D.S (!
PUNY SU3ESSOR 6! DE"P$3 ! COLD;S MELT$ Z
FA/ Z SN[ 9 ,APRIL1 & ]E ! T9Y ?+ CD
/AMM] A ^W OR TOTT] A /EP X WIELD$ A
DESPOT'S SCEPTRE 9 8 HE>T4 ,X 0 "ND
,CA!R9E2 B HE N"E CALL$ X ! "N 9 FULL1 Z
HE _H N"E CALL$ ! F/ ,CA!R9E %ORT2
PROBABLY 2C ,H1?CLIFF _H A HABIT ( DO+
S4 ,! LL "O 0 ALW ,CA?Y2 X =M$ 6HM A
4T9C;N F ! "M1 & YET A 3NEC;N ) H]2 & 8
ATTA*;T SPRANG F XS REL,N 6H]1 F> M ?AN
F XS 2+ 8 [N4
  ,I US$ 6DRAW A -P>ISON 2T HM & ,H9DLEY
,E>N%AW1 & P]PLEX MYF 6EXPLA9
SATISFACTORILY :Y _! 3DUCT 0 S OPPOSITE
9 SIMIL> CIRCUM/.ES4 ,!Y _H BO? BE5 FOND
HUSB&S1 & 7 BO? ATTA*$ 6_! *N2 & ,I CD N
SEE H[ !Y %DN'T BO? H TAK5 ! SAME ROAD1
= GD OR EVIL4 ,B1 ,I ?"\ 9 MY M9D4
,H9DLEY1 ) APP>5TLY ! /R;G] H1D1 HAS %[N
HMF SADLY ! WORSE &! W1K] MAN4 ,:5 8 %IP
/RUCK1 ! CAPTA9 AB&ON$ 8 PO/2 &! CREW1
9/1D ( TRY+ 6SAVE H]1 RU%$ 96RIOT &
3FU.N1 L1V+ NO HOPE = _! LUCK.S VESSEL4
,L9TON1 ON ! 3TR>Y1 4PLAY$ ! TRUE C\RAGE
(A LOYAL & FAI?;L S\L3 HE TRU/$ ,GOD2 &
,GOD -=T$ HM4 ,"O HOP$1 &! O!R DESPAIR$3
!Y *OSE _! [N LOTS1 & 7 "RE\SLY DOOM$
65DURE !M4 ,B Y'LL N
WANT 6HE> MY MORALIS+1 ,MR4 ,LOCKWOOD3
Y'LL JUDGE Z WELL Z ,I C1 ALL ^! ?+S3 AT
L1/1 Y'LL ?9K Y W1 & T'S ! SAME4 ,! 5D (
,E>N%AW 0 :AT MI<T H BE5 EXPECT$2 X
FOLL[$ FA/ ON 8 SI/]'S3 "! 0 SC>CELY SIX
MON?S 2T !M4 ,WE1 AT ! ,GRANGE1 N"E GOT
A V SU39CT A3.T ( 8 /ATE PREC$+ X2 ALL T
,I DID LE>N1 0 ON O3A.N ( GO+ 6AID 9 !
PREP>,NS =! FUN]AL4 ,MR4 ,K5NE? CAME
6ANN\NCE ! EV5T 6MY MA/]4
  8,WELL1 ,NELLY10 SD HE1 RID+ 96! Y>D
"O MORN+1 TOO E>LY N 6AL>M ME ) AN 9/ANT
PRES5TI;T ( BAD NEWS1 8X'S YRS & MY TURN
6G 96M\RN+ AT PRES5T4 ,:O'S GIV5 U !
SLIP N[1 D Y ?9K80
  8,:O80 ,I ASK$ 9 A FLURRY4
  8,:Y1 GUESS60 HE RETURN$1 4M.T+1 &
SL++ 8 BRIDLE ON A HOOK 0! DOOR4 8,& NIP
UP ! CORN] ( YR APRON3 ,I'M C]TA9 Y'LL
NE$ X40
  8,N ,MR4 ,H1?CLIFF1 SURELY80 ,I
EXCLAIM$4
  8,:AT6 WD Y H TE>S = HM80 SD ! DOCTOR4
8,NO1 ,H1?CLIFF'S A T\< "Y FELL[3 HE
LOOKS BLOOM+ TD4 ,I'VE J SE5 HM4 ,HE'S
RAPIDLY REGA9+ FLE% S9CE HE LO/ 8 BETT]
HALF40
  8,:O IS X !N1 ,MR4 ,K5NE?80 ,I REP1T$
IMPATI5TLY4
  8,H9DLEY ,E>N%AW6 ,YR OLD FR ,H9DLEY10
HE REPLI$1 8& MY WICK$ GOSSIP3 ?\< HE'S
BE5 TOO WILD = ME ? L;G :ILE4 ,"!6 ,I SD
WE %D DRAW WAT]4 ,B *E] UP4 ,HE DI$ TRUE
6HIS "*3 DRUNK Z A "L4 ,POOR LAD6 ,I'M
SORRY1 TOO4 ,"O C'T HELP MISS+ AN OLD
-PANION3 ?\< HE _H ! WOR/ TRICKS ) HM T
"E MAN IMAG9$1 & HAS D"O ME _M A RASC,Y
TURN4 ,HE'S B>ELY TW5TY-SEV51 X SEEMS2
T'S YR [N AGE3 :O WD H ?"\ Y 7 BORN 9 "O
YE>80
  ,I 3FESS ? BL[ 0 GRT] 6ME ?AN ! %OCK (
,MRS4 ,L9TON'S D1?3 ANCI5T ASSOCI,NS
L+]$ R.D MY HE>T2 ,I SAT D[N 9 ! POR* &
WEPT Z =A BLOOD REL,N1 DESIR+ ,MR4
,K5NE? 6GET ANO!R S]VANT 69TRODUCE HM 6!
