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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
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  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
  206. •   •   •

The doctor and I gave one another pained looks, but without my sister we were out of things to talk about, so I pleaded exhaustion and asked him to see himself out. It was better that way. I would’ve only accused him, and been cross with him . . . for doing what he thought was best for us. But he shouldn’t have done it anyway, damn him.

He should’ve left it up to me.

Owen Seabury, M.D.

APRIL 29, 1894

The condition of Nance O’Neil is little changed as far as I can tell.

We keep watching her for signs of improvement, but all I see are signs of fever and delirium, and a grown woman who must be managed like a babe. Her hostess cares for her accordingly. Dutifully. Lovingly, I might suggest, but I’ll suggest nothing further. It’s no business of mine.

Speaking of cases—Inspector Wolf has retired to Boston, or to somewhere else; I’m not sure. He took his leave, at any rate, with a vow to remain in strict correspondence through telegrams, as necessary. He wishes to summon a force from his home district, or at least rouse a few curious, courageous men to keep watch over the house where the women reside. There’s really no telling who would show up, should he provide such protection. I still don’t even know what kind of inspector he really is.

And anyway, how he’ll manage all of this without undoing Emma’s carefully constructed alias, I do not know. He promised to try, and I must trust him to do his best. He’s a man of principle—I’m confident enough to declare that much.

But if any men can be persuaded to come, what bizarre misfortune will await them? Will they see any of the creatures? Engage them? Fight them? Or will these poor fellows fall prey to them, or to the sickness which must (I will henceforth assume) accompany their presence? Should we issue them all axes when they arrive on the property, with vague instructions like “Keep these close, and you’ll know when to use them”?

Maplecroft will have much explaining to do, and precious little credibility to stand upon while doing so. It is a precarious position in which these women live, and I wish I could be more help to them both. To all three, now that Nance is tied up in the situation—as completely as I am, if not more so.

I think, though the ladies resist the idea, that having a protective guard outside would be a good thing for everyone. If this professor is coming, with bizarre murders on his mind, then at least they would have some first line of defense. Other than me, that is. For it’s not as if I can simply move in, and camp out in a spare bedroom.

Or is it? I’m not sure.