,,MI/] ,,MON"D
       ,KEYS 6! ,K+DOM3 ,BOOK ,"O

              ,,G>? ,,NIX

        ,PUBLI%$ 0,S*OLA/IC ,9C4
               ,NEW ,YORK
             ,COPY"R #BJJC
              ,0,G>? ,NIX
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

       ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL
           ,0,HEL5 ,J4 ,MILL]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #D ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #C
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #BJA-CJB

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
  ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJD
                                     ;II
























             ,*APT] ,?IRTE5         #BJA

  ,! ,-MIS.NAIRE /OOD BACK UP & SL[LY
UNSCREW$ 8 "R H&4 ,HE PUT ? "? 8 BELT1
!N DREW A M* /RANG] H& F 9SIDE 8 COAT4
,? "O _H NO F+]S1 B A S+LE BROAD BLADE L
A CL1V]4 ,HE SCREW$ ? H& 96HIS WRI/4 ,Z
SOON Z X 0 SECURE1 ! CL1V] 2GAN 6JITT] &
MOVE UP & D[N S SWIFTLY T X 2CAME A BLUR
( /EEL4
  ,! ,-MIS.NAIRE B5T BACK D[N & L[]$ !
KNIFE T[>DS ,>?UR'S WRI/4 ,! BOY CRI$ \1
B 2F HE CD D ANY?+1 OR ! KNIFE CD T\*
HM1 ! ,KEY SU45LY %OT \ ( 8 H& L AN >R[4
,X PLUNG$ 96! ,-MIS.NAIRE'S BR1/B"O1
CAME \ "? 8 BACK1 & SPUN ONCE M 96,>-
?UR'S H&4
  ,"! 0 NO BLOOD4 ,A VAGUE LOOK ( PUZ-
ZLE;T CROSS$ ! ,-MIS.NAIRE'S FACE4 ,HE
/OOD UP & /EPP$ BACK1 &! S.D ( GR9D+
GE>S CAME F 8 TORSO4 ,!N 8 BLUE COAT
RIPP$ OP5 F ! 9SIDE &A SPR+ UNCOIL$ TO
HANG LIMP & BROK5 D[N 8 FRONT4 ,X 0 FOL-
L[$ A MO;T LAT] )A .POP-POP-POP Z A RA9
( SMALL COGS TUM#D \ >.D ! BROK5 SPR+ &
FELL 6! GR.D4                       #BJB
  ,! ,-MIS.NAIRE SL[LY B5T 8 H1D 6LOOK
AT 8 *E/1 RAIS$ 8 "O NORMAL H& 6T\* X1
!N FROZE 9 PLACE1 )A SMALL /R1M ( SILV]
FLUID TRICKL+ D[N F ! CORN]S ( 8 EYES &
\ ( 8 M\?4
  ,"! 0 SIL;E =A MO;T4 ,>?UR />$ AT !
BROK5 ,-MIS.NAIRE1 !N AT ! ,KEY 9 8 H&1
!N UP AT 8 5EMIES4 ,"! 0 NO *.E ( ES-
CAPE1 AT L1/ N =! MO;T4 ,HE GL.ED ACR TO
,SUZY ,BLUE1 B %E 0 LY+ ON H] SIDE1 FAC+
AWAY1 & HE CD N TELL :E!R %E 0 3SCI\S OR
N4
  ,NOON FR[N$ & GE/UR$ 6A ,-MIS.NAIRE
,S]G1NT4
  8,S5D F\R ( YR MO/ TRU/$ M5 & FET* T
,KEY60
  ,! ,S]G1NT SALUT$ & TURN$ 6BELL[ ORD]S
AT 8 METAL M9IONS4 ,B 2F HE CD SP1K1
,MON"D'S ,DUSK SPOKE4 ,UNLIKE ,NOON1 8
T;GUE 0 BLACK1 N SILV]1 & 8 VOICE 0 A
HO>SE :ISP]4
  8,X IS Z ,I GUESS$--HE HAS N[ BOND$
FULLY )! ,KEY10 HE SD4 8,S =CE W N AVAIL
U1 UN.S \R ,MA/] C>ES 6RISK ! ,GRT] ,KEY
AG/ ! ,LESS]80                      #BJC
  ,NOON LOOK$ S\RLY AT ,DUSK1 !N OV] AT
,MI/] ,MON"D1 :O APPE>$ 6H FALL5 ASLEEP1
BAL.ED PREC>I\SLY ON 8 %OOT+ /ICK4 ,HE
DID N ANSW] ,DUSK'S "Q1 ?\< A FA9T TIC
APPE>$ ABV 8 "R EYE4
  8,NO80 3T9U$ ,DUSK4 8,:Y LOSE M ,-MIS-
.NAIRES1 BRO!R1 6NO AVAIL8 ,! ,GRIM *>G-
ES DE> = _! REPLACE;T1 DOES HE N80
  8,:AT !N8 ,! BOY W N H& X OV] WILL+LY1
OR F FE>4 ,I H TRI$ T40
  8,LET HM KEEP X1 = N[10 SD ,DUSK4 8,HE
DOES N "K H[ 6USE X4 ,LET U PUT HM "S":
SAFE & UNPL1SANT4 ,:5 HE HAS SU6]$ 5\<1
HE W GIVE U ! ,KEY40
  8,:AT PLACE IS SAFE F ! 9T]F];E (!
,W80 ASK$ ,NOON4 8,NO": ,I "K40
  8,"! IS "O PLACE ! ,W _C G10 REPLI$
,DUSK4 8,OR D>E N4 ,! ,DEEP ,COAL ,CEL-
L>4 ,! ,OLD ,"O W N SU6] ! ,W 6-E "!40
  8,! ,OLD ,"O80 ,DAWN %IV]$4 ,H] VOICE
0 B"R & L\D1 & H] T;GUE 0 GOLD54 8,WE %D
N M$DLE ) HM40
  8,HE IS *A9$40 ,DUSK %RU7$4 8,& HE HAS
N"E 9T]F]$ ) ANY (! "W]S 9 ! ,CELL>40
  8,B IF HE C GA9 ! ,KEY80 ASK$     #BJD
,DAWN4 8,HE MI<T FREE HMF--0
  8,N"E10 SD ,DUSK4 8,ALL ! ,SEV5 ,KEYS
TGR CD N FREE HM F T *A940
  8,"! >E (T5 ,NI?L+S 9 ! COAL CELL>S1
EV5 9 ! ,DEEP10 SD ,NOON4 8,IF "O ( !M
%D GA9 ! ,KEY--0
  8,H[1 :5 WE _C80 :ISP]$ ,DUSK4 8,I H
/UDI$ ! ,KEYS & ,I TELL Y1 N[ X HAS
BOND$1 X C ONLY 2 GIV51 N TAK54 ,X W
PROTECT XS WIELD] F S]I\S H>M1 ?\< N EN-
TIRELY F PA91 & N AT ALL F 4COM=T4 ,I
SAY PUT ! BOY 96! D>K;S &! DAMP4 ,HE W
SOON SEE T 8 ONLY WAY \ IS 6GIVE U--0
  8,ME10 9T]RUPT$ ,MI/] ,MON"D1 SU45LY
/RAI<T5+ UP4 8,GIVE .ME ! ,KEY40
