,,*APT] #E

  ,,! ,,D>KE/ ,,H\R

  ,IF ANY?+ _H BE5 NE$$ 6GIVE AN IMPETUS
6,JACK ,MC,MURDO'S POPUL>;Y AM;G 8 FELL[S
X WD H BE5 8 >RE/ & ACQUITTAL4 ,T A MAN ON
! V NI<T ( JO9+ ! LODGE %D H D"O "S?+ :
BR"\ HM 2F ! MAGI/RATE 0 A NEW RECORD 9 !
ANNALS (! SOCIETY4 ,ALR HE _H E>N$    
! REPUT,N (A GD BOON -PANION1 A *E]Y
REVELL]1 & )AL A MAN ( HI< TEMP]1 :O WD N
TAKE AN 9SULT EV5 F ! ALL P[];L ,BOSS HMF4
,B 9 A4I;N 6? HE IMPRESS$ 8 -RADES )! IDEA
T AM;G !M ALL "! 0 N "O ^: BRA9 0 S R1DY
6DEVISE A BLOOD?IR/Y S*EME1 OR ^: H& WD 2
M CAPA# ( C>RY+ X \4 8,HE'LL 2 ! BOY =!
CL1N JOB10 SD ! OLD/]S 6"O ANO!R1 & WAIT$
_! "T UNTIL !Y CD SET HM 6HIS "W4

  ,MC,G9TY _H 9/RU;TS 5 ALR1 B HE
RECOGNIZ$ T ? 0 A SUPREMELY A# "O4 ,HE
FELT L A MAN HOLD+ A FI]CE BLOODH.D 9 L1%4
,"! 7 CURS 6D ! SMALL] "W2 B "S "D HE WD
SLIP ? CR1TURE ^U XS PREY4 ,A FEW MEMB]S (
! LODGE1 ,T$ ,BALDW9 AM;G !M1 RES5T$ !
RAPID RISE (! /RANG] & HAT$ HM = X2 B !Y
KEPT CLE> ( HM1 = HE 0 Z R1DY 6FI<T Z
6LAU<4

  ,B IF HE GA9$ FAV\R ) 8 FELL[S1 "! 0
ANO!R QU>T]1 "O : _H 2COME EV5 M VITAL
6HM1 9 : HE LO/ X4 ,ETTIE ,%AFT]'S "F WD H
NO?+ M 6D ) HM1 NOR WD HE ALL[ HM 65T] !
H\SE4 ,ETTIE H]F 0 TOO DEEPLY 9 LOVE 6GIVE
HM UP ALT1 & YET H] [N GD S5SE W>N$ H] (
:AT WD -E F A M>RIAGE )A MAN :O 0     
REG>D$ Z A CRIM9AL4

  ,"O MORN+1 AF A SLEEP.S NI<T %E DET]M9$
6SEE HM1 POSSIBLY =! LA/ "T1 & MAKE "O
/R;G 5D1V\R 6DRAW HM F ^? EVIL 9FLU;ES : 7
SUCK+ HM D[N4 ,%E W5T 6HIS H\SE1 Z HE _H
(T5 BE7$ H] 6D1 & MADE H] WAY 96! ROOM :
HE US$ Z 8 SITT+-ROOM4 ,HE 0 S1T$ AT A TA#
) 8 BACK TURN$ &A LR 9 FRONT ( HM4 ,A SU45
_S ( GIRLI% MIS*IEF CAME OV] H]- %E 0 /
ONLY N9ETE54 ,HE _H N HE>D H] :5 %E PU%$
OP5 ! DOOR4 ,N[ %E TIPTO$ =W>D & LAID H]
H& LI<TLY ^U 8 B5D$ %\LD]S4

  ,IF %E _H EXPECT$ 6/>TLE HM1 %E C]TA9LY
SU3E$$2 B ONLY 9 TURN 6BE />TL$ H]F4 ,)A
TIG] SPR+ HE TURN$ ON H]1 & 8 "R H& 0
FEEL+ = H] ?ROAT4 ,AT ! SAME 9/ANT )! O!R
H& HE CRUMPL$ UP ! PAP] T LAY 2F HM4 ,= AN
9/ANT HE /OOD GL>+4 ,!N A/ONI%;T & JOY
TOOK ! PLACE (! F]OC;Y : _H 3VULS$ 8
F1TURES- A F]OC;Y : _H S5T H] %R9K+ BACK 9
HORROR Z F "S?+ : _H N"E 2F 9TRUD$ 96H]
G5TLE LIFE4

