Chapters (206)
- Praise for Maplecroft
- Title page
- Copyright page
- Contents
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- THESE ARE THE THINGS AN EARTHQUAKE BRINGS
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- A DOCTOR, A LAWYER, A MERCHANT, A CHIEF
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- Phillip Zollicoffer, Professor of Biology, Miskatonic University
- Lizzie Andrew Borden
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- BE SURE YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT
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- I CROSS THE MAGPIE, THE MAGPIE CROSSES ME
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- Nance O’Neil
- THIS KNOT I KNIT, THIS KNOT I TIE
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- AND IF YOU HAVE A HORSE WITH ONE WHITE LEG . . .
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- THE WORST IS TO BE JUDGED WITHOUT HOPE
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- Lizzie Andrew Borden
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- BUT NETTLE SHANT HAVE NOTHING
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- CUT THEM ON FRIDAY, YOU CUT THEM FOR SORROW
- Phillip Zollicoffer, Professor of Biology, Miskatonic University
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- HAPPY IS THE CORPSE THAT THE RAIN SHINES ON
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- A DWELLING PLACE OF JACKALS, THE DESOLATION FOREVER
- Lizzie Andrew Borden
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- Nance O’Neil
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- Emma L. Borden
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- Owen Seabury, M.D.
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- Lizzie Andrew Borden
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- RIGHT CHEEK, LEFT CHEEK—WHY DO YOU BURN?
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- Aaron B. Stewart, Fire Chief, Farthington, Mass.
- Emma L. Borden
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- Gerald Macintyre, Telegraph Clerk, Western Union
- Owen Seabury, M.D.
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- Physalia, Z. University I Was Not Now
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- DEPART, ALL ANIMALS WITHOUT BONES
- Emma L. Borden
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- Owen Seabury, M.D.
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- Lizzie Andrew Borden
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- Owen Seabury, M.D.
- Phillip Zollicoffer. Physalia Zollicoffris.
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- Christoff Dane, M.D., Ph.D., University of Rhode Island, Kingston
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- Emma L. Borden
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- Owen Seabury, M.D.
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- Emma L. Borden
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- FAMILY SLAIN IN MAYFIELD
- Owen Seabury, M.D.
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- Lizzie Andrew Borden
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- Emma L. Borden
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- Owen Seabury, M.D.
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- Lizzie Andrew Borden
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- Inspector Simon Wolf
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From a practical standpoint, it was almost too much to hope for. Emma was helpful in her way, of course, but her condition prevented her from any firsthand investigation by my side; and her relation to me kept her from participating in the community, where the very best information was likely to be gleaned. Doctor Seabury, on the other hand, had no such difficulties—and he was an educated, informed, respected man whose profession gained him access to even the most closely guarded secrets.
But Nance didn’t need to hear any of this.
“Lizbeth . . .” She nearly whined. The look I flashed in return suggested she should take a different approach. She did so, trying to mirror my lightness, the casualness of my dismissal. “So now we’re keeping things from one another? Such as what?”
But just this once, I was the better actress between the two of us.
I didn’t want to fight. I only wanted to distract her, and I knew precisely how to do so. “Such as . . . how the greens I ordered from McKamey’s disagreed with me terribly, or how my eyes water at garlic, besides onions. And how my knees grow weak whenever you’re present, my love.”
“You’ve told me that one already,” she replied sulkily, but it wasn’t a pure sulk. A little flattery goes a long way with her, and I’m not above it.
“I’ll likely say it again, at some point during your visit.” I took her hands and gave her a quick kiss, an act which required me to stand on my tiptoes. “Now, how is Emma? Is she settled comfortably?”
“Took her own sweet time about getting that way, but yes, she’s fine.”
“You must be patient. Depending on the weather and her lungs, she finds it difficult to move as swiftly as you or I.”
“I still can’t imagine why she asked my help. You’re the patient one,” she said with a sigh.
A hasty lie sprang to mind, and I liked it, so I let it past my lips. “I suggested it. I thought you two ought to spend some time together once in a while. I truly believe that with a better acquaintance, you could become great friends.”
“I don’t know . . . ,” she said dubiously. “We’re terribly different.”
“But you have some terribly wonderful things in common.”
“Just you,” she said with a wink. Then she took me by the hand and lured me back into the kitchen, and I thought I was in for a round of tea or perhaps something more engaging . . . and then I realized that I was wrong.
“Lizbeth, your sister is out of the way for now, and the doctor is gone . . . so there should be no visitors.” Nance leaned against the cellar door, bouncing coquettishly against it with her bottom. “Why don’t you show me what’s downstairs? There’s privacy and darkness, and just you . . . and me.”