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Chapters (206)
  1. Praise for Maplecroft
  2. Title page
  3. Copyright page
  4. Contents
  5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  6. THESE ARE THE THINGS AN EARTHQUAKE BRINGS
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  12. A DOCTOR, A LAWYER, A MERCHANT, A CHIEF
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  20. Phillip Zollicoffer, Professor of Biology, Miskatonic University
  21. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  26. BE SURE YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT
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  29. I CROSS THE MAGPIE, THE MAGPIE CROSSES ME
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  31. Nance O’Neil
  32. THIS KNOT I KNIT, THIS KNOT I TIE
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  37. AND IF YOU HAVE A HORSE WITH ONE WHITE LEG . . .
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  43. THE WORST IS TO BE JUDGED WITHOUT HOPE
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  46. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  53. BUT NETTLE SHANT HAVE NOTHING
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  55. CUT THEM ON FRIDAY, YOU CUT THEM FOR SORROW
  56. Phillip Zollicoffer, Professor of Biology, Miskatonic University
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  62. HAPPY IS THE CORPSE THAT THE RAIN SHINES ON
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  67. A DWELLING PLACE OF JACKALS, THE DESOLATION FOREVER
  68. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  71. Nance O’Neil
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  84. Emma L. Borden
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  88. Owen Seabury, M.D.
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  91. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  93. RIGHT CHEEK, LEFT CHEEK—WHY DO YOU BURN?
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  101. Aaron B. Stewart, Fire Chief, Farthington, Mass.
  102. Emma L. Borden
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  104. Gerald Macintyre, Telegraph Clerk, Western Union
  105. Owen Seabury, M.D.
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  107. Physalia, Z. University I Was Not Now
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  109. DEPART, ALL ANIMALS WITHOUT BONES
  110. Emma L. Borden
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  115. Owen Seabury, M.D.
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  119. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  130. Owen Seabury, M.D.
  131. Phillip Zollicoffer. Physalia Zollicoffris.
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  137. Christoff Dane, M.D., Ph.D., University of Rhode Island, Kingston
  138. •   •   •
  139. Emma L. Borden
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  144. Owen Seabury, M.D.
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  150. Emma L. Borden
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  153. FAMILY SLAIN IN MAYFIELD
  154. Owen Seabury, M.D.
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  165. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  176. Emma L. Borden
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  186. Owen Seabury, M.D.
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  197. Lizzie Andrew Borden
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  205. Inspector Simon Wolf
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“It must be more than I’ve accumulated,” I admitted. “I’ve only been aware of the affliction for these last few weeks, and I haven’t done a very good job of understanding it. I suspect I’ve failed in ways I’ve not yet imagined.”

We sat together in silence, me on the edge of a table and her still on the floor, where the cooker vibrated and hummed beneath her. Finally she said, “It’s awful, knowing just enough to know how bad this is.”

“And yet not knowing how bad it might get. Or how to fix it.”

“That’s the worst part, yes. But I pray—in case that means anything—I pray that you and I can work together, and you’ll help me with this. I’ve shouldered it alone, and I cannot bear it much further. I’m at the end of my reach, and I don’t know what else to try. Who else to ask. How else I might proceed. You’ve always been so kind to us, and I’ve appreciated it more than you know. Even the little things, the acts of politeness, they’ve meant the world . . . and now, I hope you don’t mind my saying so, but you give me . . . well . . . you give me hope.”

I was touched. “I’m honored that you would take me into your confidence. And left to my own devices, I do not pray; but I verily hope that I prove myself worthy of your trust.”

She smiled. It was a feeble smile, but a genuine one, I think. “Thank you, sir. And now, if you’ll excuse me briefly, I’ll check on my sister and Nance. Feel free to look around the laboratory, though I’d caution you to avoid the box in the floor beside the cooker.”

“The sea glass baubles?”

“Yes. You hear them?”

“I do. But now I know the call for what it is, and I can resist it, I think.”

I should’ve said it with more confidence. She watched me for a few long seconds, and then said, “Then perhaps you’d better stay with me. Please join me upstairs, and then when all’s secure, and everyone’s as well as we can manage . . . I’ll show you around the laboratory. I’ll open my notes and my research books to you, and maybe you’ll see something I’ve missed.”

“I will be fine unsupervised,” I promised her, but I knew I’d said it too quickly. I felt it even as I heard the humming, purring, warm, wet sound . . . I didn’t hear it with my ears, but with my soul. And it frightened me.

“All the same . . . ,” she said. She collected herself, and rose from the floor. “Until you have a better grasp on what we’re dealing with here, I’d appreciate your immediate proximity.”

I did as she asked. She was the expert, after all.