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THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME JULIAQUINN

Contents Begin Reading About t e Aut o! Co"#!ig t About t e $ub%is e!

Ma# &'() *ate sto+"ed a,!oss t e %a-n. g%an,ing o/e! e! s ou%de! to +a0e su!e t at e! usband -as not 1o%%o-ing e!2 3i1teen #ea!s o1 +a!!iage ad taug t e! a t ing o! t-o. and s e 0ne- t at e -ou%d be -at, ing e! e/e!# +o/e2 But s e -as ,%e/e!2 And s e -as dete!+ined2 And s e 0ne- t at 1o! a "ound. Ant on#4s /a%et ,ou%d 1eign t e +ost +a!/e%ous sa!to!ia% disaste!2 So+et ing in/o%/ing 5a+ on t e i!on. o! "e! a"s an in1estation in t e -a!d!obe6s"ide!s. +i,e. it !ea%%# didn4t +atte! - i, 6*ate -as +o!e t an a""# to %ea/e t e detai%s u" to t e /a%et as %ong as Ant on# -as suitab%# dist!a,ted %ong enoug 1o! e! to +a0e e! es,a"e2 7It is +ine. a%% +ine.8 s e , o!t%ed. in +u, t e sa+e tones s e4d used du!ing t e "!e/ious +ont 4s B!idge!ton 1a+i%# "!odu,tion o1Ma,bet 2 He! e%dest son ad ,asted t e !o%es9 s e ad been na+ed 3i!st Wit, 2 *ate ad "!etended not to noti,e - en Ant on# ad !e-a!ded i+ -it a ne- o!se2 He! usband -ou%d "a# no-2 His s i!ts -ou%d be stained "in0 -it !as"be!!# 5a+. and s e6 S e -as s+i%ing so a!d s e -as %aug ing2

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7Mine +ine +ine+iiiiiiiiiiiine .8 s e sang. -!en, ing o"en t e doo! to t e s ed on t e %ast s#%%ab%e. - i, 5ust so a""ened to be t e dee". se!ious note o1 Beet o/en4s 3i1t S#+" on#2 7Mine +ine +ine+iiiiiiiiiine 28 S e -ou%d a/e it2 It -as e!s2 S e ,ou%d "!a,ti,a%%# taste it2 S e -ou%d a/e tasted it. e/en. i1 "ossib%e. -ou%d so+e o- a/e bonded it to e! side2 S e ad no taste 1o! -ood. o1 ,ou!se. but t is -as no o!dina!# i+"%e+ent o1 dest!u,tion2 T is -as: T e +a%%et o1 deat 2 7Mine +ine +ine+ine +ine +ine +ine+ine +ine +ine +ine+iiiiiiiiiine .8 s e ,ontinued. +o/ing into t e o""# %itt%e se,tion t at 1o%%o-ed t e 1a+i%ia! Beet o/en !e1!ain2 S e ,ou%d ba!e%# ,ontain e!se%1 as s e tossed a b%an0et aside2 T e $a%% Ma%% set -ou%d be !esting in t e ,o!ne!. as it a%-a#s -as. and in 5ust a +o+ent6 7Loo0ing 1o! t is;8 *ate - i!%ed a!ound2 T e!e -as Ant on#. standing in t e doo!-a#. s+i%ing diabo%i,a%%# as e s"un t e b%a,0 $a%% Ma%% +a%%et in is ands2 His s i!t -as b%inding%# - ite2 7<ou:<ou:8 One o1 is b!o-s %i1ted dange!ous%#2 7<ou ne/e! -e!e te!!ib%# s0i%%ed at /o,abu%a!# !et!ie/a% - en ,!ossed28 7Ho- did #ou:Ho- did #ou:;8 He %eaned 1o!-a!d. is e#es na!!o-ing2 7I "aid i+1i/e "ounds28 7<ou ga/e Mi%ton 1i/e "ounds;8 =ood Lo!d. t at -as "!a,ti,a%%# is annua% sa%a!#2 7It4s a deu,ed sig t , ea"e! t an !e"%a,ing a%% o1 +# s i!ts.8 e said -it a s,o-%2 7Ras"be!!# 5a+2 Rea%%#2 Ha/e #ou no t oug t to-a!d e,ono+ies;8 *ate sta!ed %onging%# at t e +a%%et2 7=a+e4s in t !ee da#s.8 Ant on# said -it a "%eased sig . 7and I a/e a%!ead# -on28 *ate didn4t ,ont!adi,t i+2 T e ot e! B!idge!tons +ig t t in0 t e annua% $a%% Ma%% !e+at, began and ended in a da#. but s e and Ant on# 0ne- bette!2

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

S e4d beaten i+ to t e +a%%et 1o! t !ee #ea!s !unning2 S e -as da+ned i1 e -as going to get t e bette! o1 e! t is ti+e2 7=i/e u" no-. dea! -i1e.8 Ant on# taunted2 7Ad+it de1eat. and -e s a%% a%% be a""ie!28 *ate sig ed so1t%#. a%+ost as i1 s e a,>uies,ed2 Ant on#4s e#es na!!o-ed2 *ate id%# tou, ed e! 1inge!s to t e ne,0%ine o1 e! d!ess2 Ant on#4s e#es -idened2 7It4s ot in e!e. don4t #ou t in0;8 s e as0ed. e! /oi,e so1t. and s-eet. and te!!ib%# b!eat %ess2 7<ou %itt%e +in?.8 e +u!+u!ed2 S e s%id t e 1ab!i, 1!o+ e! s ou%de!s2 S e -asn4t -ea!ing an#t ing unde!neat 2 7No buttons;8 e - is"e!ed2 S e s oo0 e! ead2 S e -asn4t stu"id2 E/en t e best %aid "%ans ,ou%d 1ind t ei! -a# a-!#2 One a%-a#s ad to d!ess 1o! t e o,,asion2 T e!e -as sti%% a s%ig t , i%% in t e ai!. and s e 1e%t e! ni""%es tig ten into insu%ted %itt%e buds2 *ate s i/e!ed. t en t!ied to ide it -it a b!eat # "ant. as i1 s e -e!e des"e!ate%# a!oused2 W i, s e +ig t a/e been. ad s e not been sing%e@+inded%# 1o,used on t!#ingnot to 1o,us on t e +a%%et in e! usband4s and2 Not to +ention t e , i%%2 7Lo/e%#.8 Ant on# +u!+u!ed. !ea, ing out and st!o0ing t e side o1 e! b!east2 *ate +ade a +e-%ing sound2 He ,ou%d ne/e! !esist t at2 Ant on# s+i%ed s%o-%#. t en +o/ed is and 1o!-a!d. unti% e ,ou%d !o%% e! ni""%e bet-een is 1inge!s2 *ate %et out a gas". and e! e#es 1%e- to is2 He %oo0ed6not ,a%,u%ating e?a,t%#. but sti%%. /e!# +u, in ,ont!o%2 And it o,,u!!ed to e!6 e 0ne- "!e,ise%# - ats e ,ou%d ne/e! !esist2