  ,DAWN1 ,NOON1 & ,DUSK SMIL$ & B[$ TO
,MI/] ,MON"D 2F ,DUSK 3T9U$4
  8,Z Y SAY1 SIR4 ,! BOY W SOON -E 6R1L-
IZE T HE M/ GIVE ,MI/] ,MON"D ! ,KEY40
  8,DELAYS6 ,DI6ICULTIES60 -PLA9$ ,MI/]
,MON"D4 8,B ,I SEE S5SE 9 YR PLAN1
,DUSK4 ,TAKE C>E ( X4 ,I AM GO+ BACK TO
TAKE A NAP40
  8,:AT AB ME1 SIR80 ,SUZY SU45LY PIP$
UP4 8,I DIDN'T M1N 6D X1 SIR4 ,X    #BJE
0 T ,W T MADE ME40
  ,MI/] ,MON"D IGNOR$ H]4 ,HE SL[LY /OOD
UP1 LEFT ! %OOT+ /ICK ": X WAS1 & AM#D
T[>DS ! OP5 ELEVATOR4 ,! ,-MIS.NAIRES &
,S]G1NTS SALUT$ Z HE PASS$1 & ,DAWN1
,NOON1 & ,DUSK B[$ ONCE M4 ,! ELEVATOR
DOOR CLOS$1 !N ALM IMMLY OP5$ AG4 ,"! 0
NO SIGN ( ,MON"D 9SIDE4
  8,H"O/1 SIR6 ,X WASN'T MY FAULT10 ,SU-
ZY 3T9U$1 6,NOON4 ,%E KNELT D[N & B[$ H]
H1D S L[ X T\*$ ! GRASS1 H] F+]S SCRA2L+
96! DIRT 9 H] 4TRESS4 8,DON'T S5D ME 6!
,COAL ,CELL>4 ,LET ME G BACK 6"W60
  8,": IS ! ,W80 ASK$ ,NOON4 ,HE /RODE
OV] 6,SUZY & LIFT$ H] UP 0! HAIR TILL %E
/OOD ON TIPTOE1 GRIMAC+ AT ! PA94
  8,X LEFT :5 ! D9OSAUR CAME10 ,SUZY
CRI$4 8,X KNEW A WEIRDWAY \1 A SMALL "O1
TOO SMALL = U 6USE40
  8,:AT %APE HAS X ASSUM$80 ASK$ ,NOON4
8,": 0 ? WEIRDWAY80
  8,! ,W ''' ! ,W LOOK$ L AN ORANGE CAT1
B ) L;G E>S10 SO2$ ,SUZY4 8,X W5T UP T
TREE & !N ''' X 0 G"O4 ,I DIDN'T WANT 6D
:AT X SD1 B X MADE ME--0            #BJF
  ,NOON DROPP$ H] 9 4GU/4
  8,D Y WANT ?80 HE ASK$ ,DAWN & ,DUSK1
9DICAT+ ,SUZY1 :O 0 ONCE AG PRO/RATE4 ,?
"T %E _H MANAG$ 6GET DIRT ALL OV] H]
FACE1 MIX+ X 96MUD ) H] TE>S4
  ,DAWN %OOK H] H1D4 ,DUSK DID N ANSW]
IMMLY4 ,!N A SLI<T SMILE FLITT$ ACR 8
FACE1 S SLI<T ,>?UR WOND]$ IF HE _H
IMAG9$ X4
  8,Y >E "O ( T IRRESPONSI# ,PIP]'S *N1
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  8,YES1 ,YR ,HONOR10 SO2$ ,SUZY4 8,I'M
AN ,9K-,FILL] N[1 ,SIX? ,CLASS40
  8,AN HONORA# O3UP,N10 REPLI$ ,DUSK4
8,Y MAY RETURN 6YR DUTIES1 ,SUZY ,TUR-
QUOISE ,BLUE4 ,B F/ WA% YR FACE & H&S4
,? /R1M LOOKS 3V5I5T = T40
  ,SUZY />$ UP AT HM SUSPICI\SLY Z %E
HE>D H] "N1 !N B[$ ONCE M & /OOD UP %AK-
ILY4 ,ONLY ,DUSK & ,>?UR WAT*$ H] Z %E
W5T OV] 6! /R1M & B5T D[N 6WA%4 ,>?UR _H
BE5 SURPRIS$ 0H] WAIL+ & BE7+1 B N[ T %E
_H G"O 6! EXACT PO9T 9 ! /R1M ": ! ,W _H
DIV$ IN1 HE ?"\ DI6]5TLY4 ,%E _H H] BACK
6"EY"O1 US+ X 6BLOCK ! VIEW ( :AT   #BJG
%E 0 DO+ ) H] H&S 9 ! WAT]4 ,:1 ,>?UR
HOP$1 0 RETRIEV+ ! ,W4 ,N T HE EXPECT$ !
,W 6D ANY?+1 N ) ,MON"D'S ?REE P[];L S]-
VANTS AT ! R1DY4
  8,DE/ROY ? (FICE10 ,NOON 9/RUCT$ A
,S]G1NT4 ,HE TOOK \ A NOTEBOOK1 SCRIB#D
"S?+ 9 X )A P5 T APPE>$ \ (! AIR1 TORE \
! PAGE1 & GAVE X 6! ,S]G1NT4 8,USE ? TO
CLOSE ! PICTURE W9D[40
  8,MY ,MIDNI<T ,VISITORS & ,I W TAKE
,>?UR 6! ,DEEP ,COAL ,CELL>10 ANN\NC$
,DUSK4 ,HE GE/UR$ 6HIS FUN]1L FOLL[]S1 &
!Y /EPP$ =W>D4
  8,NO1 !Y W N10 C.T]$ ,NOON4 8,? IS MY
DUTY4 ,I / HOLD \R ,MA/]'S PL5IPOT5TI>Y
P[]S40
  8,GIV5 =! ,SECOND>Y ,R1LMS1 ,I BE-
LIEVE10 SD ,DUSK MILDLY4
  8,T DETAIL 0 OMITT$10 REPLI$ ,NOON )A
B"R SMILE4 ,HE TURN$ 6,>?UR & SD1 8,GET
UP1 BOY4 ,IF Y -E AL;G 9 A DOCILE MANN]1
,I W N 2 =C$ 6HURT Y4 ,REMEMB] T M* PA9
C / 2 VISIT$ ^U Y1 PROVID$ WE D N TRY TO
TAKE ! ,KEY40
  ,DUSK LOOK$ AT ,DAWN1 :O %RU7$4   #BJH
  8,NOON HAS ! "R10 %E SD4 8,I W A3OMPA-
NY HM40
  8,Z Y SAY4 ,SI/]1 BRO!R10 SD ,DUSK4
,HE CLICK$ 8 F+]S & PO9T$ UP4 ,! ,MID-
NI<T ,VISITORS B[$ SLI<TLY & WRAPP$ _!
CAPES >.D !MVS4 ,!N !Y ALL SL[LY ROSE
96! AIR1 /&+ AT ATT5;N Z !Y LEVITAT$ TO-
W>DS ! CEIL+4 ,AT ! HEI<T (! TREETOPS1
!Y 4APPE>$4
  ,>?UR WAT*$ !M G1 !N LOOK$ BACK4 ,DUSK
_H 4APPE>$ & ,NOON & ,DAWN 7 />+ BACK AT
,>?UR4
  8,WELL1 BOY80
  ,>?UR SN1K$ A GL.E AT ,SUZY4 ,%E _H
/EPP$ BACK F ! /R1M B WD N LOOK AT HM4
,HE CDN'T TELL :E!R %E _H PICK$ UP ! ,W
& 0 /RUCK 0SU45 D\BT4 ,:AT IF %E DID ON-
LY WANT 6WA% H] H&S1 BO? ( DIRT & ANY
RESPONSIBIL;Y 6HM8 ,OR :AT IF %E DID
WANT 6HELP1 B ! ,W _H ALR G"O8
  8,I GUESS ,I DON'T H A *OICE10 ,>?UR
REPLI$ SL[LY4 ,HE GOT UP & LIFT$ 8 *9 TO
%[ T HE 0 N AFRAID4 8,I'LL G ) Y40
  ,>?UR SURREPTITI\SLY LOOK$ AG AT ,SUZY
Z HE SPOKE4 ,%E 0 / CR\*$ ABV !     #BJI
