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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
  30. •   •   •
  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
  57. •   •   •
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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
  69. •   •   •
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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.
  106. •   •   •
  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
  206. •   •   •

“Not half so quiet as an axe,” he observed. “A wise course of action, considering.”

“Well, you know . . . we wouldn’t want to wake the neighbors. So if you ever hear gunshots at Maplecroft, you may assume that the end is nigh indeed. I always leave the guns with Emma,” I added, though I wasn’t sure why I was telling him this. It was true, but felt almost too personal to share. I shared it anyway. “That’s what I mean. If there’s shooting, it means they’re finished with me and they’re coming for her.”

This grim note gave us pause, but only for a moment. “Let’s not borrow trouble,” he gently urged. “Instead, let’s consider the possibilities. I say we should absolutely write down the axe and its attendant properties as part of the tetanus pattern, although . . .” His voice trailed off.

“Although?”

“It begs the question of whether the creatures are infected with the bacterium, or simply susceptible it. They do seem to . . . Hm.”

“Please stop doing that. Think aloud, I beg you. I’m a terrible mind reader.”

“My apologies. I was only considering that if the creatures suffer from some form of tetanus already, it seems unlikely that an added blow with a contaminated weapon would make the matter worse. Or perhaps it would.” He sighed, and closed the book. “It’s as I said—the pattern is far from perfect.”

“But it might be worth something, after all.” I pushed, a new idea working its insidious way into my mind. “What sort of treatments might one use to combat tetanus? I’m afraid this isn’t my area of expertise.”

“Ah, well. There are some fascinating studies on the subject overseas, with talks of vaccine prophylactics and antibody treatments.”

“Is there any chance we could . . . I don’t know, create these antibodies ourselves? Or import some from elsewhere? A hospital or . . . or a university, perhaps?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Do you think there’s any chance they may have some positive effect on Nance?”

“I have no idea. Speaking of, how is she doing?”

“No better.”

He made encouraging noises that didn’t do anything but annoy me, bless him. “Stick with her, Lizbeth. Keep trying, keep watching. I’ll do my best to procure some of the necessary antibodies, and we’ll try that approach. It can’t hurt, and might help.”

I asked, “Are you sure?”

“Of which point?” he countered. “Nothing’s certain, and I won’t insult you by suggesting otherwise.”