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7A . -i1e.8 e +u!+u!ed. ,u""ing e! b!east 1!o+ t e botto+. and %i1ting it ig e! unti% it sat "%u+" in is and2 He s+i%ed2 *ate sto""ed b!eat ing2 He bent 1o!-a!d and too0 t e bud in is +out 2 7O A8S e -asn4t 1a0ing an#t ing no-2 He !e"eated is to!tu!e on t e ot e! side2 T en e ste""ed ba,02 Ba,02 *ate stood sti%%. "anting2 7A . to a/e a "ainting o1 t is.8 e said2 7I -ou%d ang it in +# o11i,e28 *ate4s +out 1e%% o"en2 He e%d u" t e +a%%et in t!iu+" 2 7=oodb#e. dea! -i1e28 He e?ited t e s ed. t en "o0ed is ead ba,0 4!ound t e ,o!ne!2 7T!# not to ,at, a , i%%2 <ou4d ate to +iss t e !e+at, . -ou%dn4t #ou;8 He -as %u,0#. *ate %ate! !e1%e,ted. t at s e adn4t t oug t to g!ab one o1 t e $a%% Ma%% ba%%s - en s e4d been !u++aging 1o! t e set2 A%t oug on se,ond t oug t. is ead -as "!obab%# 1a! too a!d 1o! e! to a/e +ade a dent2 T e 1o%%o-ing da# T e!e -e!e 1e- +o+ents. Ant on# de,ided. >uite so de%i,ious as t e utte! and ,o+"%ete besting o1 one4s -i1e2 It de"ended u"on t e -i1e. o1 ,ou!se. but as e ad , osen to -ed a -o+an o1 su"e!b inte%%e,t and -it. is +o+ents. e -as su!e. -e!e +o!e de%i,ious t an +ost2 He sa/o!ed t is o/e! tea in is o11i,e. sig ing -it "%easu!e as e gaBed u"on t e b%a,0 +a%%et. - i, %a# a,!oss is des0 %i0e a "!iBed t!o" #2 It %oo0ed go!geous. g%ea+ing in t e +o!ning %ig t6o! at %east g%ea+ing - e!e it -asn4t s,u11ed and batte!ed 1!o+ de,ades o1 !oug "%a#2 No +atte!2 Ant on# %o/ed e/e!# %ast dent and s,!at, 2 $e! a"s it -as , i%dis . in1anti%e e/en. but eado!ed it2

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

Most%# e ado!ed t at e ad it in is "ossession. but e -as sti%% !at e! 1ond o1 it2 W en e -as ab%e to 1o!get t at e ad b!i%%iant%# snat, ed it 1!o+ unde! *ate4s nose. e a,tua%%# !e,a%%ed t at it +a!0ed so+et ing e%se6 T e da# e4d 1a%%en in %o/e2 Not t at e4d !ea%iBed it at t e ti+e2 No! ad *ate. e i+agined. but e -as ,e!tain t at t at -as t e da# t e# ad been 1ated to be toget e!6t e da# o1 t e in1a+ous $a%% Ma%% +at, 2 S e ad %e1t i+ -it t e "in0 +a%%et2 S e ad sent is ba%% into t e %a0e2 =od. - at a -o+an2 It ad been a +ost e?,e%%ent 1i1teen #ea!s2 He s+i%ed ,ontented%#. t en %et is gaBe d!o" to t e b%a,0 +a%%et again2 E/e!# #ea! t e# !e"%a#ed t e +at, 2 A%% o1 t e o!igina% "%a#e!s6Ant on#. *ate. is b!ot e! Co%in. is siste! Da" ne and e! usband Si+on. and *ate4s siste! Ed-ina6t e# a%% t!oo"ed duti1u%%# to Aub!e# Ha%% ea, s"!ing and too0 u" t ei! "%a,es on t e e/e!@s i1ting ,ou!se2 So+e ag!eed to attend -it Bea% and so+e -it +e!e a+use+ent. but t e# -e!e a%% t e!e. e/e!# #ea!2 And t is #ea!6 Ant on# , o!t%ed -it g%ee2 He ad t e +a%%et and *ate did not2 Li1e -as good2 Li1e -as /e!#. /e!# good2 T e da# a1te! t at 7*aaaaaaaaaaateA8 *ate %oo0ed u" 1!o+ e! boo02 7*aaaaaaaaaaateA8 S e t!ied to gauge is distan,e2 A1te! 1i1teen #ea!s o1 ea!ing e! na+e be%%o-ed in +u, t e sa+e 1as ion. s e4d be,o+e >uite "!o1i,ient at ,a%,u%ating t e ti+e bet-een t e 1i!st !oa! and e! usband4s a""ea!an,e2 It -as not as st!aig t1o!-a!d a ,a%,u%ation as it +ig t see+2 T e!e -as e! %o,ation to ,onside!6-as s e u"stai!s o! do-n. /isib%e 1!o+ t e doo!-a#. et ,ete!a. et ,ete!a2 T en one ad to add in t e , i%d!en2 We!e t e# at o+e; $ossib%# in is -a#; T e# -ou%d s%o- i+ do-n. ,e!tain%#. "e! a"s e/en b# a 1u%% +inute. and6

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7<ouA8 *ate b%in0ed -it su!"!ise2 Ant on# -as in t e doo!-a#. "anting -it e?e!tion and g%a!ing at e! -it a su!"!ising deg!ee o1 /eno+2 7W e!e is it;8 e de+anded2 We%%. "e! a"s not so su!"!ising2 S e b%in0ed i+"assi/e%#2 7Wou%d #ou %i0e to sit do-n;8 s e in>ui!ed2 7<ou %oo0 so+e- at o/e!e?e!ted28 7*ate:8 7<ou4!e not as #oung as #ou used to be.8 s e said -it a sig 2 7*ate:8 T e /o%u+e -as !ising2 7I ,an !ing 1o! tea.8 s e said s-eet%#2 7It -as %o,0ed.8 e g!o-%ed2 7M# o11i,e -as %o,0ed28 7Was it;8 s e +u!+u!ed2 7I a/e t e on%# 0e#28 7Do #ou;8 His e#es -idened2 7W at a/e #ou done;8 S e 1%i""ed a "age. e/en t oug s e -asn4t %oo0ing at t e "!int2 7W en;8 7W at do #ou +ean. - en;8 7I +ean68 S e "aused. be,ause t is -as not a +o+ent to %et "ass -it out "!o"e! inte!na% ,e%eb!ation2 7W en2 T is +o!ning; O! %ast +ont ;8 It too0 i+ a +o+ent2 No +o!e t an a se,ond o! t-o. but it -as 5ust %ong enoug 1o! *ate to -at, is e?"!ession s%ide 1!o+ ,on1usion to sus"i,ion to out!age2 It -as g%o!ious2 En, anting2 De%i,ious2 S e4d a/e ,a,0%ed -it it. but t at -ou%d on%# en,ou!age anot e! +ont o1 7Doub%e. doub%e toi% and t!oub%e8 5o0es. and s e4d on%# 5ust got i+ to ,ease2 7<ou +ade a 0e# to +# o11i,e;8