/R1M1 B 0 HALF-LOOK+ BACK AT HM4 ,>?UR
GAVE H] A V SL[1 SLY W9K4 ,SUZY TAPP$ H]
?ROAT & C\<$4 ,%E CLE>LY _H ! ,W1 & ,>-
?UR TOOK "S SMALL -=T F T4 ,ONLY A SMALL
-=T1 B AT L1/ "! 0 A *.E ( HELP "S":
AL;G ! L9E4
  ,NOON GE/UR$ AG1 &! ,S]G1NTS BELL[$
ORD]S4 ,A DOZ5 METAL ,-MIS.NAIRES M>*$
UP >.D ,>?UR1 BOX+ HM IN4 ,!Y 7 S CLOSE
TGR1 & S TALL1 HE CD B>ELY SEE \ 2T !M4
  8,-MIS.NAIRES ESCORT+ ! PRISON]1 0!
LEFT1 SLOOOO[ M>*60 %\T$ A ,S]G1NT4 ,!
,-MIS.NAIRES /EPP$ (F1 & ,>?UR _H 6/>T
M>*+ TOO1 6AVOID 2+ CRU%$ OR TRO45 ON4
,"SH[ HE D\BT$ ! ,KEY WD PROTECT HM F A
BRUIS$ FOOT OR RIB4
  ,>?UR EXPECT$ AT L1/ "S (! 5T\RAGE TO
PEEL (F 2F !Y GOT 6! ELEVATOR4 ,9 FACT
HE CDN'T "U/& H[ S _M ( !M _H -E \ (!
ELEVATOR 9 ! F/ PLACE4 ,B Z !Y 3T9U$ TO
M>* IN1 HE R1LIZ$ T X 0 N ! ELEVATOR HE
& ,SUZY _H US$1 ?\< X 0 9 EXACTLY ! SAME
PLACE4 ,? ELEVATOR 0 _M "TS L>G]4 ,X 0 !
SIZE (! S*OOL ASSEMBLY HALL & 0 M*
FANCI] TOO1 ) HI<LY POLI%$ WOOD     #BAJ
PANEL+ ON ! WALLS &A P>QUETRY FLOOR4
  ,"! 0 A BRASS-RAIL$ ROTUNDA 9 ! C5T] (
! ELEVATOR4 ,NOON & ,DAWN /RODE OV] &
CLIMB$ UP 96X1 :ILE "EY"O ELSE >RAY$
!MVS 9 FRONT (! ROTUNDA1 Z IF !Y 7 ON A
P>ADE GR.D4 ,>?UR _H "O LA/ GLIMPSE (
,SUZY TALK+ 6! ,S]G1NT :O 0 GO+ 6DE/ROY
! (FICE4 ,!N ! DOORS SLID %UT &A BELL
S.D$4
  ,N[ ,>?UR FELT TRULY A PRISON]4 ,AL"O
AM;G 5EMIES4
  ,NOON T\*$ ! AIR 9 FRONT ( HM1 &A
SP1K+ TUBE APPE>$4 ,HE PULL$ X 6HIS M\?
& SD1 8,L[] ,GR.D TW5TY-TWELVE4 ,EX-
PRESS40
  ,"S"O OR "S?+ SD "S?+ BACK4 ,NOON
FR[N$4
  8,WELL1 RER\TE X6 ,I SD .EXPRESS40
  ,! LIFT SU45LY LUR*$ & FELL1 HURL+ ,>-
?UR 96"O (! ,-MIS.NAIRES1 :O REMA9$
ROCK-/1DY AT ATT5;N4 ,NOON & ,DAWN 7
?R[N AG/ ! RAIL+S (! ROTUNDA4 ,NOON
SC[L$ & PULL$ ! SP1K+ TUBE T[>DS HM4 ,!N
HE R1*$ 9 ) "O L;G1 SLIM F+] & TU7$ AT
"S?+4 ,"! 0 A /IFL$ SCR1M F !       #BAA
TUBE1 !N ,NOON SL[LY PULL$ \ A NOSE HE
_H TWI/$ 9 8 :ITE-GLOV$ F+]S1 FOLL[$ 0A
M\? & *91 !N A :OLE H1D -PLETE )A BATT]$
HAT--ALL ( : 0 IMPOSSI# = ,>?UR 62LIEVE1
S9CE ! TUBE 0 NO WID] ?AN A C ( S\P4
  ,A FEW SECONDS LAT]1 ,NOON _H DRA7$ AN
5TIRE MAN \ (! TUBE1 DROPP+ HM ON !
FLOOR NEXT 6! ROTUNDA4 ,! EXTRACT$ FELL[
0 %ORT & FAT4 ,8 COAT 0 TOO L;G1 XS BAD-
LY M5D$ BACK BRU%+ ! FLOOR4
  ,NOON GL[]$ D[N AT HM4
  8,ELEVATOR ,OP]ATOR ,SEV5? ,GRADE80
  8,NO1 ,YR ,HONOR10 SD ! LL MAN4 ,>?UR
CD SEE HE 0 TRY+ 6BE BRAVE4 8,ELEVATOR
,OP]ATOR ,F\R? ,GRADE40
  8,N ANYMORE10 REPLI$ ,NOON4 ,8 NOTE-
BOOK APPE>$ 9 8 H& & HE WROTE 9 X QKLY4
,!N HE TORE \ ! %EET & LET X FALL4
  8,OH1 PL1SE1 ,YR ,"LLI;S10 SD ! MAN
MIS]ABLY4 8,I'VE BE5 9 GRADE F\R A HUN-
DR$ YE>S--0
  ,! PAP] HIT ! LL MAN'S %\LD] & EXPLOD$
96BLUE SP>KS T SURR.D$ 8 H1D L A CORONA4
,! SP>KS ATE AWAY ! MAN'S SQUA%Y HAT1
L1V+ HM BALD1 !N DESC5D$ 6DE/ROY    #BAB
8 COAT1 8 %IRT1 8 BREE*ES1 & 8 COAT4 ,>-
?UR %UT "O EYE1 N RE,Y WANT+ 6SEE :AT
MI<T -E NEXT1 "PICUL>LY IF ! MAN'S SK9
/>T$ 4SOLV+ OR "S?+4 ,B X DIDN'T4 ,9/1D
! SP>KS =M$ 96A SIMPLE TOGA-L ROBE ( (F-
:ITE T SETTL$ ON ! MAN 9 PLACE ( 8 =M]
CLO!S4
  8,Y DIDN'T NE$ 6D T Z WELL10 SD ! ELE-
VATOR OP]ATOR ) 3SID]A# DIGN;Y4 8,!Y 7
H>D-WON1 ^? FITT+S40
  ,NOON HELD ! SP1K+ TUBE OV] ! MAN'S
H1D4
  8,C.T YRF LUCKY10 HE SD4 8,D N CROSS
ME AG--& GET BACK 6"W40
  ,! ELEVATOR MAN SI<$1 RU2$ "O KNUCKLE
6HIS =EH1D 9 A P]FUNCTORY GE/URE ( RE-
SPECT1 & RAIS$ 8 H&4 ,X W5T EASILY 96!
SP1K+ TUBE1 !N "SH[ ALL ! RE/ ( HM 0
SUCK$ UP Z WELL1 Z IF ! TUBE 7 A VACUUM
CL1N] &! MAN 0 COLLAPSI#4
  ,:5 HE 0 G"O1 ,NOON SPOKE 96! TUBE AG4
  8,Z WE 4CUSS$4 ,EXPRESS & SMOO?4 ,L[]
,GR.D TW5TY-TWELVE4 ,! ,UPP] ,COAL ,CEL-
L> ,5TRY40
  ,>?UR SUPPRESS$ A %U4]4 ,T S.D$   #BAC
L A L;G WAY AWAY F ANY": HE KNEW4 ,) T
?"\ CAME A WAVE ( NEGATIV;Y4 ,"EY?+ 0
TOO DI6ICULT1 TOO H>D4 ,HE MI<T Z WELL
GIVE UP4
  ..,H[ C ,I SAVE "EY"O F ! .PLAGUE8 !
DEPRESS$ SEC;N ( 8 M9D SD4 ..,I C'T EV5
SAVE MYF F .IMPRISON;T4
  .,/OP .X6 ,>?UR TOLD ? "P ( HMF4
..,SUZY &! ,W >E FREE4 ,I'VE / GOT !
,KEY4 ,"! W 2 ! *.E 6D "S?+4 ,"! HAS TO
.BE4 '''