  8,X'S Y60 SD HE1 MOPP+ 8 BR[4 8,& 6?9K T
Y %D -E 6ME1 HE>T ( MY HE>T1 & ,I %D F9D
NO?+ BETT] 6D ?AN 6WANT 6/RANGLE Y6   
,-E !N1 D>L+10 & HE HELD \ 8 >MS1 8LET ME
MAKE X UP 6Y40

  ,B %E _H N RECOV]$ F T SU45 GLIMPSE (
GUILTY FE> : %E _H R1D 9 ! MAN'S FACE4
,ALL H] WOMAN'S 9/9CT TOLD H] T X 0 N !
M]E F"R (A MAN :O IS />TL$4 ,GUILT- T 0 X-
GUILT & FE>6

  8,:AT'S -E OV] Y1 ,JACK80 %E CRI$4 8,:Y
7 Y S SC>$ ( ME8 ,OH1 ,JACK1 IF YR 3SCI;E
0 AT EASE1 Y WD N H LOOK$ AT ME L T60

  8,SURE1 ,I 0 ?9K+ ( O!R ?+S1 & :5 Y CAME
TRIPP+ S LI<TLY ON ^? FAIRY FEET ( YRS-0

  8,NO1 NO1 X 0 M ?AN T1 ,JACK40 ,!N A
SU45 SUSPICION SEIZ$ H]4 8,LET ME SEE T LR
Y 7 WRIT+40

  8,AH1 ,ETTIE1 ,I CDN'T D T40

  ,H] SUSPICIONS 2CAME C]TA9TIES4 8,X'S
6ANO!R WOMAN10 %E CRI$4 8,I "K X6 ,:Y ELSE
%D Y HOLD X F ME8 ,0 X 6YR WIFE T Y 7
WRIT+8 ,H[ AM ,I 6"K T Y >E N A M>RI$ MAN-
Y1 A /RANG]1 T NOBODY "KS80

  8,I AM N M>RI$1 ,ETTIE4 ,SEE N[1 ,I SWE>
X6 ,Y'RE ! ONLY "O WOMAN ON E>? 6ME4 ,0!
CROSS ( ,*RI/ ,I SWE> X60

  ,HE 0 S :ITE ) PAS.NATE E>NE/;S T   
%E CD N B 2LIEVE HM4

  8,WELL1 !N10 %E CRI$1 8,:Y W Y N %[ ME !
LR80

  8,I'LL TELL Y1 ACU%LA10 SD HE4 8,I'M "U
OA? N 6%[ X1 & J Z ,I WDN'T BR1K MY ^W 6Y
S ,I WD KEEP X 6^? :O HOLD MY PROMISE4
,X'S ! BUSI;S (! LODGE1 & EV5 6Y X'S
SECRET4 ,& IF ,I 0 SC>$ :5 A H& FELL ON
ME1 C'T Y "U/& X :5 X MI<T H BE5 ! H& (A
DETECTIVE80

  ,%E FELT T HE 0 TELL+ ! TRU?4 ,HE GA!R$
H] 96HIS >MS & KISS$ AWAY H] FE>S & D\BTS4

  8,SIT "H 0ME1 !N4 ,X'S A QUE] ?R"O = S*
A QUE52 B X'S ! BE/ YR POOR LOV] C F9D4
,HE'LL D BETT] = Y "S ( ^! "DS1 ,I'M ?9K+4
,N[ YR M9D IS EASY ONCE AG1 IS X N80

  8,H[ C X "E 2 AT EASE1 ,JACK1 :5 ,I "K T
Y >E A CRIM9AL AM;G CRIM9ALS1 :5 ,I N"E "K
! "D T ,I MAY HE> Y >E 9 C\RT = MURD]8
,8,MC,MURDO ! ,SC[R]10' T'S :AT "O ( \R
BO>D]S CALL$ Y YE/]"D4 ,X W5T "? MY HE>T L
A KNIFE40

  8,SURE1 H>D ^WS BR1K NO B"OS40

  8,B !Y 7 TRUE40

  8,WELL1 DE>1 X'S N S BAD Z Y ?9K4   
,WE >E B POOR M5 T >E TRY+ 9 \R [N WAY
6GET \R "RS40

  ,ETTIE ?REW H] >MS R.D H] LOV]'S NECK4
8,GIVE X UP1 ,JACK6 ,= MY SAKE1 = ,GOD'S
SAKE1 GIVE X UP6 ,X 0 6ASK Y T ,I CAME "H
TO-"D4 ,OH1 ,JACK1 SEE- ,I BEG X ( Y ON MY
B5D$ KNEES6 ,KNEEL+ "H 2F Y ,I IMPLORE Y
6GIVE X UP60