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7I a+ #ou! -i1e.8 s e said. g%an,ing at e! 1inge!nai%s2 7T e!e s ou%d be no se,!ets bet-een us. don4t #ou t in0;8 7<ou +ade a 0e#;8 7<ou -ou%dn4t -is 1o! +e to 0ee" se,!ets. -ou%d #ou;8 His 1inge!s g!i""ed t e doo!1!a+e unti% is 0nu,0%es tu!ned - ite2 7Sto" %oo0ing %i0e #ou4!e en5o#ing t is.8 e g!ound out2 7A . but t at -ou%d be a %ie. and it4s a sin to %ie to one4s usband28 St!ange , o0ing sounds began to e+anate 1!o+ is t !oat2 *ate s+i%ed2 7Didn4t I "%edge onest# at so+e "oint;8 7T at -asobedien,e .8 e g!o-%ed2 7Obedien,e; Su!e%# not28 7W e!e is it;8 S e s !ugged2 7Not te%%ing28 7*ateA8 S e s%id into a singsong2 7Notte%%%%%%%%%ing 28 7Wo+an:8 He +o/ed 1o!-a!d2 Dange!ous%#2 *ate s-a%%o-ed2 T e!e -as a s+a%%. !at e! tin#. a,tua%%#. but nonet e%ess /e!# !ea% , an,e t at s e +ig t a/e gone 5ust a -ee bit too 1a!2 7I -i%% tie #ou to t e bed.8 e -a!ned2 7<eeeessss.8 s e said. a,0no-%edging is "oint as s e gauged t e distan,e to t e doo!2 7But I +ig t not+ind it "!e,ise%#28 His e#es 1%a!ed. not >uite -it desi!e6 e -as sti%% too 1o,used on t e $a%% Ma%% +a%%et 1o! t at6but s e !at e! t oug t s e sa- a 1%as o1:inte!estt e!e2 7Tie #ou u". #ou sa#.8 e +u!+u!ed. +o/ing 1o!-a!d. 7and #ou4d %i0e it. e ;8 *ate ,aug t is +eaning and gas"ed2 7<ou -ou%dn4tA8

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7O . I -ou%d28 He -as ai+ing 1o! a !e"eat "e!1o!+an,e2 He -as going to tie e! u" and%ea/e e! t e!e - i%e e sea!, ed 1o! t e +a%%et2 Not i1 s e ad an#t ing to sa# about it2 *ate s,!a+b%ed o/e! t e a!+ o1 e! , ai! and t en s,ooted be ind it2 A%-a#s good to a/e a " #si,a% ba!!ie! in situations %i0e t ese2 7O . *aaaaate.8 e taunted. +o/ing to-a!d e!2 7It4s +ine.8 s e de,%a!ed2 7It -as +ine 1i1teen #ea!s ago. and it4s sti%% +ine28 7It -as +ine be1o!e it -as #ou!s28 7But #ou +a!!ied +eA8 7And t is +a0es it #ou!s;8 S e said not ing. 5ust %o,0ed e! e#es -it t e !us o1 t e +o+ent2 is2 S e -as b!eat %ess. "anting. ,aug t u" in

And t en. 1ast as %ig tning. e 5u+"ed 1o!-a!d. !ea, ing o/e! t e , ai!. ,at, ing o%d o1 e! s ou%de! 1o! a b!ie1 +o+ent be1o!e s e s>ui!+ed a-a#2 7<ou -i%% ne/e! 1ind it.8 s e "!a,ti,a%%# s !ie0ed. s,ooting be ind t e so1a2 7Don4t t in0 #ou4%% es,a"e no-.8 e -a!ned. doing a side-a#s so!t o1 +aneu/e! t at "ut i+ bet-een e! and t e doo!2 S e e#ed t e -indo-2 7T e 1a%% -ou%d 0i%% #ou.8 e said2 7O . 1o! t e %o/e o1 =od.8 ,a+e a /oi,e 1!o+ t e doo!-a#2 *ate and Ant on# tu!ned2 Ant on#4s b!ot e! Co%in -as standing t e!e. !ega!ding t e+ bot -it an ai! o1 disgust2 7Co%in.8 Ant on# said tig t%#2 7Ho- ni,e to see #ou28 Co%in +e!e%# >ui!0ed a b!o-2 7I su""ose #ou4!e %oo0ing 1o!t is 28 *ate gas"ed2 He -as o%ding t e b%a,0 +a%%et2 7Ho- did #ou68

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

Co%in st!o0ed t e b%unt. ,#%ind!i,a% end a%+ost %o/ing%#2 7I ,an on%# s"ea0 1o! +#se%1. o1 ,ou!se.8 e said -it a a""# sig . 7but as 1a! as I4+ ,on,e!ned. I4/e a%!ead# -on28 =a+e da# 7I 1ai% to ,o+"!e end.8 Ant on#4s siste! Da" ne !e+a!0ed. 7- # #ou get to set u" t e ,ou!se28 7Be,ause I b%ood# -e%% o-n t e %a-n.8 e bit o112 He e%d is and u" to s ie%d is e#es 1!o+ t e sun as e ins"e,ted is -o!02 He4d done a b!i%%iant 5ob t is ti+e. i1 e did sa# so i+se%12 It -as diabo%i,a%2 $u!e genius2 7An# , an,e #ou +ig t be ,a"ab%e o1 !e1!aining 1!o+ "!o1anit# in t e ,o+"an# o1 %adies;8 T is. 1!o+ Da" ne4s usband Si+on. t e Du0e o1 Hastings2 7S e4s no %ad#.8 Ant on# g!u+b%ed2 7S e4s +# siste!28 7S e4s+# -i1e28 Ant on# s+i!0ed2 7S e -as +# siste! 1i!st28 Si+on tu!ned to *ate. - o -as ta""ing e! +a%%et6g!een. - i, s e4d de,%a!ed e!se%1 a""# -it . but Ant on# 0ne- bette!6against t e g!ass2 7Ho-.8 e as0ed. 7do #ou to%e!ate i+;8 S e s !ugged2 7It4s a ta%ent 1e- "ossess28 Co%in ste""ed u". ,%ut, ing t e b%a,0 +a%%et %i0e t e Ho%# =!ai%2 7S a%% -e begin;8 e as0ed g!and%#2 Si+on4s %i"s "a!ted -it su!"!ise2 7T e +a%%et o1 deat ;8 7I4+ /e!# ,%e/e!.8 Co%in ,on1i!+ed2 7He b!ibed t e ouse+aid.8 *ate g!u+b%ed2 7<ou b!ibed +# /a%et.8 Ant on# "ointed out2 7So did #ouA8 7I b!ibed no one.8 Si+on said. to no one in "a!ti,u%a!2 Da" ne "atted is a!+ ,ondes,ending%#2 7<ou -e!e not bo!n to t is 1a+i%#28

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7Neit e! -as s e.8 e !etu!ned. +otioning to *ate2 Da" ne "onde!ed t at2 7S e is an abe!!ation.8 s e 1ina%%# ,on,%uded2 7An abe!!ation;8 *ate de+anded2 7It4s t e ig est o1 ,o+"%i+ents.8 Da" ne in1o!+ed e!2 S e "aused. t en added. 7In t is ,onte?t28 S e t en tu!ned to Co%in2 7Ho- +u, ;8 7Ho- +u, - at;8 7Ho- +u, did #ou gi/e t e ouse+aid;8 He s !ugged2 7Ten "ounds28 7Ten"ounds ;8 Da" ne nea!%# s !ie0ed2 7A!e #ou +ad;8 Ant on# de+anded2 7<ou ga/e t e /a%et 1i/e.8 *ate !e+inded i+2 7I o"e it -asn4t one o1 t egood ouse+aids.8 Ant on# g!u+b%ed. 71o! s e4%% su!e%# >uit b# t e da#4s end -it t at so!t o1 +one# in e! "o,0et28 7A%% o1 t e ouse+aids a!e good.8 *ate said. -it so+e i!!itation2 7Ten "ounds.8 Da" ne !e"eated. s a0ing e! ead2 7I4+ going to te%% #ou! -i1e28 7=o a ead.8 Co%in said indi11e!ent%# as e nodded to-a!d t e i%% s%o"ing do-n to t e $a%% Ma%% ,ou!se2 7S e4s !ig t t e!e28 Da" ne %oo0ed u"2 7$ene%o"e4s e!e;8 7$ene%o"e4s e!e;8 Ant on# ba!0ed2 7W #;8 7S e4s +# -i1e.8 Co%in !etu!ned2 7S e4s ne/e! attended be1o!e28 7S e -anted to see +e -in.8 Co%in s ot ba,0. !e-a!ding is b!ot e! -it a si,0%# st!et, o1 a s+i%e2 Ant on# !esisted t e u!ge to t !ott%e i+2 Ba!e%#2 7And o- do #ou 0no- #ou4!e going to -in;8 Co%in -a/ed t e b%a,0 +a%%et be1o!e i+2 7I a%!ead# a/e28