                                    #BAD
























             ,*APT] ,F\RTE5         #BAE

  ,! ,UPP] ,COAL ,CELL> ,5TRY 0 A RICK-
ETY WOOD5 PLAT=M ON ! $GE (A BLA/$ PLA94
,A VA/ PANORAMA ( OP5 SPACE1 DIMLY LIT
0! B1MS ( ONLY ?REE OR F\R ELEVATORS4 ,Z
9 ! ,L[] ,ATRIUM1 "! 0 A CEIL+ ABV !
PLAT=M1 B UNLIKE ! ,ATRIUM ! CEIL+ "H 0
FLAT1 N DOM$1 & X 0 M* HI<] UP4
  ,>?UR 0 M>*$ \ ONTO ! PLAT=M )9 8 BOX
( ,-MIS.NAIRES4 ,Z 8 EYES ADJU/$ 6! DIM
LI<T1 HE SAW T ! PLA9 2Y ! PLAT=M 0 N A
TOT,Y F1TURE.S EXPANSE Z HE'D ?"\4 ,"! 0
"S?+ 9 ! MI4LE4
  ,A CIRCUL> PAT* ( TOTAL D>K;S4
  ,A HUGE HOLE1 AT L1/ HALF A MILE 9 DI-
AMET] &(A DEP? UNSE5 & UN"KA#4
  8,YES10 SD ,NOON1 :O _H BE5 WAT*+ ,>-
?UR4 8,T PIT IS ! ,DEEP ,COAL ,CELL>4
,S]G1NT6 ,M>* ! PRISON] 6! $GE40
  ,"! 0 A PA?WAY F ! ELEVATOR PLAT=M 6!
PIT4 ,X 0 PAV$ ) :ITE /"O T REPELL$ !
BLACK DU/ T LAY "EY": ELSE1 DU/ T BILL[$
UP Z !Y PASS$4 ,COAL DU/1 ,>?UR GUESS$ X
WAS4 ,HE HOP$ HE WASN'T BR1?+ X 9 & T X
WDN'T / 2 9 8 LUNGS :5 ''' IF '''   #BAF
HE "E GOT BACK HOME4 ,HE'D RE,Y NE$ !
,KEY !N1 6KEEP ON BR1?+4 ,"! 0 NO WAY 8
POOR LUNGS CD SURVIVE COAL DU/ AL;G )
"EY?+ ELSE4
  ,Z ! ,-MIS.NAIRES M>*$1 _! LEGS O3A.N-
,Y SQU1K+ = WANT ( OIL1 ,>?UR TRI$ 6/AY
CALM4 ,SUZY _H RETRIEV$ ! ,W1 & SURELY X
WD -E LOOK+ = HM4 ,?\< ,DUSK _H SD T ? 0
"O PLACE ! ,W WDN'T D>E G1 2C X FE>$ !
,OLD ,"O4
  ..,T DOESN'T S.D .GD1 :ISP]$ ! DEF1TI/
"P ( ,>?UR'S M9D4 ..,/UCK 9 A PRISON PIT
) "S CR1TURE CALL$ ! ,OLD .,"O4
  8,Y W N 2 AL"O D[N "!10 SD ,NOON4 ,HE
LOOK$ AT ,>?UR "K+LY1 Z IF HE _H J R1D 8
M9D4 8,"! >E "S ,H\SE ,D5IZ5S D[N "!1
DEMOT$ 6! MO/ M5IAL ( TASKS1 *IPP+ COAL
6SIZE & S =?4 ,!Y W N D>E BO!R Y4 ,B "!
IS "O O!R1 :O Y %D /AY AWAY F1 IF Y VAL-
UE YR LIFE & SAN;Y4 ,HE IS CALL$ ! ,OLD
,"O1 & HE IS N 6BE TRIFL$ )4 ,KEEP AWAY
F HM1 & Y W M]ELY SU6] F ! COLD1 ! DAMP1
&! COAL DU/40
  8,H[ W ,I "K ! ,OLD ,"O IF ,I SEE HM80
ASK$ ,>?UR4 ,HE TRI$ 6S.D DEFIANT   #BAG
B X DIDN'T -E \ T WAY4 ,8 VOICE S.D$
SQU1KY & SMALL4 ,HE CLE>$ 8 ?ROAT & TRI$
AG1 8,& H[ AM ,I SUPPOS$ 6GET \ ( "H1 IF
,I D WANT 6GIVE ,MI/] ,MON"D ! ,KEY80
  8,Y'LL "K ! ,OLD ,"O10 SD ,NOON4 ,HE
SMIL$ 8 COLD SMILE1 :ITE TEE? GL1M+4
8,HE'S H>D 6MISS4 ,Z ,I SD1 AVOID HM1 IF
Y C4 ,Z = GETT+ \1 J SAY MY "N ?REE "TS4
,MON"D'S ,NOON4 ,I'LL -E & FET* Y4 ,OR
,I'LL S5D "S"O 6TAKE C>E (! MATT]40
  ,!Y >RIV$ AT ! $GE (! PIT Z ,NOON F9-
I%$ SP1K+4 ,! ,-MIS.NAIRES /OPP$ "R AT !
LIP1 ) ONLY 9*ES SEP>AT+ _! TOES F !
VOID4 ,>?UR PE]$ PA/ !M1 D[N 96D>K;S4
,HE CD N SEE H[ DEEP ! PIT WAS1 OR ANY
LI<TS 2L4
  ,NOON TOOK \ 8 NOTEBOOK & TORE \ A
PAGE4 ,HE QKLY FOLD$ ? PAGE 96! %APE (
TWO W+S1 S]RAT+ ! $GES )A SMALL KNIFE TO
GIVE ! IMPRES.N ( F1!RS4 ,!N HE WROTE A
^W ON EA* SMALL PAP] W+ & %OOK !M SL[LY4
,) EA* %AKE1 !Y GREW BI7]1 UNTIL ,NOON 0
HOLD+ A PAIR ( F1!RY W+S Z TALL Z ,>?UR4
,!Y 7 PURE :ITE & GL[+1 B ": ,NOON HELD
!M1 BLACK 9K TRICKL$ D[N F 8 F+]S   #BAH
L BLOOD4
  8,LET ME "?10 ,NOON 9/RUCT$ ! ,-MIS.N-
AIRES4 ,!Y /EPP$ ASIDE 6LET HM PASS1 B !
"O CLOSE/ 6! PIT ?"\.SLY /EPP$ \ 96NO?+4
,HE MADE NO EF=T 6SAVE HMF OR GRAB !
$GE4 ,HE J FELL 96! VOID1 )\T MAK+ A
S.D1 SAVE ! SI< (! AIR "P+4 ,>?UR DIDN'T
HE> HM HIT ! BOTTOM4
  ,NOON FR[N$1 %OOK 8 H1D1 & MUTT]$ "S?+
AB 89F]IOR M]*&ISE40 ,!N HE SU45LY
SLAPP$ ! W+S ONTO ,>?UR'S BACK & PU%$ !
BOY EXTREMELY H>D--96! PIT6
  ,>?UR FELT ! W+S ATTA* !MVS 6HIS %\LD]
BLADES4 ,X 0 A WEIRD S5S,N4 ,N EXACTLY
PA9;L1 B N PL1SANT4 ,R L HAV+ A TOO?
FILL$ AT ! D5TI/1 ) AN 9JEC;N REMOV+ !
PA9 B N ! VIBR,N4 ,! %OCK ( ? SU45 AT-
TA*;T & !N ! NEXT %OCK Z 8 W+S SPR1D &
SL[$ 8 FALL TOOK ,>?UR'S M9D (F ! FACT T
HE _H J BE5 PU%$ 96AN APP>5TLY BOTTOM.S
PIT4 ,0! "T ? _H REGI/]$1 8 W+S 7 B1T+
H>D1 & HE 0 FALL+ V SL[LY1 NO FA/] ?AN A
SPID] LEISURELY DESC5D+ ON H] WEB4
  ,UP ABV1 & F> 2H HM N[1 ,>?UR HE>D
,NOON LAU<+1 & !N ! TROMP (! MET-   #BAI
AL ,-MIS.NAIRES' BOOTS ^U ! :ITE PAVE-
/"OS Z !Y M>*$ AWAY4
  8,I'LL N"E CALL Y10 :ISP]$ ,>?UR4 ,HE
CLUT*$ ! ,KEY TI<TLY 9 8 H&4 ,8 VOICE
CAME BACK1 /R;G1 ANGRY1 & L\D4 8,I'LL
F9D A WAY \4 ,I'LL SORT Y \ & ,MI/]
,MON"D &! :OLE LOT ( Y60
  8,T'S ! _S60 SD A S(T VOICE NE> HM 9 !
D>K;S4 ,SURPRIS$1 ,>?UR LA%$ \ )! ,KEY1
B ! METAL MET NO RESI/.E4 ,HE 0 / FALL+
SL[LY1 & "! 0 NO?+ >.D HM B AIR & D>K;S4
  ,OR 0 "!8 ,>?UR RAIS$ ! ,KEY & SD1
8,LI<T6 ,%$ LI<T60
  ,! ,KEY %"O ) SU45 B"R LI<T1 CA/+ A
GLOBE ( ILLUM9,N >.D ,>?UR & 8 B1T+ W+S4
,9 ! LI<T ,>?UR SAW ANO!R W+$ FIGURE1
MAT*+ ! SPE$ ( 8 FALL4 ,A MAN1 ALL 9
BLACK1 8 BLACK W+S Z GLOSSY & D>K Z A
RAV5'S1 ) N A T\* ( :ITE4
  8,MON"D'S ,DUSK10 SPAT ,>?UR4 8,:AT D
Y WANT80
  8,X SEEMS ! ,KEY'S P[]S >E N ALL UN"KN
6Y1 Z ,NOON WD H X10 :ISP]$ ,DUSK4 ,>?UR