MA/]4 ,I CD N H9D] MYF F POND]+ ON ! "Q-
8,_H HE _H FAIR PLAY80 ,:AT"E ,I DID1 T
IDEA WD BO!R ME3 X 0 S TIRE"SLY
P]T9ACI\S T ,I RESOLV$ ON REQUE/+ L1VE
6G 6,WU!R+ ,HEI<TS1 & ASSI/ 9 ! LA/
DUTIES 6! D1D4 ,MR4 ,L9TON 0 EXTREMELY
RELUCTANT 63S5T1 B ,I PL1D$ ELOQU5TLY =!
FR.S 3DI;N 9 : HE LAY2 & ,I SD MY OLD
MA/] & FO/]-BRO!R _H A CLAIM ON MY
S]VICES Z /R;G Z 8 [N4 ,2SS1 ,I REM9D$
HM T ! * ,H>ETON 0 8 WIFE'S NEPHEW1 &1 9
! ABS;E ( NE>] K91 HE "\ 6ACT Z XS
GU>DIAN2 & HE "\ 6& M/ 5QUIRE H[ !
PROP]TY 0 LEFT1 & LOOK OV] ! 3C]NS ( 8
BRO!R-IN-LAW4 ,HE 0 UNFIT = ATT5D+ 6S*
MATT]S !N1 B HE BID ME SP1K 6HIS LAWY]2
& AT L5G? P]MITT$ ME 6G4 ,8 LAWY] _H BE5
,E>N%AW'S AL3 ,I CALL$ AT ! VILLAGE1 &
ASK$ HM 6A3OMPANY ME4 ,HE %OOK 8 H1D1 &
ADVIS$ T ,H1?CLIFF %D 2 LET AL"O2
A6IRM+1 IF ! TRU? 7 "KN1 ,H>ETON WD 2
F.D LL ELSE ?AN A BE7>4
  8,HIS "F DI$ 9 DEBT10 HE SD2 8! :OLE
PROP]TY IS MORTGAG$1 &! SOLE *.E =!
NATURAL HEIR IS 6ALL[ HM AN OPPORTUN;Y (
CR1T+ "S 9T]E/ 9 ! CR$ITOR'S HE>T1 T HE
MAY 2 9CL9$ 6D1L L5I5TLY T[>DS HM40
  ,:5 ,I R1*$ ! ,HEI<TS1 ,I EXPLA9$ T ,I
_H -E 6SEE "EY?+ C>RI$ ON DEC5TLY2 &
,JOSEPH1 :O APPE>$ 9 SU6ICI5T 4TRESS1
EXPRESS$ SATISFAC;N AT MY PRES;E4 ,MR4
,H1?CLIFF SD HE DID N P]CV T ,I 0 WANT$2
B ,I MI<T /AY & ORD] ! >RANGE;TS =!
FUN]AL1 IF ,I *OSE4
  8,CORRECTLY10 HE REM>K$1 8T FOOL'S
BODY %D 2 BURI$ AT ! CROSS-ROADS1 )\T
C]EMONY ( ANY K9D4 ,I HAPP5$ 6L1VE HM T5
M9UTES YE/]"D AFN1 & 9 T 9T]VAL HE FA/5$
! TWO DOORS (! H\SE AG/ ME1 & HE HAS
SP5T ! NI<T 9 DR9K+ HMF 6D1?
DELIB]ATELY6 ,WE BROKE 9 ? MORN+1 = WE
HE>D HM SNORT+ L A HORSE2 & "! HE WAS1
LAID OV] ! SETTLE2 FLAY+ & SCALP+ WD N H
WAK5$ HM4 ,I S5T = ,K5NE?1 & HE CAME2 B
N TILL ! B1/ _H *ANG$ 96C>RION3 HE 0 BO?