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7=ood da#. a%%.8 $ene%o"e said. a+b%ing do-n to t e gat e!ing2 7No , ee!ing.8 Ant on# -a!ned e!2 $ene%o"e b%in0ed in ,on1usion2 7I beg #ou! "a!don;8 7And unde! no ,i!,u+stan,es.8 e ,ontinued. be,ause !ea%%#. so+eone ad to +a0e su!e t e ga+e !etained so+e integ!it#. 7+a# #ou ,o+e -it in ten "a,es o1 #ou! usband28 $ene%o"e %oo0ed at Co%in. bobbed e! ead nine ti+es as s e esti+ated t e ste"s bet-een t e+. and too0 a ste" ba,02 7T e!e -i%% be no , eating.8 Ant on# -a!ned2 7At %east none- t#"es o1 , eating.8 Si+on added2 7$!e/ious%# estab%is ed , eating te, ni>ues a!e "e!+issib%e28 7Ma# I s"ea0 -it +# usband du!ing t e ,ou!se o1 "%a#;8 $ene%o"e in>ui!ed +i%d%#2 7NoA8 A !esounding , o!us. t !ee /oi,es st!ong2 7<ou4%% noti,e.8 Si+on said to e!. 7t at I +ade no ob5e,tion28 7As I said.8 Da" ne said. b!us ing b# i+ on e! -a# to ins"e,t a -i,0et. 7#ou -e!e not bo!n o1 t is 1a+i%#28 7W e!e is Ed-ina;8 Co%in as0ed b!is0%#. s>uinting u" to-a!d t e ouse2 7S e4%% be do-n s o!t%#.8 *ate !e"%ied2 7S e -as 1inis ing b!ea01ast28 7S e is de%a#ing t e "%a#28 *ate tu!ned to Da" ne2 7M# siste! does not s a!e ou! de/otion to t e ga+e28 7S e t in0s -e4!e a%% +ad;8 Da" ne as0ed2 7Quite28 7We%%. s e is s-eet to ,o+e do-n e/e!# #ea!.8 Da" ne said2 7It4s t!adition.8 Ant on# ba!0ed2 He4d +anaged to get o%d o1 t e o!ange +a%%et and -as s-inging it against an i+agina!# ba%%. na!!o-ing is e#es as e !e ea!sed is ai+2 7He asn4t been "!a,ti,ing t e ,ou!se. as e;8 Co%in de+anded2

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7Ho- ,ou%d e;8 Si+on as0ed2 7He on%# 5ust set it u" t is +o!ning2 We a%% -at, ed i+28 Co%in igno!ed i+ and tu!ned to *ate2 7Has e +ade an# st!ange no,tu!na% disa""ea!an,es !e,ent%#;8 S e ga"ed at i+2 7<ou t in0 e4s been snea0ing out to "%a# $a%% Ma%% b# t e %ig t o1 t e +oon;8 7I -ou%dn4t "ut it "ast i+.8 Co%in g!u+b%ed2 7Neit e! -ou%d I.8 *ate !e"%ied. 7but I assu!e #ou. e as been s%ee"ing in is o-n bed28 7It4s not a +atte! o1beds .8 Co%in in1o!+ed e!2 7It4s a +atte! o1 ,o+"etition28 7T is ,an4t be an a""!o"!iate ,on/e!sation in 1!ont o1 a %ad#.8 Si+on said. but it -as ,%ea! e -as en5o#ing i+se%12 Ant on# s ot Co%in an i!!itated %oo0. t en sent one in Si+on4s di!e,tion 1o! good +easu!e2 T e ,on/e!sation -as g!o-ing %udi,!ous. and it -as -e%% "ast ti+e t e# began t e +at, 2 7W e!eis Ed-ina;8 e de+anded2 7I see e! ,o+ing do-n t e i%%.8 *ate !e"%ied2 He %oo0ed u" to see Ed-ina Bag-e%%. *ate4s #ounge! siste!. t!udging do-n t e s%o"e2 S e4d ne/e! been +u, 1o! outdoo! "u!suits. and e ,ou%d -e%% i+agine e! sig ing and !o%%ing e! e#es2 7$in0 1o! +e t is #ea!.8 Da" ne de,%a!ed. "%u,0ing one o1 t e !e+aining +a%%ets 1!o+ t e sta,02 7I a+ 1ee%ing 1e+inine and de%i,ate28 S e ga/e e! b!ot e!s an a!, %oo02 7De,e"ti/e%# so28 Si+on !ea, ed be ind e! and se%e,ted t e #e%%o- +a%%et2 7B%ue 1o! Ed-ina. o1 ,ou!se28 7Ed-ina a%-a#s gets b%ue.8 *ate said to $ene%o"e2 7W #;8 *ate "aused2 7I don4t 0no-28 7W at about "u!"%e;8 $ene%o"e as0ed2 7O . -e ne/e! uset at 28 7W #;8

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

*ate "aused again2 7I don4t 0no-28 7T!adition.8 Ant on# "ut in2 7T en - # do t e !est o1 #ou s-it, ,o%o!s e/e!# #ea!;8 $ene%o"e "e!sisted2 Ant on# tu!ned to is b!ot e!2 7Does s e a%-a#s as0 so +an# >uestions;8 7A%-a#s28 He tu!ned ba,0 to $ene%o"e and said. 7We %i0e it t is -a#28 7I4+ e!eA8 Ed-ina ,a%%ed out , ee!1u%%# as s e a""!oa, ed t e !est o1 t e "%a#e!s2 7O . b%ue again2 Ho- t oug t1u%28 S e "i,0ed u" e! e>ui"+ent. t en tu!ned to Ant on#2 7S a%% -e "%a#;8 He ga/e a nod. t en tu!ned to Si+on2 7<ou4!e 1i!st. Hastings28 7As a%-a#s.8 e +u!+u!ed. and e d!o""ed is ba%% into t e sta!ting "osition2 7Stand ba,0.8 e -a!ned. e/en t oug no one -as -it in s-inging distan,e2 He d!e- is +a%%et ba,0 and t en b!oug t it 1o!-a!d -it a +agni1i,ent ,!a,02 T e ba%% -ent sai%ing a,!oss t e %a-n. st!aig t and t!ue. %anding +e!e #a!ds 1!o+ t e ne?t -i,0et2 7O . -e%% doneA8 $ene%o"e , ee!ed. ,%a""ing e! ands2 7I said no , ee!ing.8 Ant on# g!u+b%ed2 Cou%dn4t an#one 1o%%o- inst!u,tions t ese da#s; 7E/en 1o! Si+on;8 $ene%o"e !etu!ned2 7I t oug t it -as 5ust Co%in28 Ant on# set is ba%% do-n ,a!e1u%%#2 7It4s dist!a,ting28 7As i1 t e !est o1 us a!en4t dist!a,ting.8 Co%in ,o++ented2 7C ee! a-a#. da!%ing28 But s e e%d si%ent as Ant on# too0 ai+2 His s-ing -as e/en +o!e "o-e!1u% t an t e du0e4s. and is ba%% !o%%ed e/en 1a!t e!2 7H+++. bad %u,0 t e!e.8 *ate said2 Ant on# tu!ned on e! sus"i,ious%#2 7W at do #ou +ean; It -as a b!i%%iant s-ing28 7We%%. #es. but68 7Out o1 +# -a#.8 Co%in o!de!ed. +a!, ing to t e sta!ting "osition2 Ant on# %o,0ed e#es -it is -i1e2 7W at do #ou+ean ;8