CD H>DLY HE> HM OV] ! B1T+ ( BO? _! W+S4
8,Z 6:AT ,I WANT1 ,I WANT 6HELP     #BBJ
Y1 ,>?UR4 ,Y H BE5 *OS5 0! ,W4 ,Y HOLD !
,M9UTE ,KEY (! ,L[] ,H\SE40
  8,:AT80 ASK$ ,>?UR4 ,SURELY ? 0 "S
SORT ( TRICK4 8,>5'T Y L ,MON"D'S "R-H&
MAN OR "S?+80
  8,NOON SITS AT ! ,MA/]'S "R H&1 ,DAWN
AT 8 LEFT4 ,DUSK /&S 2H1 9 ! %AD[S4 ,YET
"S"TS X IS EASI] 6SEE ! LI<T :5 Y /& "P-
LY 9 ! D>K;S4 ,MON"D 0 N ALW Z HE IS N[4
,NOR 7 ,NOON & ,DAWN4 ,! ,L[] ,H\SE 0 N
! %AM#S X HAS 2COME4 ,ALL ( ? HAS L$ ME
SL[LY ''' OH S SL[LY ''' 6-E 6! 3CLU.N T
"S?+ M/ 2 D"O4 ,I HELP$ ! ,W FREE XF1 BY
GIV+ AN ,9SPECTOR A BOX ( SNUFF4 ,N[ ,I
W HELP Y 0GIV+ Y "S ADVICE40
  ,>?UR SNORT$ 9 4BELIEF4 ,? 0 S OBVI\S4
,HE'D SE5 X A MILLION "TS ON TELEVI.N4
,GD COP1 BAD COP4 ,NOON _H D"O ! BAD COP
ACT1 N[ X 0 ,DUSK'S TURN4 ,HE 0 PRETTY
3V9C+ AT X1 ?\<4
  8,Y %D TALK 6! ,OLD ,"O4 ,! O!RS =GET
T :ILE HE OPPOS$ ! ,>*ITECT1 HE DOES N
HATE ,H] "W4 ,Y >E "O SMALL "P ( T1 & S
HE W 2 9T]E/$ & W N H>M Y4 ,ASK HM AB !
,IMPROBA# ,/AIR4 ,USE ! K HE        #BBA
GIVES Y40
  8,:Y %D ,I TRU/ Y80 ASK$ ,>?UR4
  8,:Y TRU/ ANY"O80 ,DUSK REPLI$1 S QUI-
ETLY T ,>?UR CD N HE> HM & _H 6REP1T 8
"Q4 ,DUSK FLEW CLOS]1 UNTIL 8 FACE 0
CLOSE 5 6T\*1 ! TIPS ( 8 EBONY W+S ALM
BRU%+ ,>?UR'S SN[Y "OS ) E =W>D B1T4
  8,:Y TRU/ ANY"O80 HE SD AG4 8,! ,W
WANTS XS WAY4 ,MON"D WANTS 8 WAY1 Z D !
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L1D TO8 ,2 CAUTI\S1 ,>?UR60
  ,ON ! LA/ ^W1 ,DUSK'S W+S B1T M /R;GLY
& HE ROSE1 :ILE ,>?UR 3T9U$ 6FALL4 ,>?UR
_H NO 3TROL OV] ! W+S ,NOON _H MADE =
HM4 ,!Y M]ELY SL[$ 8 FALL1 L A P>A*UTE1
ONLY BETT]4
  ,>?UR _H A L;G "T 6?9K AB :AT ,DUSK _H
SD4 ,8 W+S KEPT B1T+ & HE KEPT FALL+1
UNTIL HE GREW US$ 6! MO;N & X EV5 MADE
HM SLEEPY4 ,! ,DEEP ,COAL ,CELL> 0 DEEP
9DE$1 DEEP] ?AN ANY PIT OR M9E ,>?UR _H
"E HE>D ( 9 8 [N _W1 SAVE ! OC1N TR5*ES
": /RANGE LIFE-=MS DWELL$4
  ,F9,Y "! 0 AN 5D 6! 9T]M9A# FALL+4
,>?UR _H A BRIEF W>N+ Z 8 W+S       #BBB
SU45LY D\#D _! EF=TS1 B1T+ FURI\SLY S HE
CAME 6A -PLETE /OP4 ,!N !Y DETA*$ !MVS1
DUMP+ ,>?UR ! LA/ ?REE OR F\R FEET ONTO
H>D1 WET GR.D4 ,HE L&$ )A SPLA% & FELL
OV]1 SOAK+ HMF & ALM LOS+ ! ,KEY4 ,A
SECOND LAT]1 TWO %R$D$ PIECES ( PAP]
FELL NEXT 6HM1 62COME LUMPS ( WET PULP4
  ,! WAT] 0 ONLY A FEW 9*ES DEEP4 ,LL M
?AN A PU4LE1 ?\< X 0 N AN ISOLAT$ "O4
,>?UR HELD UP ! ,KEY S XS LI<T %$ F>!R &
SAW T "! 7 PU4LES ( WAT] "EY":4 ,BLACK
WAT]1 LY+ /AGNANT 9 POOLS 2T /RET*ES (
M>G9,Y DRI] GR.D T 7 A F\L1 MU4Y MIXTURE
( COAL DU/ & WAT]4
  ,"! 7 AL PILES ( COAL4 ,LOTS & LOTS (
SMALL PYRAMIDS FIVE OR SIX FEET HI< _H
BE5 LABORI\SLY PIL$ UP E FIVE Y>DS OR S4
,>?UR TOOK A LOOK AT ! CLOSE/ PILE4 ,UN-
LIKE ! P]FECTLY EV5 PIECES T HE'D SE5
,SUZY USE1 ! COAL "H 0 ALL MIS%AP5 LUMPS
( V DI6]5T SIZES4 ,Z HE WALK$ >.D1 ,>?UR
SAW T ! PYRAMIDS 7 AL ( DI6]5T SIZES1 &
"S 7 M* BETT] ORD]$ ?AN O!RS4 ,A FEW "TS
HE SAW COLLAPS$ PYRAMIDS T 7 J DUMPS (
LOOSE COAL4                         #BBC
  ,Z ,NOON _H PROMIS$1 X 0 COLD Z WELL Z
DAMP4 ..,AT L1/ ! WAT] KEEPS ! COAL DU/
.D[N1 ,>?UR ?"\1 ?\< X BILL[$ UP Z HE
MOV$ >.D4 ,B HE _H 6KEEP MOV+ 2C X 0 TOO
COLD 6/AY /4 ,IF ,SUZY 0 "R & HE DIDN'T
NE$ 6EAT1 !N HE SUPPOS$ HE CD KEEP MOV+
ALL ! "T4
  ,EXCEPT T %E _HN'T SD ANY?+ AB N NE$+
6SLEEP & ,>?UR .0 TIR$4 ,!Y _H %IFTS "H1
HE KNEW1 S PRESUMABLY T M1NT ! P--OR
,D5IZ5S1 Z !Y SEEM$ 6BE CALL$--DID
SLEEP4
  ,HOPE;LLY ! ,KEY WD PROTECT HM F GETT+
PNEUMONIA OR A COLD1 IF X 0 POSSI# 6CAT*
S* ?+S "H1 DESPITE ,SUZY'S OP9ION4 ,B X
WD 2 A MIS]A# EXP]I;E TRY+ 6SLEEP ON A
PILE ( COAL 9 ! COLD & WET4
  ,>?UR KEPT W1V+ 2T ! PILES ( COAL Z HE
?"\ AB :AT HE 0 GO+ 6D4 ,%D HE TRU/
,DUSK8 ,"O (! LA/ ?+S ! ,W _H M5;N$ 0 !
,IMPROBA# ,/AIR1 Z A POSSI# M1NS ( GETT+
6,MI/] ,MON"D'S ,"DROOM4 ,DUSK _H TALK$
AB ! ,IMPROBA# ,/AIR TOO4 ,P]H X 0 A WAY
\ ( "H Z WELL Z A WAY 96,MON"D'S ROOMS4
  ,B 6F9D \ HE WD NE$ 6F9D ! ,OLD   #BBD
,"O & RISK TALK+ 6HM4 ,>?UR _H NOT$ !
%IV] T _H G"O "? ,DAWN &! ,-MIS.NAIRE
,S]G1NTS :5 ! ,OLD ,"O _H BE5 M5;N$4 ,!Y
7 AFRAID ( HM1 T 0 = SURE4 ,&! ,W M/ AL
FE> ! ,OLD ,"O1 ,>?UR 3CLUD$1 OR ,NOON &
,MON"D WD N"E H LEFT HM D[N "H )! ,KEY4
  ,HE CDN'T ?9K ( AN ALT]NATIVE4 ,: M1NT
T HE _H 6GET ME?ODICAL AB F9D+ ! ,OLD
,"O4 ,! PIT 0 ONLY A HALF MILE 9 DIAME-
T]1 ?\< _M MILES DEEP4 ,IF ,>?UR KEPT
TRACK ( ": HE'D BE51 HE %D 2 A# 6SE>* !
:OLE PIT 9 A GRID PATT]N1 ?\< X WD N 2
QK "W4
  ,! OBVI\S WAY WD 2 6TAKE A FEW COALS
(F EA* PYRAMID & SET !M D[N 9 A PATT]N4
,S :5"E HE CAME 6A PYRAMID HE WD "K IF
HE'D BE5 T WAY 2F4
  ,>?UR SI<$ & W5T 6! CLOSE/ PYRAMID4
,HE _H J R1*$ OV] 6LIFT (F A BIG *UNK (
COAL F ! TOP :5 "S"O SPRANG UP F ! O!R
SIDE1 BR&I%+ A W1PON & SQU1L+4
  8,HO6 ,/OP6 ,UNH& MY COAL1 Y RU6IAN60