  ,HE RAIS$ H] & SOO!D H] ) H] H1D AG/ 8
BR1/4

  8,SURE1 MY D>L9'1 Y DON'T "K :AT X IS Y
>E ASK+4 ,H[ CD ,I GIVE X UP :5 X WD 2
6BR1K MY OA? & 6DES]T MY -RADES8 ,IF Y CD
SEE H[ ?+S /& ) ME Y CD N"E ASK X ( ME4
,2SS1 IF ,I WANT$ TO1 H[ CD ,I D X8 ,Y
DON'T SUPPOSE T ! LODGE WD LET A MAN G
FREE ) ALL XS SECRETS80

  8,I'VE ?"\ ( T1 ,JACK4 ,I'VE PLANN$ X
ALL4 ,"F HAS SAV$ "S M"OY4 ,HE IS WE>Y ( ?
PLACE ": ! FE> ( ^! P D>K5S \R LIVES4 ,HE
IS R1DY 6G4 ,WE WD FLY TGR 6,PHILADELPHIA
OR ,NEW ,YORK1 ": WE WD 2 SAFE F !M40

  ,MC,MURDO LAU<$4 8,! LODGE HAS A L;G >M4
,D Y ?9K X CD N /RET* F "H 6,PHILADELPHIA
OR ,NEW ,YORK80                       

  8,WELL1 !N1 6! ,WE/1 OR 6,5GL&1 OR
6,G]_M1 ": "F CAME F- ANY": 6GET AWAY F ?
,VALLEY ( ,FE>60

  ,MC,MURDO ?"\ ( OLD ,BRO!R ,MORRIS4
8,SURE X IS ! SECOND "T ,I H HE>D ! VALLEY
S "ND10 SD HE4 8,! %AD[ DOES 9DE$ SEEM
6LIE H1VY ON "S ( Y40

  8,X D>K5S E MO;T ( \R LIVES4 ,D Y
SUPPOSE T ,T$ ,BALDW9 HAS "E =GIV5 U8 ,IF
X 7 N T HE FE>S Y1 :AT D Y SUPPOSE \R *.ES
WD BE8 ,IF Y SAW ! LOOK 9 ^? D>K1 HUNGRY
EYES ( 8 :5 !Y FALL ON ME60

  8,0,G>6 ,I'D T1* HM BETT] MANN]S IF ,I
CAU<T HM AT X6 ,B SEE "H1 LL GIRL4 ,I C'T
L1VE "H4 ,I C'T- TAKE T F ME ONCE &= ALL4
,B IF Y W L1VE ME 6F9D MY [N WAY1 ,I W TRY
6PREP>E A WAY ( GETT+ HON\RABLY \ ( X40

  8,"! IS NO HON\R 9 S* A MATT]40

  8,WELL1 WELL1 X'S J H[ Y LOOK AT X4 ,B
IF Y'LL GIVE ME SIX MON?S1 ,I'LL "W X S T
,I C L1VE )\T 2+ A%AM$ 6LOOK O!RS 9 !
FACE40

  ,! GIRL LAU<$ ) JOY4 8,SIX MON?S60 %E
CRI$4 8,IS X A PROMISE80

  8,WELL1 X MAY 2 SEV5 OR EI<T4 ,B    
)9 A YE> AT ! FUR!/ WE W L1VE ! VALLEY 2H
U40

  ,X 0 ! MO/ T ,ETTIE CD OBTA91 & YET X 0
"S?+4 ,"! 0 ? 4TANT LI<T 6ILLUM9ATE !
GLOOM (! IMM FUTURE4 ,%E RETURN$ 6H] "F'S
H\SE M LI<T-HE>T$ ?AN %E _H "E BE5 S9CE
,JACK ,MC,MURDO _H -E 96H] LIFE4

  ,X MI<T 2 ?"\ T Z A MEMB]1 ALL ! DO+S (!
SOCIETY WD 2 TOLD 6HM2 B HE 0 SOON 64COV]
T ! ORGANIZ,N 0 WID] & M -PLEX ?AN !
SIMPLE LODGE4 ,EV5 ,BOSS ,MC,G9TY 0
IGNORANT Z 6_M ?+S2 = "! 0 AN (FICIAL "ND
! ,C.TY ,DELEGATE1 LIV+ AT ,HOBSON'S ,PAT*
F>!R D[N ! L9E1 :O _H P[] OV] S"EAL DI6]5T
LODGES : HE WIELD$ 9 A SU45 & >BITR>Y WAY4
,ONLY ONCE DID ,MC,MURDO SEE HM1 A SLY1 LL
GRAY-HAIR$ RAT (A MAN1 )A SL9K+ GAIT &A
SIDEL;G GL.E : 0 *>G$ ) MALICE4 ,EVANS
,POTT 0 8 "N1 & EV5 ! GRT ,BOSS ( ,V]MISSA
FELT T[>DS HM "S?+ (! REPUL.N & FE> : !
HUGE ,DANTON MAY H FELT =! PUNY B DANG]\S
,ROBESPI]RE4