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7Not ing.8 s e said o11 anded%#. 75ust t at it4s a t!i1%e +udd# !ig t t e!e28 7Mudd#;8 Ant on# %oo0ed to-a!d is ba%%. t en ba,0 to is -i1e. t en ba,0 to t e ba%%2 7It asn4t !ained 1o! da#s28 7H+++. no28 He %oo0ed ba,0 to is -i1e2 His +addening. diabo%i,a%. and soon@to@be@%o,0ed@in@a@ dungeon -i1e2 7Ho- did it get +udd#;8 7We%%. "e! a"s not+udd# :8 7Not +udd#.8 e !e"eated. -it 1a! +o!e "atien,e t an s e dese!/ed2 7$udd%e@is +ig t be +o!e a""!o"!iate28 Wo!ds 1ai%ed i+2 7$udd%#;8 S e s,!un, ed e! 1a,e a tou, 2 7Ho- does one +a0e an ad5e,ti/e out o1 a "udd%e;8 He too0 a ste" in e! di!e,tion2 S e da!ted be ind Da" ne2 7W at is a""ening;8 Da" ne as0ed. t-isting about2 *ate "o0ed e! ead out and s+i%ed t!iu+" ant%#2 7I do be%ie/e e4s going to 0i%% +e28 7Wit so +an# -itnesses;8 Si+on as0ed2 7Ho-.8 Ant on# de+anded. 7did a "udd%e 1o!+ in t e +idst o1 t e d!iest s"!ing o1 +# !e,o%%e,tion;8 *ate s ot i+ anot e! one o1 e! anno#ing g!ins2 7I s"i%%ed +# tea28 7An enti!e "udd%e4s -o!t ;8 S e s !ugged2 7I -as ,o%d28 7Co%d28 7And t i!st#28 7And a""a!ent%# ,%u+s#. as -e%%.8 Si+on "ut in2 Ant on# g%a!ed at i+2

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7We%%. i1 #ou a!e going to 0i%% e!.8 Si+on said. 7-ou%d #ou +ind -aiting unti% +# -i1e is out 1!o+ bet-een #ou;8 He tu!ned to *ate2 7Ho- did #ou 0no- - e!e to "ut t e "udd%e;8 7He4s /e!# "!edi,tab%e.8 s e !e"%ied2 Ant on# st!et, ed out is 1inge!s and +easu!ed e! t !oat2 7E/e!# #ea!.8 s e said. s+i%ing st!aig t at i+2 7<ou a%-a#s "ut t e 1i!st -i,0et in t e sa+e "%a,e. and #ou a%-a#s it t e ba%% "!e,ise%# t e sa+e -a#28 Co%in , ose t at +o+ent to !etu!n2 7<ou! "%a#. *ate28 S e da!ted out 1!o+ be ind Da" ne and s,ooted to-a!d t e sta!ting "o%e2 7A%%4s 1ai!. dea! usband.8 s e ,a%%ed out gai%#2 And t en s e bent 1o!-a!d. ai+ed. and sent t e g!een ba%% 1%#ing2 St!aig t into t e "udd%e2 Ant on# sig ed a""i%#2 T e!e -as 5usti,e in t is -o!%d. a1te! a%%2

T i!t# +inutes %ate! *ate -as -aiting b# e! ba%% nea! t e t i!d -i,0et2 7$it# about t e +ud.8 Co%in said. st!o%%ing "ast2 S e g%a!ed at i+2 Da" ne "assed b# a +o+ent %ate!2 7<ou4/e a bit in:8 S e +otioned to e! ai!2 7<es. t e!e.8 s e added. - en *ate b!us ed 1u!ious%# against e! te+"%e2 7A%t oug t e!e is a bit +o!e. -e%%:8 S e ,%ea!ed e! t !oat2 7E!. e/e!#- e!e28 *ate g%a!ed at e!2 Si+on ste""ed u" to 5oin t e+2 =ood =od. did e/e!#one need to "ass b# t e t i!d -i,0et on t ei! -a# to t e 1i1t ; 7<ou4/e a bit o1 +ud.8 e said e%"1u%%#2 *ate4s 1inge!s -!a""ed +o!e tig t%# a!ound e! +a%%et2 His ead -as so /e!#. /e!# ,%ose2 7But at %east it4s +i?ed -it tea.8 e added2 7W at as t at to do -it an#t ing;8 Da" ne as0ed2

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7I4+ not ,e!tain.8 *ate ea!d i+ sa# as e and Da" ne too0 t ei! %ea/e to-a!d -i,0et nu+be! 1i/e. 7but it see+ed as i1 I oug t to sa#so+e t ing28 *ate ,ounted to ten in e! ead. and t en su!e enoug . Ed-ina a""ened a,!oss e!. $ene%o"e t!ai%ing t !ee ste"s be ind2 T e "ai! ad be,o+e so+et ing o1 a tea+. -it Ed-ina doing a%% t e s-inging and $ene%o"e ,onsu%ting on st!ateg#2 7O .*ate .8 Ed-ina said -it a "it#ing sig 2 7Don4t sa# it.8 *ate g!o-%ed2 7<ou did +a0e t e "udd%e.8 Ed-ina "ointed out2 7W ose siste!a!e #ou;8 *ate de+anded2 Ed-ina ga/e e! an a!, s+i%e2 7Siste!%# de/otion does not obs,u!e +# sense o1 1ai! "%a#28 7T is is $a%% Ma%%2 T e!eis no 1ai! "%a#28 7A""a!ent%# not.8 $ene%o"e !e+a!0ed2 7Ten "a,es.8 *ate -a!ned2 73!o+ Co%in. not 1!o+ #ou.8 $ene%o"e !etu!ned2 7A%t oug I do be%ie/e I s a%% !e+ain at %east a +a%%et4s %engt a-a# at a%% ti+es28 7S a%% -e go;8 Ed-ina in>ui!ed2 S e tu!ned to *ate2 7We 5ust 1inis ed -it t e 1ou!t -i,0et28 7And #ou needed to ta0e t e %ong -a# 4!ound;8 *ate +utte!ed2 7It see+ed on%# s"o!ting to "a# #ou a /isit.8 Ed-ina de+u!!ed2 S e and $ene%o"e tu!ned to -a%0 a-a#. and t en *ate b%u!ted it out2 S e ,ou%dn4t e%" e!se%12 7W e!e is Ant on#;8 Ed-ina and $ene%o"e tu!ned2 7Do #ou !ea%%# -ant to 0no-;8 $ene%o"e as0ed2 *ate 1o!,ed e!se%1 to nod2 7On t e %ast -i,0et. I4+ a1!aid.8 $ene%o"e !e"%ied2 7Be1o!e o! a1te!;8 *ate g!ound out2