             ,*APT] ,FIFTE5         #BBE

  8,^? >E MY COALS1 VILLA960 3T9U$ !
MAN4 ,!N HE SAW ! ,KEY 9 ,>?UR'S H& & 9
MID-BR1? *ANG$ 8 T"O1 IMMLY L[]+ !
/RANGE METAL IMPLE;T HE 0 BR&I%+4 8,OH1
N Y1 SIR1 :O"E Y MAY BE4 ,I AM REF]R+ TO
"S"O ELSE4 ,"! HE GOES60
  ,PUZZL$1 ,>?UR LOOK$ ": ! MAN PO9T$4
,B "! 0 NO "O "!4
  8,I'LL J GET BACK 6"W !N1 SIR10 A4$ !
MAN4 ,HE 0 DRESS$ 9 ! SAME BASIC TOGA-L
ROBE T ! ELEVATOR OP]ATOR _H BE5 REDUC$
TO1 ?\< ? "O 0 BLACK Z ! COAL & V TAT-
T]$4 ,HE 0 AL %ORT1 A H1D %ORT] ?AN ,>-
?UR1 ?\< HE O!RWISE _H ! PHYSIQUE (A
GR[N MAN4
  8,:O >E Y80 ASK$ ,>?UR4
  8,COAL-,COLLATOR ,V ,ORD9>Y ,T5?
,GRADE10 REPORT$ ! MAN4 8,NUMB]
#IFFEGHEEEC 9 PREC$;E40
  8,I M1N :AT'S YR "N80
  8,OH1 ,I HAV5'T GOT A "N1 N ANYMORE4
,V FEW ( U D[N "H H "NS1 ,YR ,EXCELL5CY4
,N :AT Y WD CALL "NS1 NO1 SIR4 ,MAY ,I G
N[80                                #BBF
  8,WELL1 :AT .0 YR "N80 ASK$ ,>?UR4 8,&
:AT 7 Y 2F Y 7 D[N "H80
  8,T'S A CRUEL "Q1 & NO MISTAKE10 SD !
MAN4 ,HE WIP$ A TE> F 8 EYE4 8,B "!'S !
,KEY 9 YR H&1 S ,I M/ ANSW]4 ,I 0 CALL$
,PRAVUIL1 SIR1 ,T5? ,ASSI/ANT ,DEPUTY
,CL]K ( ,/>S4 ,I C.T$ SUNS 9 ! ,SECOND>Y
,R1LMS1 ,I DID1 SIR1 & KEPT _! RECORDS4
,TILL ,I 0 ASK$ 6AM5D ! PAP]"W P]TA9+ 6A
C]TA9 SUN4 ,I ''' AH ''' REFUS$ & 0 CA/
F ON HI<40
  8,I DON'T WANT TO ''' ,I DON'T WANT TO
UPSET Y10 SD ,>?UR4 8,B :AT D Y D D[N
"H80
  8,I COLLATE ! COAL 96PILES10 EXPLA9$
,PRAVUIL4 ,HE 9DICAT$ ! PYRAMIDS4 8,!N
"O (! ,COAL-,*IPP]S -ES & CUTS ! COALS
6SIZE & PUTS !M 9 A REQUE/ BASKET1 :
TAKES !M UP 6:O"E ORD]$ COAL1 PROBABLY S
L;G AGO !Y'VE =GOTT5 :AT A FIRE IS & BE-
-E US$ 6%IV]+40
  8,BASKETS80 ASK$ ,>?UR4 8,:AT K9D (
BASKETS8 ,H[ D !Y GET TAK5 UP80
  8,I SEE YR ?9K+1 SIR10 REPLI$
,PRAVUIL4 8,ESCAPE1 T'S :AT Y'RE    #BBG
?9K+4 ,LAX PROC$URES4 ,"S"O Y'LL WANT TO
PUNI%4 ,B X'S N S4 ,! BASKETS >E SMALL &
!Y -E ) ACTIVE LABELS4 ,! LABELS TAKE !M
": !Y'RE SUPPOS$ 6G4 ,& IF Y'RE ?9K+ T A
LABEL MI<T 2 DETA*$ & US$ 6TRANSPORT "S-
"O1 Y'D 2 WR;G1 Z ,B>ENECK WD TELL Y IF
HE C "E F9D 8 H1D D[N "H40
  8,B>ENECK80
  8,T'S :AT WE CALL HM4 ,HE TOOK A LABEL
(F A BASKET & TI$ X >.D 8 NECK10 SD
,PRAVUIL )A SNIFF4 8,I TOLD HM X 0 /U-
PID1 B HE WDN'T LI/54 ,! LABEL W5T UP1 B
X DIDN'T TAKE ANY ( ,B>ENECK ) X4 ,CUT
CL1N "? 8 NECK X DID1 &! H1D ROLL$ (F
"S": & 8 BODY BL"U$ >.D KNOCK+ COAL ALL
OV] ! PLACE4 ,I EXPECT HE'LL F9D X EV5-
TU,Y4 ,8 H1D1 ,I M1N4 ,OR "S"O ELSE W40
  ,>?UR %U4]$ & LOOK$ >.D1 HALF EXPECT+
6SEE A H1D.S MAN GROP+ >.D 9 ! D>K;S1 =-
"E SE>*+ = 8 H1D4 ,OR EV5 WORSE1 ! H1D
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WAY 6-MUNICATE1 IMMUR$ "U ! COAL4
  8,I'M N 9VE/IGAT+ ANY?+10 SD ,>?UR4
8,I H ! ,KEY1 B ,I'M N AN (FICIAL (!
,H\SE4 ,OR A FR ( ,MI/] ,MON"D4     #BBH
,I'M A MORTAL1 F \TSIDE40
  8,:AT"E Y SAY1 SIR10 ,PRAVUIL SD1 )
UNVEIL$ SUSPICION4 ,CLE>LY HE ?"\ ,>?UR
0 TRY+ 6TRICK HM 96"S?+4 8,I'LL 2 GETT+
ON ) MY "W40
  8,2F Y G1 C Y TELL ME ''' OR %[ ME '''
": ! ,OLD ,"O IS D[N "H80
  ,PRAVUIL %IV]$ & MADE A GE/URE ) 8 H&4
  8,DON'T G NE> HM60 HE W>N$4 8,! ,OLD
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BACK60
  8,I H TO10 SD ,>?UR SL[LY4 ,AT L1/1 HE
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8,! COAL W N 2 ORD]$ "!4 ,NO "O D>E
SWEEP >.D ! ,OLD ,"O40
  8,?ANK Y10 SD ,>?UR4 8,I HOPE Y >E RE-
/OR$ 6YR OLD POSI;N "O "D40
  ,PRAVUIL %RU7$ & RESUM$ "W4 ,! /RANGE
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: ,PRAVUIL !N /ACK$4                #BBI
  ,>?UR />T$ 9 ! DIREC;N T ,PRAVUIL _H
9DICAT$4 ,A FEW SECONDS AF ! LI<T F !
,KEY _H LEFT ! ,COAL-,COLLATOR 2H1 8
VOICE E*O$ \ (! D>K;S4
  8,DON'T /AY PA/ TWELVE60
  8,:AT DOES T M1N80
  ,"! 0 NO ANSW]4 ,>?UR /OPP$ 6LI/51 B
"! 0 ONLY SIL;E4 ,:5 HE RETRAC$ 8 /EPS
6ASK AG1 "! 0 NO SIGN ( ,PRAVUIL4 ,"! 0
ONLY ! PYRAMID ( COAL HE'D BE5 "W+ ON1 )
A FEW NEW PIECES ON TOP4
  8,EXCELL5T10 MUTT]$ ,>?UR 6HMF4 8,M
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,TRU/ ! ,W4 ,DON'T TRU/ ! ,W4 ,I WI% "S-
"O WD TELL ME "S?+ /RAI<T=W>D = ONCE40
  ,HE PAUS$ Z IF "! MI<T 2 AN ANSW]1 B (
C\RSE "! WASN'T4 ,>?UR %OOK 8 H1D & />T$
(F AG4 ,6MAKE SURE T HE CD F9D 8 WAY
BACK IF HE NE$$ TO1 HE TOOK (F T5 PIECES
( COAL F ! F/ PYRAMID & /ACK$ X 9 A PAT-
T]N AT ! BASE4 ,AT ! NEXT PYRAMID1 HE
TOOK N9E PIECES1 EI<T F ! NEXT1 & S ON1
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US$ A SEP>ATE PIECE ( COAL 69DI-    #BCJ
CATE X 0 ! SECOND PROGRES.N4
  ,0! "T HE'D REP1T$ ? PROC$URE ACR "O
HUNDR$ & TW5TY-SIX PYRAMIDS ( COAL1 ,>-