  ,"O "D ,SCANLAN1 :O 0 ,MC,MURDO'S FELL[
BO>D]1 RCVD A NOTE F ,MC,G9TY 9CLOS+ "O F
,EVANS ,POTT1 : 9=M$ HM T HE 0 S5D+   
OV] TWO GD M51 ,LAWL] & ,&REWS1 :O _H
9/RUC;NS 6ACT 9 ! NEI<B\RHOOD2 ?\< X 0 BE/
=! CAUSE T NO "PICUL>S Z 6_! OBJECTS %D 2
GIV54 ,WD ! ,BODYMA/] SEE 6X T SUITA#
>RANGE;TS 2 MADE = _! LODG+S & -=T UNTIL !
"T = AC;N %D >RIVE8 ,MC,G9TY A4$ T X 0
IMPOSSI# = ANY"O 6REMA9 SECRET AT ! ,UNION
,H\SE1 & T1 "!=E1 HE WD 2 OBLIG$ IF
,MC,MURDO & ,SCANLAN WD PUT ! /RANG]S UP =
A FEW "DS 9 _! BO>D+ H\SE4

  ,! SAME EV5+ ! TWO M5 >RIV$1 EA* C>RY+ 8
GRIPSACK4 ,LAWL] 0 AN ELD]LY MAN1 %REWD1
SIL5T1 & SELF-3TA9$1 CLAD 9 AN OLD BLACK
FROCK COAT1 : ) 8 S(T FELT HAT & RA7$1
GRIZZL$ BE>D GAVE HM A G5]AL RESEMBL.E 6AN
IT9]ANT PR1*]4 ,8 -PANION ,&REWS 0 LL M
?AN A BOY1 FRANK-FAC$ & *E];L1 )! BREEZY
MANN] ( "O :O IS \ =A HOLI"D & M1NS 65JOY
E M9UTE ( X4 ,BO? M5 7 TOTAL AB/A9]S1 &
2HAV$ 9 ALL WAYS Z EXEMPL>Y MEMB]S (!
SOCIETY1 )! "O SIMPLE EXCEP;N T !Y 7
ASSASS9S :O _H (T5 PROV$ !MVS 6BE MO/
CAPA# 9/RU;TS = ? ASSOCI,N ( MURD]4 ,LAWL]
_H ALR C>RI$ \ F\RTE5 -MIS.NS (! K9D1 &
,&REWS ?REE4                          

  ,!Y W]E1 Z ,MC,MURDO F.D1 Q R1DY 63V]SE
AB _! DE$S 9 ! PA/1 : !Y REC.T$ )! HALF-
BA%;L PRIDE ( M5 :O _H D"O GD & UNSELFI%
S]VICE =! -MUN;Y4 ,!Y 7 RETIC5T1 H["E1 Z
6! IMM JOB 9 H&4

  8,!Y *OSE U 2C NEI ,I NOR ! BOY "H
DR9K10 ,LAWL] EXPLA9$4 8,!Y C C.T ON U
SAY+ NO M ?AN WE %D4 ,Y M/ N TAKE X AMISS1
B X IS ! ORD]S (! ,C.TY ,DELEGATE T WE
OBEY40

  8,SURE1 WE >E ALL 9 X TGR10 SD ,SCANLAN1
,MC,MURDO'S MATE1 Z ! F\R SAT TGR AT
SUPP]4

  8,T'S TRUE 5\<1 & WE'LL TALK TILL ! C[S
-E HOME (! KILL+ ( ,*>LIE ,WILLIAMS OR (
,SIMON ,BIRD1 OR ANY O!R JOB 9 ! PA/4 ,B
TILL ! "W IS D"O WE SAY NO?+40

  8,"! >E HALF A DOZ5 AB "H T ,I H A ^W
6SAY TO10 SD ,MC,MURDO1 ) AN OA?4 8,I
SUPPOSE X ISN'T ,JACK ,KNOX ( ,IRONHILL T
Y >E AF4 ,I'D G "S WAY 6SEE HM GET 8
DES]TS40