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7I beg #ou! "a!don;8 7Is e be1o!e t e -i,0et o! a1te! it;8 s e !e"eated i+"atient%#2 And t en. - en $ene%o"e did not ans-e! instant%# s e added. 7Has e gone t !oug t e b%ood# t ing #et;8 $ene%o"e b%in0ed -it su!"!ise2 7E!. no2 He as about t-o +o!e st!o0es. I s ou%d t in02 $e! a"s t !ee28 *ate -at, ed t e+ de"a!t t !oug na!!o-ed e#es2 S e -asn4t going to -in6t e!e -as no , an,e o1 t at no-2 But i1 s e ,ou%dn4t -in. t en b# =od. neit e! -ou%d Ant on#2 He dese!/ed no g%o!# t is da#. not a1te! t!i""ing e! and sending e! tu+b%ing into t e +ud "udd%e2 O . e4d ,%ai+ed it -as an a,,ident. but *ate 1ound it ig %# sus"i,ious t at is ba%% ad gone s"%utte!ing out o1 t e "udd%e at t e e?a,t +o+ent s e4d ste""ed 1o!-a!d to !ea, e! o-n ba%%2 S e4d ad to do a %itt%e o" to a/oid it and -as ,ong!atu%ating e!se%1 on e! nea! +iss - en Ant on# ad s-ung a!ound -it a "atent%# 1a%se. 7I sa#. a!e #ou a%% !ig t;8 His +a%%et ad s-ung -it i+. ,on/enient%# at an0%e %e/e%2 *ate ad not been ab%e to out o" t at one. and s e4d gone 1%#ing into t e +ud2 3a,e do-n2 And t en Ant on# ad ad t e ga%% to o11e! e! a and0e!, ie12 S e -as going to 0i%% i+2 *i%%2 *i%% 0i%% 0i%%2 But 1i!st s e -as going to +a0e su!e e didn4t -in2

Ant on# -as s+i%ing b!oad%#6- ist%ing. e/en6as e -aited is tu!n2 It -as ta0ing a !idi,u%ous%# %ong a+ount o1 ti+e to get ba,0 4!ound to i+. - at -it *ate so 1a! be ind t at so+eone ad to das ba,0 to %et e! 0no- - en it -as e! tu!n. not to +ention Ed-ina. - o ne/e! see+ed to unde!stand t e /i!tue o1 s"eed# "%a#2 It ad been bad enoug t e %ast 1ou!teen #ea!s. -it e! a+b%ing a%ong as i1 s e ad a%% da#. but no- s e ad $ene%o"e. - o -ou%d not a%%o- e! to it t e ba%% -it out e! ana%#sis and ad/i,e2 But 1o! on,e. Ant on# didn4t +ind2 He -as in t e %ead. so 1a! so t at no one ,ou%d "ossib%# ,at, u"2 And 5ust to +a0e is /i,to!# a%% t e s-eete!. *ate -as in %ast "%a,e2

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

So 1a! so t at s e ,ou%d not o"e to o/e!ta0e an#one2 It a%+ost +ade u" 1o! t e 1a,t t at Co%in ad snat, ed t e +a%%et o1 deat 2 He tu!ned to-a!d t e %ast -i,0et2 He needed one st!o0e to get is ba%% at t e !ead#. and one +o!e to "us it t !oug 2 A1te! t at. e needed on%# to stee! it to t e 1ina% "o%e and end t e ga+e -it a ta"2 C i%d4s "%a#2 He g%an,ed ba,0 o/e! is s ou%de!2 He ,ou%d see Da" ne standing b# t e o%d oa0 t!ee2 S e -as at t e ,!est o1 a i%%. and t us ,ou%d see do-n - e!e e ,ou%d not2 7W ose tu!n is it;8 e ,a%%ed out2 S e ,!aned e! ne,0 as s e -at, ed t e ot e!s "%a#ing do-n t e i%%2 7Co%in4s. I be%ie/e.8 s e said. t-isting ba,0 a!ound. 7- i, +eans *ate is ne?t28 He s+i%ed at t at2 He4d set t e ,ou!se u" a %itt%e di11e!ent%# t is #ea!. in so+et ing o1 a ,i!,u%a! 1as ion2 T e "%a#e!s ad to 1o%%o- a t-isting "atte!n. - i, +eant t at as t e ,!o- 1%e-. e -as a,tua%%# ,%ose! to *ate t an e -as to t e ot e!s2 In 1a,t. e need on%# +o/e about ten #a!ds to t e sout . and e4d be ab%e to -at, e! as s e "us ed on to-a!d t e 1ou!t -i,0et2 O! -as it +e!e%# t e t i!d; Eit e! -a#. e -asn4t going to +iss it2 So. -it a g!in on is 1a,e. e 5ogged o/e!2 S ou%d e ,a%% out; It -ou%d i!!itate e! +o!e i1 e ,a%%ed out2 But t at -ou%d be ,!ue%2 And on t e ot e! and6 CRAC*A Ant on# %oo0ed u" 1!o+ is "onde!ings 5ust in ti+e to see t e g!een ba%% u!t%ing in is di!e,tion2 W at t e de/i%; *ate %et out a t!iu+" ant ,a,0%e. "i,0ed u" e! s0i!ts and began !unning o/e!2 7W at in =od4s na+e a!e #ou doing;8 Ant on# de+anded2 7T e 1ou!t -i,0et ist at -a#28 He 5abbed is 1inge! in t e a""!o"!iate di!e,tion e/en t oug e 0ne- s e 0ne-

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

- e!e it -as2 7I4+ on%# on t e t i!d -i,0et.8 s e said a!, %#. 7and an#-a#. I4/e gi/en u" on -inning2 It4s o"e%ess at t is "oint. don4t #ou t in0;8 Ant on# %oo0ed at e!. t en e %oo0ed at is ba%%. !esting "ea,e1u%%# nea! t e %ast -i,0et2 T en e %oo0ed at e! again2 7O no #ou don4t.8 e g!o-%ed2 S e s+i%ed s%o-%#2 De/ious%#2 Li0e a -it, 2 7Wat, +e.8 s e said2 Just t en Co%in ,a+e das ing o/e! t e !ise2 7<ou! tu!n. Ant on#A8 7Ho- is t at "ossib%e;8 e de+anded2 7*ate 5ust -ent. so t e!e is Da" ne. Ed-ina. and Si+on bet-een28 7We -ent /e!# >ui,0%#.8 Si+on said. st!iding 1o!-a!d2 7We ,e!tain%# don4t -ant to +isst is 28 7O . 1o! =od4s sa0e.8 e +utte!ed. -at, ing as t e !est o1 t e+ u!!ied nea!2 He sta%0ed o/e! to is ba%%. na!!o-ing is e#es as e "!e"a!ed is ai+2 7Be ,a!e1u% o1 t e t!ee !ootA8 $ene%o"e ,a%%ed out2 Ant on# g!it is teet 2 7It -asn4t , ee!ing.8 s e said. e! 1a,e +agni1i,ent%# b%and2 7Su!e%# a -a!ning doesn4t >ua%i1# as , ee!68 7S utu" .8 Ant on# g!ound out2 7We a%% a/e ou! "%a,e in t is ga+e.8 s e said. %i"s t-it, ing2 Ant on# tu!ned a!ound2 7Co%inA8 e ba!0ed2 7I1 #ou don4t -is to 1ind #ou!se%1 a -ido-e!. 0ind%# +uBB%e #ou! -i1e28 Co%in -a%0ed o/e! to $ene%o"e2 7I %o/e #ou.8 e said. 0issing e! on t e , ee02