?UR 0 D\BT+ S"EAL ?+S4 ,F/1 T HE WD "E
F9D ! ,OLD ,"O1 SECOND1 T ,PRAVUIL _H
%[N HM ! "R DIREC;N1 & ?IRD1 T ! PIT HE
0 9 0 ONLY ! SIZE X APPE>$ 6BE F XS ABV-
GR.D OP5+4
  ,HE 0 AL GETT+ V COLD1 DESPITE ! 3/ANT
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WI%$ = "S?+ 6EAT1 2C X WD W>M HM UP4 ,AT
L1/ HE ?"\ X WD4 ,C]TA9LY X WD RELIEVE !
BOREDOM ( TREKK+ "? ? FREEZ+1 WET1 D>K
DUMP (A PLACE ) NO?+ B COAL "EY":4
  ,2C HE 0 TIR$1 ,>?UR _H BE5 HOLD+ !
,KEY L[] & L[] 0HIS SIDE1 S ! CIRCLE (
LI<T X %$ >.D HM _H GR[N SMALL] & SMALL-
]1 UNTIL X 0 ONLY ILLUM9AT+ ! GR.D >.D 8
FEET4 ,2Y T LI<T LAY ONLY D>K;S1 UNTIL
,>?UR SU45LY CAU<T A GLIMPSE ( "S?+ T 0
N ILLUM9AT$ 0! ,KEY OR A REFLEC;N4 ,X 0
ANO!R LI<T4 ,A BLUE1 %IMM]+ LI<T1 Z IF
"! 0 A GAS FIRE "S": AH1D4
  ,>?UR RAIS$ ! ,KEY HI<] & WALK$ FA/]4
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G1NTS _H BE5 G5U9ELY AFRAID (! ,OLD ,"O1
Z _H ,PRAVUIL4 ,EXCIT$1 2C X 0 "S?+ DIF-
F]5T F COLD PU4LES & COAL4 ,HE MI<T 2 A#
6GET FOOD OR1 EV5 BETT]1 F9D A WAY \4
  ,Z HE GOT CLOS] 6! LI<T1 ,>?UR SL[$
D[N & HELD ! ,KEY / HI<]4 ,HE DIDN'T
WANT 6BE SURPRIS$ 0ANY?+4 ,E %AD[ 2H A
PYRAMID ( COAL PROMIS$ "S SORT ( AMBU%1
B ! PYRAMIDS 7 GETT+ FEW]1 Z 7 ! PU4LES4
,HE 0 -+ 6OP5 GR.D4 ,DRI]1 HI<] GR.D4
,"! 0 EV5 LESS (! MU4Y COAL DU/ 2N 8
FEET & M PAT*ES ( DRY /"O4
  ,AT ! LA/ PYRAMID ( COALS1 ,>?UR CR\*$
D[N 6LOOK AT :AT LAY AH1D4 ,HE _H 6BL9K
A LOT1 S9CE X 0 H>D 6SEE 9 ! /RANGE -BI-
N,N ( LI<T F ! ,KEY &! %IMM]+ BLUE RADI-
.E T BA!D ! >EA AH1D4
  ,HE SAW A RAIS$ CIRCUL> PLAT=M1 R L A
L[ /AGE MADE ( /"O1 AB SIXTY FEET 9 DI-
AMET]4 ,"! 7 ,ROMAN NUM]ALS SET UP"R >.D
! $GE (! PLAT=M1 & TWO L;G PIECES ( MET-
AL ISSU$ \ F A C5TRAL PIVOT1 "O PIECE
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! L;G] PIECE ( METAL MOV$ A LL1 PRO-
GRESS+ AL;G ! RIM4
  ,X 0 A M9UTE H&1 ,>?UR SU45LY R1LIZ$4
,! CIRCUL> PLAT=M 0 A CLOCK FACE4 ,A GI-
ANT CLOCK FACE LAID FLAT4 ,B T WASN'T !
/RANGE/ ?+4 ,"! 7 *A9S L1D+ F ! 5DS (!
CLOCK H&S T RAN "? "S ME*ANISM ( GE>S &
PULLEYS NE> ! C5TRAL PIVOT T HE CDN'T Q
"W \4 ,! *A9S !N 3NECT$ 6MANACLES ON !
WRI/S (A MAN :O 0 SITT+ NE> ! NUM]AL
SIX4 ,X 0 ! *A9S T %$ ! GLIMM]+ LI<T4
,!Y LOOK$ L /EEL B CD N BE4 ,NO /EEL %"O
) S* A VIVID SPECTRAL BLUE4
  ,NOR 0 ! MAN PRECISELY A MAN1 ,>?UR
?"\1 TAK+ 9 ! SIZE ( HM4 ,HE 0 A GIANT1
EASILY EI<T FEET TALL4 ,HE LOOK$ L "S
SORT ( AG$ B>B>IAN H]O1 ) OV]DEVELOP$
MUSCLES AL;G 8 >MS & LEGS1 ?\< 8 SK9 0
OLD1 WR9KL$1 & "PI,Y TRANSLUC5T S Y CD
SEE ! VE9S4 ,HE WORE ONLY A LO9CLO?1 & 8
H1D 0 %AV$ 6A /UB#4 ,HE SEEM$ 6BE
ASLEEP1 ?\< 8 CLOS$ EYES LOOK$ K9D (
/RANGE4 ,! EYELIDS 7 RAW & R$1 Z IF HE'D
BE5 SUNBURN$4 ,: 0 IMPOSSI# D[N "H4 ,OR
ANY": 9 ! ,H\SE1 = ALL ,>?UR        #BCC
KNEW4
  ,?1 ,>?UR FIGUR$1 M/ 2 ! ,OLD ,"O1 &
HE 0 *A9$ 6! CLOCK'S H&S4 ,>?UR G+]LY
SN1K$ CLOS] 6/UDY ! GE>S & :EELS (! *A9
ME*ANISM4 ,X WASN'T EASY 6"W !M \1 B AF
WAT*+ =A FEW M9UTES1 ,>?UR ?"\ T ! *A9S
WD 2 Q LOOSE >.D HALF-PA/ SIX1 B WD 2 V
TI<T AT TWELVE4 ,9 FACT1 !Y M/ DRAG !
GIANT BACK ALM 6! C5T] (! CLOCK AT NOON
& MIDNI<T4
  ,AT ! MO;T1 ! H&S 7 ON TW5TY-FIVE TO
SEV51 S ! ,OLD ,"O _H 5 SLACK 6SIT NEXT
6! NUM]AL SIX4 ,JUDG+ F ! L5G? (! *A9S
AT T MO;T1 ,>?UR GUESS$ ! PRISON] WD N 2
A# 6MOVE PA/ ! BORD] (! CLOCK FACE4
  ,"! 7 TWO TRAPDOORS ON EI SIDE (! C5-
TRAL PIVOT4 ,BO? 7 ! SIZE ( REGUL>
DOORS1 ) >*$ P1KS4 ,L ! DOORS (A CUCKOO
CLOCK4 ,"SH[ ,>?UR SUSPECT$ X WD N 2
CUCKOOS T CAME \ ( ^! DOORS4
  8,2W>E60 %\T$ ! ,OLD ,"O SU45LY4
  ,>?UR L1P$ BACK & TRIPP$ OV] "S LOOSE
BITS ( COAL4 ,Z HE SCRAB#D 6GET UP AG1
HE HE>D ! RATTLE ( *A9S4 ,PANIC ROSE Z
HE SCRAB#D ON ! GR.D4               #BCD
  ,B HE 0 TOO SL[4 ,! GIANT _H BE5 HOLD+
! *A9S CLOSE AG/ 8 BODY1 64GUISE H[ M*
SLACK HE RE,Y _H1 & 9 AN 9/ANT ! ,OLD
,"O 0 /&+ OV] ,>?UR4 ,HE LOOK$ EV5 TALL]
& M1N] CLOSE UP4 ,8 OP5 EYES W]5'T M*
BETT] ?AN 8 CLOS$ "OS4 ,!Y 7 R$-RIMM$ &
BLOOD%OT4 ,"O PUPIL 0 GOLD &! O!R BLACK4
  8,H Y SE5 5\<1 ,KEY-BE>]80 ASK$ ! ,OLD
,"O Z HE CASU,Y LOOP$ A PIECE ( 8 *A9
OV] ,>?UR'S H1D & PULL$ X TI<T >.D ,>-
?UR'S NECK4 ,>?UR /RUCK AT HM )! ,KEY1 B
X DIDN'T EV5 SCRAT* ! GIANT'S FLE%4 ,"!
0 NO BUR/ ( MOLT5 FLUID1 OR ELECTRIC
SP>KS1 OR ANY?+4 ,>?UR MI<T Z WELL H HIT
HM )A PLA/IC CLOCK H&4
  8,DID YR MA/]S N TELL Y T NO?+ (!
,H\SE C H>M ME80 GR[L$ ! GIANT4 8,& NO?+
( ,NO?+1 SAVE ! CR1TURES ( ? CLOCK1 :O
NI<TLY GNAW & G\GE MY EYES8 ,B ,I GIVE Y
MY ?ANKS =! MO;T ( 5T]TA9;T Y % GIVE ME
Z ,I R5D Y LIMB F LIMB & 3SIGN YR ESS;E
6! VOID60