  8,NO1 X'S N HM YET40

  8,OR ,H]MAN ,/RAUSS80

  8,NO1 NOR HM EI40                   

  8,WELL1 IF Y WON'T TELL U WE C'T MAKE Y2
B ,I'D 2 GLAD 6"K40

  ,LAWL] SMIL$ & %OOK 8 H1D4 ,HE 0 N 6BE
DRAWN4

  ,9 SPITE (! RETIC;E ( _! GUE/S1 ,SCANLAN
& ,MC,MURDO 7 Q DET]M9$ 6BE PRES5T AT :AT
!Y CALL$ 8! FUN40 ,:51 "!=E1 AT AN E>LY
H\R "O MORN+ ,MC,MURDO HE>D !M CREEP+ D[N
! /AIRS HE AWAK5$ ,SCANLAN1 &! TWO HURRI$
ON _! CLO!S4 ,:5 !Y 7 DRESS$ !Y F.D T !
O!RS _H /OL5 \1 L1V+ ! DOOR OP5 2H !M4 ,X
0 N YET DAWN1 & 0! LI<T (! LAMPS !Y CD SEE
! TWO M5 "S 4T.E D[N ! /REET4 ,!Y FOLL[$
!M W>ILY1 TR1D+ NOISE.SLY 9 ! DEEP SN[4

  ,! BO>D+ H\SE 0 NE> ! $GE (! T[N1 & SOON
!Y 7 AT ! CROSSROADS : IS 2Y XS B.D>Y4 ,"H
?REE M5 7 WAIT+1 ) :OM ,LAWL] & ,&REWS
HELD A %ORT1 EAG] 3V]S,N4 ,!N !Y ALL MOV$
ON TGR4 ,X 0 CLE>LY "S NOTA# JOB : NE$$
NUMB]S4 ,AT ? PO9T "! >E S"EAL TRAILS :
L1D 6V>I\S M9ES4 ,! /RANG]S TOOK T : L$ 6!
,CR[ ,HILL1 A HUGE BUSI;S : 0 9 /R;G H&S :
_H BE5 A#1 ?ANKS 6_! 5]GETIC & FE>.S ,NEW
,5GL& MANAG]1 ,JOSIAH ,H4 ,DUNN1 6KEEP "S
ORD] & 4CIPL9E DUR+ ! L;G REIGN (     
T]ROR4

  ,"D 0 BR1K+ N[1 &A L9E ( "WM5 7 SL[LY
MAK+ _! WAY1 S+LY & 9 GR\PS1 AL;G !
BLACK5$ PA?4

  ,MC,MURDO & ,SCANLAN /ROLL$ ON )! O!RS1
KEEP+ 9 SI<T (! M5 :OM !Y FOLL[$4 ,A ?ICK
MI/ LAY OV] !M1 & F ! HE>T ( X "! CAME !
SU45 SCR1M (A /1M :I/LE4 ,X 0 ! T5-M9UTE
SIGNAL 2F ! CAGES DESC5D$ &! "D'S LAB\R
2GAN4

  ,:5 !Y R1*$ ! OP5 SPACE R.D ! M9E %AFT
"! 7 A HUNDR$ M9]S WAIT+1 /AMP+ _! FEET &
BL[+ ON _! F+]S2 = X 0 BITT]LY COLD4 ,!
/RANG]S /OOD 9 A LL GR\P "U ! %AD[ (! 5G9E
H\SE4 ,SCANLAN & ,MC,MURDO CLIMB$ A H1P (
SLAG F : ! :OLE SC5E LAY 2F !M4 ,!Y SAW !
M9E 5G9E]1 A GRT BE>D$ ,SCOT*MAN "ND
,M5ZIES1 -E \ (! 5G9E H\SE & BL[ 8 :I/LE =
! CAGES 6BE L[]$4

  ,AT ! SAME 9/ANT A TALL1 LOOSE-FRAM$ "Y
MAN )A CL1N-%AV$1 E>NE/ FACE ADV.ED EAG]LY
T[>DS ! PIT H1D4 ,Z HE CAME =W>D 8 EYES
FELL ^U ! GR\P1 SIL5T & MO;N.S1 "U ! 5G9E
H\SE4 ,! M5 _H DRAWN D[N _! HATS & TURN$
UP _! COLL>S 6SCRE5 _! FACES4 ,=A     
MO;T ! PRES5TI;T ( ,D1? LAID XS COLD H& ^U
! MANAG]'S HE>T4 ,AT ! NEXT HE _H %AK5 X
(F & SAW ONLY 8 DUTY T[>DS 9TRUSIVE
/RANG]S4

  8,:O >E Y80 HE ASK$ Z HE ADV.ED4 8,:AT
>E Y LOIT]+ "! =80

  ,"! 0 NO ANSW]1 B ! LAD ,&REWS /EPP$
=W>D & %OT HM 9 ! /OMA*4 ,! HUNDR$ WAIT+
M9]S /OOD Z MO;N.S & HELP.S Z IF !Y 7
P>ALYZ$4 ,! MANAG] CLAPP$ 8 TWO H&S 6! W.D
& D\#D HMF UP4 ,!N HE /A7]$ AWAY2 B ANO!R
(! ASSASS9S FIR$1 & HE W5T D[N SIDEWISE1
KICK+ & CLAW+ AM;G A H1P ( CL9K]S4
,M5ZIES1 ! ,SCOT*MAN1 GAVE A RO> ( RAGE AT
! SI<T & RU%$ ) AN IRON SPANN] AT !
MURD]]S2 B 0 MET 0TWO BALLS 9 ! FACE :
DROPP$ HM D1D AT _! V FEET4