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7And I68 7Sto" itA8 Ant on# e?"%oded2 W en a%% e#es tu!ned to i+. e added. !at e! in a g!unt. 7I4+ t!#ing to ,on,ent!ate28 *ate dan,ed in a %itt%e ,%ose!2 7=et a-a# 1!o+ +e. -o+an28 7I 5ust -ant tosee .8 s e said2 7I4/e a!d%# ad t e , an,e to see an#t ing t is ga+e. being so 1a! be ind t e enti!e ti+e28 He na!!o-ed is e#es2 7I+ig t be !es"onsib%e 1o! t e +ud. and "%ease note +# e+" asis on t e -o!d+ig t . - i, does not i+"%# an# so!t o1 ,on1i!+ation on +# "a!t28 He "aused. >uite "ointed%# igno!ing t e !est o1 t e gat e!ing. a%% o1 - o+ -e!e ga"ing at i+2 7Ho-e/e!.8 e ,ontinued. 7I 1ai% to see o- #ou! "osition in %ast "%a,e is+# !es"onsibi%it#28 7T e +ud +ade +# ands s%i""e!#.8 s e g!ound out2 7I ,ou%d not "!o"e!%# g!i" t e +a%%et28 O11 to t e side. Co%in -in,ed2 7Wea0. I4+ a1!aid. *ate2 I4%% a/e to g!ant t is "oint to Ant on#. +u, as it "ains +e28 73ine.8 s e said. a1te! tossing Co%in a -it e!ing g%a!e2 7It4s no one4s 1au%t but +# o-n2 Ho-e/e!28 And t en s e said not ing2 7E!. o-e/e! - at;8 Ed-ina 1ina%%# in>ui!ed2 *ate ,ou%d a/e been a >ueen -it e! s,e"te! as s e stood t e!e. a%% ,o/e!ed -it +ud2 7Ho-e/e!.8 s e ,ontinued !ega%%#. 7I don4t a/e to %i0e it2 And t is being $a%% Ma%%. and -e being B!idge!tons. I don4t a/e to "%a# 1ai!28 Ant on# s oo0 is ead and bent ba,0 do-n to +a0e is ai+2 7S e as a "oint t is ti+e.8 Co%in said. i!!itating sod t at e -as2 7=ood s"o!ts+ans i" as ne/e! been /a%ued ig %# in t is ga+e28 7Be >uiet.8 Ant on# g!unted2 7In 1a,t.8 Co%in ,ontinued. 7one ,ou%d +a0e t e a!gu+ent t at68

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

7I said be >uiet28 76t e o""osite is t!ue. and t atbad s"o!ts+ans i"68 7S utu" . Co%in28 76is in 1a,t to be %auded. and68 Ant on# de,ided to gi/e u" and ta0e a s-ing2 At t is !ate t e#4d be standing t e!e unti% Mi, ae%+as2 Co%in -as ne/e! going to sto" ta%0ing. not - en e t oug t e ad a , an,e o1 i!!itating is b!ot e!2 Ant on# 1o!,ed i+se%1 to ea! not ing but t e -ind2 O! at %east e t!ied2 He ai+ed2 He d!e- ba,02 C!a,0A Not too a!d. not too a!d2 T e ba%% !o%%ed 1o!-a!d. un1o!tunate%# not >uite 1a! enoug 2 He -as not going to +a0e it t !oug t e %ast -i,0et on is ne?t t!#2 At %east not -it out inte!/ention di/ine enoug to send is ba%% a!ound a 1ist@siBed stone2 7Co%in. #ou4!e ne?t.8 Da" ne said. but e -as a%!ead# das ing ba,0 to is ba%%2 He ga/e it a a" aBa!d ta". t en #e%%ed out. 7*ateA8 S e ste""ed 1o!-a!d. b%in0ing as s e assessed t e %a# o1 t e %and2 He! ba%% -as about a 1oot a-a# 1!o+ Ant on#4s2 T e stone. o-e/e!. -as on t e ot e! side. +eaning t at i1 s e atte+"ted to sabotage i+. s e ,ou%dn4t send i+ /e!# 1a!6su!e%# t e stone -ou%d sto" t e ba%%2 7An inte!esting di%e++a.8 Ant on# +u!+u!ed2 *ate ,i!,%ed a!ound t e ba%%s2 7It -ou%d be a !o+anti, gestu!e.8 s e +used. 7i1 I a%%o-ed #ou to -in28 7O . it4s not a >uestion o1 #ou!a%%o-ing .8 e taunted2 7W!ong ans-e!.8 s e said. and s e ai+ed2 Ant on# na!!o-ed is e#es2 W at -as s e doing;

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

*ate it t e ba%% -it a 1ai! bit o1 1o!,e. ai+ing not s>ua!e%# at is ba%% but at t e %e1t side2 He! ba%% s%a++ed into is. sending it s"i!a%ing o11 to t e !ig t2 Be,ause o1 t e ang%e. s e ,ou%dn4t send it as 1a! as s e +ig t a/e -it a di!e,t s ot. but s e did +anage to get it !ig t to t e to" o1 t e i%%2 Rig t to t e to"2 Rig t to t e to"2 And t en do-n it2 *ate %et out a - oo" o1 de%ig t t at -ou%d not a/e been out o1 "%a,e on a batt%e1ie%d2 7<ou4%% "a#.8 Ant on# said2 S e -as too bus# 5u+"ing u" and do-n to "a# i+ an# attention2 7W o do #ou su""ose -i%% -in no-;8 $ene%o"e as0ed2 7Do #ou 0no-.8 Ant on# said >uiet%#. 7I don4t ,a!e28 And t en e -a%0ed o/e! to t e g!een ba%% and too0 ai+2 7Ho%d u". it4s not #ou! tu!nA8 Ed-ina ,a%%ed out2 7And it4s not #ou! ba%%.8 $ene%o"e added2 7Is t at so;8 e +u!+u!ed. and t en %et 1%#. s+as ing is +a%%et into *ate4s ba%% and sending it u!t%ing a,!oss t e %a-n. do-n t e s a%%o-e! s%o"e. and into t e %a0e2 *ate %et out a u11 o1 out!age2 7T at -asn4t /e!# s"o!ting o1 #ouA8 He ga/e e! a +addening g!in2 7A%%4s 1ai! and a%% t at. -i1e28 7<ou -i%% 1is it out.8 s e !eto!ted2 7<ou4!e t e one - o needs a bat 28 Da" ne %et out a , u,0%e. and t en said. 7I t in0 it +ust be +# tu!n2 S a%% -e ,ontinue;8 S e de"a!ted. Si+on. Ed-ina. and $ene%o"e in e! -a0e2 7Co%inA8 Da" ne ba!0ed2 7O . /e!# -e%%.8 e g!u+b%ed. and e t!ai%ed a%ong a1te! t e+2 *ate %oo0ed u" at e! usband. e! %i"s beginning to t-it, 2 7We%%.8 s e said. s,!at, ing