D1D & COLD1 & />K2 & S Y'LL ALL[ X 0
USE.S MAK+ M /IR AB HM60
  ,! OLD S]VANT 3FIRM$ ? /ATE;T1 B
MUTT]$3
  8,I'D RAY!R HE'D GOAN HISSELN = T'
DOCTOR6 ,I SUD HA' TAEN T5T O' T' MAI/]
BETT] NOR HM- & HE W>N'T DEEAD :5 ,I
LEFT1 NAU<T O' T' SO>T60
  ,I 9SI/$ ON ! FUN]AL 2+ RESPECTA#4
,MR4 ,H1?CLIFF SD ,I MI<T H MY [N WAY "!
TOO2 ONLY1 HE DESIR$ ME 6REMEMB] T !
M"OY =! :OLE A6AIR CAME \ ( 8 POCKET4
,HE MA9TA9$ A H>D1 C>E.S DEPORT;T1
9DICATIVE ( NEI JOY NOR SORR[2 IF ANY?+1
X EXPRESS$ A FL9TY GRATIFIC,N AT A PIECE
( DI6ICULT "W SU3ESS;LLY EXECUT$4 ,I
OBS]V$ ONCE1 9DE$1 "S?+ L EXULT,N 9 8
ASPECT3 X 0 J :5 ! P 7 BE>+ ! C(F9 F !
H\SE4 ,HE _H ! HYPOCRISY 6REPRES5T A
M\RN]3 & PREVI\S 6FOLL[+ ,H>ETON1 HE
LIFT$ ! UN=TUNATE * ON 6! TA# & MUTT]$1
) PECULI> GU/O1 8,N[1 MY BONNY LAD1 Y >E
M9E6 ,& WE'LL SEE IF "O TREE WON'T GR[ Z
CROOK$ Z ANO!R1 )! SAME W9D 6TWI/ X60 ,!
UNSUSPECT+ ?+ 0 PL1S$ AT ? SPEE*3 HE
PLAY$ ) ,H1?CLIFF'S :ISK]S1 & /ROK$ 8
*EEK2 B ,I DIV9$ XS M1N+1 & OBS]V$
T>TLY1 8,T BOY M/ G BACK ) ME
6,?RU%CROSS ,GRANGE1 SIR4 ,"! IS NO?+ 9
! _W LESS YRS ?AN HE IS60
  8,DOES ,L9TON SAY S80 HE DEM&$4
  8,( C\RSE- HE HAS ORD]$ ME 6TAKE HM10
,I REPLI$4
  8,WELL10 SD ! SC.DREL10 WE'LL N >GUE !
SUBJECT N[3 B ,I H A FANCY 6TRY MY H& AT
RE>+ A "Y "O2 S 9TIMATE 6YR MA/] T ,I M/
SUPPLY ! PLACE ( ? ) MY [N1 IF HE
ATTEMPT 6REMOVE X4 ,I DON'T 5GAGE 6LET
,H>ETON G UNDISPUT$2 B ,I'LL 2 PRETTY
SURE 6MAKE ! O!R -E6 ,REMEMB] 6TELL HM40
  ,? H9T 0 5 6B9D MY H&S4 ,I REP1T$ XS
SUB/.E ON MY RETURN2 & ,$G> ,L9TON1 LL
9T]E/$ AT ! -M;E;T1
SPOKE NO M ( 9T]F]+4 ,I'M N AW>E T HE CD
H D"O X 6ANY PURPOSE1 _H HE BE5 "E S
WILL+4
  ,! GUE/ 0 N[ ! MA/] ( ,WU!R+ ,HEI<TS3
HE HELD FIRM POSSES.N1 & PROV$ 6!
ATTORNEY- :O1 9 8 TURN1 PROV$ X 6,MR4
,L9TON- T ,E>N%AW _H MORTGAG$ E Y>D ( L&
HE [N$1 = CA% 6SUPPLY 8 MANIA = GAM+2 &
HE1 ,H1?CLIFF1 0 ! MORTGAGEE4 ,9 T MANN]
,H>ETON1 :O %D N[ 2 ! F/ G5TLEMAN 9 !
NEI<B\RHOOD1 0 REDUC$ 6A /ATE ( -PLETE
DEP5D;E ON 8 "F'S 9VET]ATE 5EMY2 & LIVES
9 8 [N H\SE Z A S]VANT1 DEPRIV$ (!
ADVANTAGE ( WAGES3 Q UNA# 6"R HMF1 2C (
8 FR.S;S1 & 8 IGNOR.E T HE HAS BE5
WR;G$4