  ,"! 0 A SURGE =W>D ( "S (! M9]S1 & AN
9>TICULATE CRY ( P;Y &( ANG]1 B A C\PLE (!
/RANG]S EMPTI$ _! SIX-%OOT]S OV] ! H1DS (!
CR[D1 & !Y BROKE & SCATT]$1 "S ( !M RU%+
WILDLY BACK 6_! HOMES 9 ,V]MISSA4

  ,:5 A FEW (! BRAVE/ _H RALLI$1 & "! 0 A
RETURN 6! M9E1 ! MURD]\S GANG _H VANI%$ 9
! MI/S ( MORN+1 )\T A S+LE WIT;S 2+   
A# 6SWE> 6! ID5T;Y ( ^! M5 :O 9 FRONT (A
HUNDR$ SPECTATORS _H WR"\ ? D\# CRIME4

  ,SCANLAN & ,MC,MURDO MADE _! WAY BACK2
,SCANLAN "S:AT SUBDU$1 = X 0 ! F/ MURD]
JOB T HE _H SE5 ) 8 [N EYES1 & X APPE>$
LESS FUNNY ?AN HE _H BE5 L$ 62LIEVE4 ,!
HORRI# SCR1MS (! D1D MANAG]'S WIFE PURSU$
!M Z !Y HURRI$ 6! T[N4 ,MC,MURDO 0 ABSORB$
& SIL5T2 B HE %[$ NO SYMPA?Y =! W1K5+ ( 8
-PANION4

  8,SURE1 X IS L A W>10 HE REP1T$4 8,:AT
IS X B A W> 2T U & !M1 & WE HIT BACK ": WE
BE/ C40

  ,"! 0 HI< REVEL 9 ! LODGE ROOM AT !
,UNION ,H\SE T NI<T1 N ONLY OV] ! KILL+ (!
MANAG] & 5G9E] (! ,CR[ ,HILL M9E1 : WD BR+
? ORGANIZ,N 96L9E )! O!R BLACKMAIL$ &
T]ROR-/RICK5 -PANIES (! 4TRICT1 B AL OV] A
4TANT TRIUMPH : _H BE5 WRAU<T 0! H&S (!
LODGE XF4

  ,X WD APPE> T :5 ! ,C.TY ,DELEGATE _H
S5T OV] FIVE GD M5 6/RIKE A BL[ 9 ,V]MISSA
HE _H DEM&$ T 9 RETURN ?REE ,V]MISSA M5 %D
2 SECRETLY SELECT$ & S5T ACR 6KILL
,WILLIAM ,HALES ( ,/AKE ,ROYAL1 "O    
(! BE/ "KN & MO/ POPUL> M9E [N]S 9 !
,GILM]TON 4TRICT1 A MAN :O 0 2LIEV$ N 6H
AN 5EMY 9 ! _W2 = HE 0 9 ALL WAYS A MODEL
EMPLOY]4 ,HE _H 9SI/$1 H["E1 ^U E6ICI5CY 9
! "W1 & _H1 "!=E1 PD (F C]TA9 DRUNK5 &
IDLE EMPLOYEES :O 7 MEMB]S (! ALL-P[];L
SOCIETY4 ,C(F9 NOTICES HUNG \TSIDE 8 DOOR
_H N W1K5$ 8 RESOLU;N1 & S 9 A FREE1
CIVILIZ$ C.TRY HE F.D HMF 3DEMN$ 6D1?4

  ,! EXECU;N _H N[ BE5 DULY C>RI$ \4 ,T$
,BALDW91 :O SPRAWL$ N[ 9 ! S1T ( HON\R 2S
! ,BODYMA/]1 _H BE5 *IEF (! "PY4 ,8 FLU%$
FACE & GLAZ$1 BLOOD%OT EYES TOLD (
SLEEP.S;S & DR9K4 ,HE & 8 TWO -RADES _H
SP5T ! NI<T 2F AM;G ! M.TA9S4 ,!Y 7
UNKEMPT & W1!R-/A9$4 ,B NO H]OES1 RETURN+
F A =LORN HOPE1 CD H _H A W>M] WELCOME F
_! -RADES4