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

at a s"ot on e! ea! t at -as "a!ti,u%a!%# ,a0ed -it +ud. 7I su""ose t at4s t e end o1 t e +at, 1o! us28 7I4d sa#28 7B!i%%iant 5ob t is #ea!28 7<ou as -e%%.8 e added. s+i%ing do-n at e!2 7T e "udd%e -as ins"i!ed28 7I t oug t so.8 s e said. -it no +odest# - atsoe/e!2 7And. -e%%. about t e +ud:8 7It -as not>uite on "u!"ose.8 e +u!+u!ed2 7I s ou%d a/e done t e sa+e.8 s e a%%o-ed2 7<es. I 0no-28 7I a+ 1i%t #.8 s e said. %oo0ing do-n at e!se%12 7T e %a0e4s !ig t t e!e.8 e said2 7It4s so ,o%d28 7A bat . t en;8 S e s+i%ed sedu,ti/e%#2 7<ou4%% 5oin +e;8 7But o1 ,ou!se28 He e%d out is a!+ and toget e! t e# began to st!o%% ba,0 to-a!d t e ouse2 7S ou%d -e a/e to%d t e+ -e 1o!1eit;8 *ate as0ed2 7No28 7Co%in4s going to t!# to stea% t e b%a,0 +a%%et. #ou 0no-28 He %oo0ed at e! -it inte!est2 7<ou t in0 e4%% atte+"t to !e+o/e it 1!o+ Aub!e# Ha%%;8 7Wou%dn4t #ou;8 7Abso%ute%#.8 e !e"%ied. -it g!eat e+" asis2 7We s a%% a/e to 5oin 1o!,es28 7O . indeed28 T e# -a%0ed on a 1e- +o!e #a!ds. and t en *ate said. 7But on,e -e a/e it ba,0:8

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

He %oo0ed at e! in o!!o!2 7O . t en it4s e/e!# +an 1o! i+se%12 <ou didn4t t in068 7No.8 s e said asti%#2 7Abso%ute%# not28 7T en -e a!e ag!eed.8 Ant on# said. -it so+e !e%ie12 Rea%%#. - e!e -ou%d t e 1un be i1 e ,ou%dn4t t!oun,e *ate; T e# -a%0ed on a 1e- se,onds +o!e. and t en *ate said. 7I4+ going to -in ne?t #ea!28 7I 0no- #ou t in0 #ou -i%%28 7No. I -i%%2 I a/e ideas2 St!ategies28 Ant on# %aug ed. t en %eaned do-n to 0iss e!. +ud and a%%2 7I a/e ideas. too.8 e said -it a s+i%e2 7And +an#. +an# st!ategies28 S e %i,0ed e! %i"s2 7We4!e not ta%0ing about $a%% Ma%% an# %onge!. a!e -e;8 He s oo0 is ead2 S e -!a""ed e! a!+s a!ound i+. e! ands "u%%ing is ead ba,0 do-n to e!s2 And t en. in t e +o+ent be1o!e is %i"s too0 e!s. e ea!d e! sig 6 7=ood28

About t e Aut o!
JULIAQUINNsta!ted -!iting e! 1i!st boo0 one +ont a1te! 1inis ing ,o%%ege and as been ta""ing a-a# at e! 0e#boa!d e/e! sin,e2 T eNe- <o!0 Ti+es bestse%%ing aut o! o1 1i1teen no/e%s 1o! A/on Boo0s. s e is a g!aduate o1 Ha!/a!d and Rad,%i11e Co%%eges and %i/es -it e! 1a+i%# in t e $a,i1i, No!t -est2 $%ease /isit e! on t e -eb at---25u%ia>uinn2,o+ 2 Visit ---2Aut o!T!a,0e!2,o+ 1o! e?,%usi/e in1o!+ation on #ou! 1a/o!ite Ha!"e!Co%%ins aut o!2 Co"#!ig t

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

T is is a -o!0 o1 1i,tion2 Na+es. , a!a,te!s. "%a,es. and in,idents a!e "!odu,ts o1 t e aut o!4s i+agination o! a!e used 1i,titious%# and a!e not to be ,onst!ued as !ea%2 An# !ese+b%an,e to a,tua% e/ents. %o,a%es. o!ganiBations. o! "e!sons. %i/ing o! dead. is enti!e%# ,oin,identa%2 AVON BOO*S An I+"!int o1 Ha!"e!Co%%ins$ub%is e!s &C East DE!d St!eet Ne- <o!0. Ne- <o!0 &CC((@D()) Co"#!ig t F (CCG b# Ju%ie Cot%e! $ottinge! Mi,!oso1t Reade! Ma# (CCG ISBN C@CG@&(EDH(@E ---2a/on!o+an,e2,o+ A%% !ig ts !ese!/ed unde! Inte!nationa% and $an@A+e!i,an Co"#!ig t Con/entions2 B# "a#+ent o1 t e !e>ui!ed 1ees. #ou a/e been g!anted t e non@e?,%usi/e. non@t!ans1e!ab%e !ig t to a,,ess and !ead t e te?t o1 t is e@boo0 on@s,!een2 No "a!t o1 t is te?t +a# be !e"!odu,ed. t!ans+itted. do-n@%oaded. de,o+"i%ed. !e/e!se enginee!ed. o! sto!ed in o! int!odu,ed into an# in1o!+ation sto!age and !et!ie/a% s#ste+. in an# 1o!+ o! b# an# +eans. - et e! e%e,t!oni, o! +e, ani,a%. no- 0no-n o! e!eina1te! in/ented. -it out t e e?"!ess -!itten "e!+ission o1 Ha!"e!Co%%ins e@boo0s2 A/on T!ade+a!0 Reg2 U2S2 $at2 O112 and in Ot e! Count!ies. Ma!,a Regist!ada. He, o en U2S2A2 Ha!"e!Co%%ins is a !egiste!ed t!ade+a!0 o1 Ha!"e!Co%%ins $ub%is e!s In,2

About t e $ub%is e! Aust!a%ia Ha!"e!Co%%ins $ub%is e!s IAust!a%iaJ $t#2 Ltd2 (D R#de Road I$O Bo? E(&J $#+b%e. NSW (CKE. Aust!a%ia tt"LMM---2 a!"e!,o%%inseboo0s2,o+2au

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ABC Amber LIT Converter http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

Canada Ha!"e!Co%%ins $ub%is e!s Ltd2 DD A/enue Road. Suite ()CC To!onto. ON. MDR. EL(. Canada tt"LMM---2 a!"e!,o%%inseboo0s2,a Ne- Nea%and Ha!"e!Co%%ins$ub%is e!s INe- Nea%andJ Li+ited $2O2 Bo? & Au,0%and. Ne- Nea%and tt"LMM---2 a!"e!,o%%inseboo0s2,o2nB United *ingdo+ Ha!"e!Co%%ins $ub%is e!s Ltd2 KK@'D 3u% a+ $a%a,e Road London. WG 'JB. U* tt"LMM---2u02 a!"e!,o%%inseboo0s2,o+ United States Ha!"e!Co%%ins $ub%is e!s In,2 &C East DE!d St!eet Ne- <o!0. N< &CC(( tt"LMM---2 a!"e!,o%%inseboo0s2,o+

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