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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
  7. •   •   •
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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
  27. •   •   •
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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. •   •   •
  70. •   •   •
  71. Nance O’Neil
  72. •   •   •
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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
  103. •   •   •
  104. Gerald Macintyre, Telegraph Clerk, Western Union
  105. Owen Seabury, M.D.
  106. •   •   •
  107. Physalia, Z. University I Was Not Now
  108. •   •   •
  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. •   •   •

Most of the time, I can work without thinking about them. Most of the time, I am only aware of them as a very dull hum somewhere beneath the pile of buckets, horseshoes, fireplace implements, railroad spikes, part of an old bed frame, several skillets, a pie pan, and whatever else Lizzie was able to scare up. (My only contribution was part of a decorative garden trellis and a shovel head.)

It’s nice to have this laboratory, even if it’s haunted, and even if it isn’t mine. It’s good to have a clean, quiet place to work, and all the necessary components to see a job through.

I gave Nance a dose of the globulin sample the day I received it, and noted no change. I gave her another dose yesterday, and will give her a third today—which will exhaust the supply that Christoff sent. It would’ve lasted longer, had I not already taken the step of inoculating myself, Lizzie, and Emma. I didn’t tell them that this was all we had, because I knew Lizzie would fight to keep every drop for Nance. But I wanted to make sure we all had a chance at protection. Frankly, it’s likely to be more use to us than her.

As for the live bacteria, I’m busy culturing it, trying to bolster the supply. I think we might need more—if my theory holds up, that is. If it doesn’t, we’re all damned regardless.

But if it does, we might stand a chance against the darkness.

•   •   •

Next, I will try the toxoid on Nance.

I have a feeling that if anything is likely to produce a strong response, the dead and treated bacteria will be more likely to prompt it than the serum, which has previously developed antibodies that have reacted to the bacteria. The toxoid should force her to create her own antibodies, or that’s what I’d like to see.

If that makes any sense.

I am throwing darts at a wall, and I’m running out of darts.

•   •   •

I told Lizzie about my plan to give Nance the toxoid, and she balked at the prospect. I’m not sure why; at this point the girl will either live or die, and if we do nothing, the outcome is guaranteed so far as I’m concerned. Why not apply the potential remedies at our disposal, in case we might get lucky?

“But you’ve given her the other doses already, and she hasn’t responded.”

“She’s not responded much,” I admitted. “But some, I think. Her fever is down from yesterday, and her breathing appears more normal to me.”

“Do you think?”

“I do,” I assured her.