  ,! /ORY 0 TOLD & RETOLD AMID CRIES (
DELI<T & %\TS ( LAU<T]4 ,!Y _H WAIT$ = _!
MAN Z HE DROVE HOME AT NI<TFALL1 TAK+ _!
/,N AT ! TOP (A /EEP HILL1 ": 8 HORSE M/ 2
AT A WALK4 ,HE 0 S FURR$ 6KEEP \ ! COLD T
HE CD N LAY 8 H& ON 8 PI/OL4 ,!Y _H PULL$
HM \ & %OT HM AG & AG4 ,HE _H         
SCR1M$ = M]CY4 ,! SCR1MS 7 REP1T$ =!
AMUSE;T (! LODGE4

  8,LET'S HE> AG H[ HE SQU1L$10 !Y CRI$4

  ,N"O ( !M KNEW ! MAN2 B "! IS ET]NAL
DRAMA 9 A KILL+1 & !Y _H %[N ! ,SC[R]S (
,GILM]TON T ! ,V]MISSA M5 7 6BE RELI$ ^U4

  ,"! _H BE5 "O 3TRETEMPS2 =A MAN & 8 WIFE
_H DRIV5 UP :ILE !Y 7 / EMPTY+ _! REVOLV]S
96! SIL5T BODY4 ,X _H BE5 SU7E/$ T !Y %D
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-PANIONS 9 _! E>S4

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HALF-DRUNK5 -PANY BROKE UP1 HE T\*$
,MC,MURDO ON ! >M & L$ HM ASIDE 96T 9N]
ROOM ": !Y _H _! F/ 9T]VIEW4

  8,SEE "H1 MY LAD10 SD HE1 8,I'VE GOT A
JOB T'S WOR?Y ( Y AT LA/4 ,Y'LL H ! DO+ (
X 9 YR [N H&S40

  8,PR\D ,I AM 6HE> X10 ,MC,MURDO ANSW]$4

  8,Y C TAKE TWO M5 ) Y- ,M&]S & ,REILLY4
,!Y H BE5 W>N$ = S]VICE4 ,WE'LL N"E 2 "R 9
? 4TRICT UNTIL ,*E/] ,WILCOX HAS BE5
SETTL$1 & Y'LL H ! ?ANKS ( E LODGE 9 !
COAL FIELDS IF Y C D[N HM40

  8,I'LL D MY BE/1 ANYH[4 ,:O IS HE1 & ":
% ,I F9D HM80

  ,MC,G9TY TOOK 8 ET]NAL HALF-*EW$1 HALF-
SMOK$ CIG> F ! CORN] ( 8 M\?1 & PROCE$$
6DRAW A R\< DIAGRAM ON A PAGE TORN F 8
NOTEBOOK4

  8,HE'S ! *IEF =EMAN (! ,IRON ,DIKE
,-PANY4 ,HE'S A H>D CITIZ51 AN OLD COL\R
S]G1NT (! W>1 ALL SC>S & GRIZZLE4 ,WE'VE
_H TWO TRIES AT HM2 B _H NO LUCK1 & ,JIM
,C>NAWAY LO/ 8 LIFE OV] X4 ,N[ X'S    
= Y 6TAKE X OV]4 ,T'S ! H\SE- ALL AL"O AT
! ,IRON ,DIKE CROSSROAD1 SAME Z Y SEE "H
ON ! MAP- )\T ANO!R )9 E>%OT4 ,X'S NO GD
0"D4 ,HE'S >M$ & %OOTS QK & /RAI<T1 ) NO
"QS ASK$4 ,B AT NI<T- WELL1 "! HE IS ) 8
WIFE1 ?REE *N1 &A HIR$ HELP4 ,Y C'T PICK
OR *OOSE4 ,X'S ALL OR N"O4 ,IF Y CD GET A
BAG ( BLA/+ P[D] AT ! FRONT DOOR )A SL[
MAT* 6X-0

  8,:AT'S ! MAN D"O80

  8,DIDN'T ,I TELL Y HE %OT ,JIM
,C>NAWAY80

  8,:Y DID HE %OOT HM80

  8,:AT 9 ?"U HAS T 6D ) Y8 ,C>NAWAY 0 AB
8 H\SE AT NI<T & HE %OT HM4 ,T'S 5 = ME &
Y4 ,Y'VE GOT 6SETTLE ! ?+ "R40

  8,"!'S ^! TWO WOM5 &! *N4 ,D !Y G UP
TOO80

  8,!Y H TO- ELSE H[ C WE GET HM80

  8,X SEEMS H>D ON !M2 = !Y'VE D"O NO?+40

  8,:AT SORT ( FOOL'S TALK IS ?8 ,D Y BACK
\80

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SD OR D"O T Y %D ?9K ,I WD 2 AF /&+ BACK F
AN ORD] (! ,BODYMA/] ( MY [N LODGE8   
,IF X'S "R OR IF X'S WR;G1 X'S = Y
6DECIDE40

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  8,( C\RSE ,I W D X40

  8,WELL1 Y _H BE/ GIVE ME A NI<T OR TWO T
,I MAY SEE ! H\SE & MAKE MY PLANS4 ,!N-0

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L1VE X ) Y4 ,X W 2 A GRT "D :5 Y BR+ U !
NEWS4 ,X'S J ! LA/ /ROKE T W BR+ !M ALL
6_! KNEES40

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: _H BE5 S SU45LY PLAC$ 9 8 H&S4 ,!
ISOLAT$ H\SE 9 : ,*E/] ,WILCOX LIV$ 0 AB
FIVE MILES (F 9 AN ADJAC5T VALLEY4 ,T V
NI<T HE />T$ (F ALL AL"O 6PREP>E =!
ATTEMPT4 ,X 0 "DLI<T 2F HE RETURN$ F 8
RECONNAISS.E4 ,NEXT "D HE 9T]VIEW$ 8 TWO
SUBORD9ATES1 ,M&]S & ,REILLY1 RECK.S "Y/]S
:O 7 Z ELAT$ Z IF X 7 A DE]-HUNT4

  ,TWO NI<TS LAT] !Y MET \TSIDE ! T[N1 ALL
?REE >M$1 & "O ( !M C>RY+ A SACK /U6$ )!
P[D] : 0 US$ 9 ! QU>RIES4 ,X 0 TWO 9 !
MORN+ 2F !Y CAME 6! L"OLY H\SE4 ,! NI<T 0
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!M4

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B ALL 0 / )94 ,!N HE L1N$ ! P[D] BAG AG/
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BLOOD/A9$ ANNALS (! SOCIETY4

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QU>T]S1 ": A GU>D ( POLICE %D WAT* OV] !M4
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GUNP[D]1 &! GRIM OLD COL\R S]G1NT (! W> 0
/ T1*+ 4CIPL9E 6! M9]S ( ,IRON ,DIKE4

  8,L1VE HM 6ME10 SD ,MC,MURDO4       
8,HE'S MY MAN1 & ,I'LL GET HM SURE IF ,I H
6WAIT A YE> = HM40

  ,A VOTE ( ?ANKS & 3FID;E 0 PASS$ 9 FULL
LODGE1 & S =! "T ! MATT] 5D$4 ,:5 A FEW
WEEKS LAT] X 0 REPORT$ 9 ! PAP]S T ,WILCOX
_H BE5 %OT AT F AN AMBUSCADE1 X 0 AN OP5
SECRET T ,MC,MURDO 0 / AT "W ^U 8 UNF9I%$
JOB4

  ,S* 7 ! ME?ODS (! ,SOCIETY ( ,FREEM51 &
S* 7 ! DE$S (! ,SC[R]S 0: !Y SPR1D _! RULE
( FE> OV] ! GRT & RI* 4TRICT : 0 = S L;G A
P]IOD HAUNT$ 0_! T]RI# PRES;E4 ,:Y %D ^!
PAGES 2 /A9$ 0FUR!R CRIMES8 ,H ,I N SD 5
6%[ ! M5 & _! ME?ODS8

  ,^! DE$S >E WRITT5 9 HI/ORY1 & "! >E
RECORDS ":9 "O MAY R1D ! DETAILS ( !M4 ,"!
"O MAY LE>N (! %OOT+ ( ,POLICEM5 ,HUNT &
,EVANS 2C !Y _H V5TUR$ 6>RE/ TWO MEMB]S (!
SOCIETY- A D\# \TRAGE PLANN$ AT ! ,V]MISSA
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,MRS4 ,L>BEY :5 %E 0 NURS+ H] HUSB&1 :O _H
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,! KILL+ (! ELD] ,J5K9S1 %ORTLY FOLL[$ 0T
( 8 BRO!R1 ! MUTIL,N ( ,JAMES         
,MURDO*1 ! BL[+ UP (! ,/APH\SE FAMILY1 &!
MURD] (! ,/5DALS ALL FOLL[$ H>D ^U "O
ANO!R 9 ! SAME T]RI# W9T]4

  ,D>KLY ! %AD[ LAY ^U ! ,VALLEY ( ,FE>4
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TREES4 ,"! 0 HOPE = ALL ,NATURE B.D S L;G
9 AN IRON GRIP2 B NO": 0 "! ANY HOPE =! M5
& WOM5 :O LIV$ "U ! YOKE (! T]ROR4 ,N"E _H
! CL\D ABV !M BE5 S D>K & HOPE.S Z 9 !
E>LY SUMM] (! YE> #AHGE4