             ,*APT] ,SIXTE5         #BCE

  8,I'M N F ! ,H\SE60 CROAK$ ,>?UR4
8,I'M N AN 5EMY60
  ,! ,OLD ,"O GR[L$ & TI<T5$ ! *A9 TILL
X HURT4 ,!N HE PULL$ ,>?UR UP"R & SNI6$
! AIR ABV 8 H1D4 ,AF ! ?IRD SNIFF HE
ABRUPTLY LET \ A FEW L9KS ( *A9 S X
WASN'T S TI<T1 ?\< X 0 / >.D ,>?UR'S
NECK4
  8,A MORTAL 9 TRU?10 HE SD 9 A "S:AT
FRLI] T"O4 8,F A _W ,I "K WELL4 ,Y H
RO2$ ME ( MY AMUSE;T1 MANNIK94 ,S Y M/
PROVIDE 0O!R M1NS4 ,H[ -ES A MORTAL 6BE>
! ,LESS] ,KEY (! ,L[] ,H\SE80
  8,! ,W--0 ,>?UR 2GAN1 B 2F HE CD G ON1
! ,OLD ,"O SU45LY LIFT$ ! *A9 OV] ,>-
?UR'S H1D & LET X HANG SLACK4 ,A FEW
SECONDS LAT] BO? ! M9UTE &! H\R H& (!
CLOCK 2H HM MOV$ CLOS] 6TWELVE4 ,! *A9
RATTL$ Z X TI<T5$ & MADE HM /EP BACK4
  ,>?UR GULP$4 ,IF T LOOP ( *A9 _H / BE5
>.D 8 NECK X WD H /RANGL$ HM1 & HE N[
S]I\SLY D\BT$ ,SUZY'S ^WS AB ! DI6ICULTY
( DY+ 9 ! ,H\SE4 ,CLE>LY ! ,OLD ,"O _H !
CAPAC;Y 6KILL--OR EASILY DELIV]     #BCF
"S SORT ( F9AL 5D+ T S.D$ REM>KABLY L
D1?4
  8,SP1K1 MORTAL60 -M&$ ! ,OLD ,"O4
8,TELL ME YR "N4 ,FE> N1 = ,I 0 ALW A FR
6YR FOLK4 ,X IS ! ,>*ITECT :O IS MY FOE4
,I BE> NO ILL W 6! ?+S ,%E HAS WR"\4
,9DE$1 ,I TOO _H A H& 9 YR MAK+ L;G AGO1
?\< ! ,>*ITECT S"\ 6D5Y MY >TI/RY40
  8,MY "N IS ,>?UR ,P5HALIGON10 SD ,>-
?UR4 ,HE SPOKE SL[LY AT F/1 !N SP$ UP Z
HE "W$ X \ 9 8 H1D4 8,I'M N RE,Y SURE :Y
,I H ! ,KEY4 ,! ,W TRICK$ ,MI/] ,MON"D
96GIV+ X 6ME1 B N[ HE WANTS X BACK & T'S
:Y ,I 0 PUT D[N "H1 TILL ,I AGREE 6H& X
OV]4 ,ONLY 2F T ! ,W SD ,I H 6GET ! ,H\R
,H& & TAKE OV] ! ,L[] ,H\SE1 2C T'S !
ONLY WAY T ,I C GET HOME & /OP ! PLAGUE
T ! ,FET*]S BR"\ ) !M4 '''0
  8,HOLD60 -M&$ ! ,OLD ,"O4 8,? IS NO
SIMPLE TALE4 ,Y W 2G9 AT ! 2G9N+1 G ON
6! MI4LE1 & ''' ALR ,I C SEE "! IS N YET
AN 5D4 ,F/ WE W DR9K W9E & EAT H"OY
CAKES40
  8,I WD L A CAKE10 SD ,>?UR4 ,HE LOOK$
>.D 6SEE ": CAKES & W9E MI<T -E     #BCG
F1 B "! 0 NO SIGN ( ANY L>D]1 OR KIT*51
OR WAIT]S1 ?\< NO?+ WD H SURPRIS$ HM AT
T PO9T4
  ,! ,OLD ,"O HELD \ 8 H&1 PALM D[N TO-
W>DS ! GR.D1 & 9TON$3

8,SWEET CAKES ( ALMOND M1L1 /ICKY ) HON-
  EY1
,A DOZ5 PIL$ ON A PLATT] ( WOV5 /RAW4
,A PIT*] ( W9E F ! SUN-KISS$ HILLS1
,FLAVOR$ ) RES9 F ! CRACK-B>K$ P9E40

  ,>?UR FELT ! FLOOR "U 8 FEET %IV] Z !
,OLD ,"O SPOKE4 ,!N ! /"O CRACK$ &
GROAN$ A"P4 ,9 ! FISSURE1 A POOL ( D>K;S
SL[LY ROSE1 TILL X LAPP$ \ & SPR1D ACR !
FLOOR NE> ,>?UR'S FEET4 ,HE /EPP$ BACK Z
! D>K;S *ANG$ COLOR & QKLY COALESC$ 96AN
E>!NW>E JUG &A FLAT-SID$ BASKET FULL (
DELICI\S-LOOK+ SMALL CAKES4
  ,! FISSURE SNAPP$ %UT Z ! ,OLD ,"O B5T
D[N 6PICK UP ! FOOD & W9E4
  8,": DID !Y -E F80 ASK$ ,>?UR4 ,HE
WASN'T SURE HE WANT$ A H"OY CAKE ALL T
BADLY N[4                           #BCH
  8,NO?+ LIES CLOSE 2N U "H10 SD ! ,OLD
,"O4 ,HE UP5D$ ! JUG & P\R$ A 3T9U\S
/R1M ( LI<T-COLOR$ W9E 96HIS M\?4
8,AHHH6 ,IF Y H ! P[]1 OR A TOOL ( P[] L
YR ,KEY1 _M ?+S C 2 BR"\ =? F ,NO?+4 ,AF
ALL1 X IS ": "EY?+ 2GAN4 ,EV5 ! ,>*ITECT
CAME F ,NO?+1 Z DID ,I1 H>D ^U ,H]
HEELS4 ,"H1 DR9K60
  ,HE PASS$ ! JUG4 ,>?UR TOOK X & TRI$
6P\R X Z HE'D J SE54 ,B X 0 M* H>D] ?AN
X LOOK$1 & HE SPLA%$ M W9E ON 8 *9 ?AN
HE GOT 9 8 M\?4 ,:5 HE SWALL[$1 HE WI%$
HE _HN'T GOTT5 ANY W9E 9 AT ALL4 ,X TA/$
HORRI#1 L LICORICE1 & BURN$ 8 ?ROAT4
  ,! H"OY CAKES 7 M* BETT]1 ?\< !Y 7 V
/ICKY4 ,!Y _H PIECES ( ORANGE PEEL ALL
"? !M & 7 S(T & MOI/4 ,>?UR ATE ?REE (
!M 9 QK SU3ES.N4 ,! ,OLD ,"O ATE ! O!R
N9E ) 3SID]A# RELI%4
  8,N[1 TELL ME YR TALE10 -M&$ ! ,OLD
,"O AF HE _H BRU%$ ! LA/ (! CRUMBS F 8
*9 & *E/4 8,& WET YR ?ROAT :5 Y H NE$40
  ,>?UR %OOK 8 H1D AT ! (F]$ JUG4 ,B HE
TOLD ! ,OLD ,"O "EY?+1 F ! F/ APPE>.E (
,MI/] ,MON"D & ,SNEEZ]4 ,! GIANT    #BCI
LI/5$ C>E;LLY1 SITT+ ) "O KNEE UP & 8 *9
RE/$ ^U 8 FI/4 ,E N[ & !N HE MOV$ F ?
POSI;N S T ! *A9S DID N J]K HM BACK :5 !
CLOCK H&S MOV$4
  ,:5 ,>?UR 0 F9I%$1 ! H&S /OOD AT TW5TY
6N9E1 &! ,OLD ,"O 0 KNEEL+ A FEW FEET
9SIDE ! RIM (! CLOCK FACE1 ) ,>?UR SITT+
0! NUM]AL EI<T1 ON ! SAFE SIDE (! M9UTE
H&4 ,X 0 W>M ON ! CLOCK FACE1 A G5TLE
W>M?1 L T GIV5 0! SUN ON A CLE>1 CALM
W9T]'S "D4 ,>?UR FELT M* M -=TA# ''' &
EXTREMELY TIR$4
  8,? IS A CURI\S TALE10 RUM#D ! GIANT4
8,"O ": ,I M/ WEI< MY "P4 ,X IS TRUE ,I
AM ! 5EMY (! ,>*ITECT ^: ,W HAS MADE Y
XS AG5T4 ,YET ,I AM N ! FR ( ,MI/] ,MON-
"D OR ! ,MORR[ ,"DS1 ^: PETTY USURP,N (-
F5DS ME M ?AN ANY 5M;Y ,I H =! ,>*ITECT4
,YET %D ,I HELP Y1 H9D] Y1 OR SIMPLY LET
BE8 ,I M/ ?9K ON X4 ,RE/ "H1 ,>?UR1 TILL
,I "K MY M9D40
  ,>?UR NO4$ SLEEPILY4 ,HE 0 V1 V TIR$ &
X WD 2 EXTREMELY EASY 6/RET* \ "H & TAKE
A NAP4 ,B "! 7 ^? CREEPY DOORS AT ! C5T]
(! CLOCK1 & ,PRAVUIL'S W>N+4 '''    #BDJ
,EV5 IF ! ,KEY KEPT HM SORT ( SAFE1 HE
DIDN'T WANT 6SU6] PA94
  8,W Y PROMISE 6WAKE ME 2F TWELVE80 HE
ASK$4 ,! ,OLD ,"O SEEM$ TRU/WOR?Y1 AT
L1/ 6! EXT5T T HE WD KEEP A SMALL PROM-
ISE L T4
  8,TWELVE80 ASK$ ! ,OLD ,"O4 ,HE TOO
LOOK$ AT ! DOORS4 8,I %D N POND] = S
L;G40
  8,D Y PROMISE80 ASK$ ,>?UR AG4 ,HE CD
B>ELY GET ! ^WS \1 8 JAW AN EF=T 6MOVE1
& 8 EYES S H1VY !Y 7 9EXORABLY SLID+
%UT4
  8,I W WAKE Y 2F TWELVE10 3FIRM$ ! ,OLD
,"O4
  ,>?UR SMIL$ & COLLAPS$ ONTO ! W>M
CLOCK FACE4 ,! ,OLD ,"O WAT*$ HM1 TURN+
8 H&S S T ! *A9S CLANK$ QUIETLY TGR4
  8,B H[ L;G 2F TWELVE1 ,I D N "K10 :IS-
P]$ ! ,OLD ,"O A M9UTE LAT]4 ,HE LOOK$
AT ! DOORS AG & HOOD$ 8 EYES4 8,% ,I LET
!M H YR SI<T S T ,I MI<T SLEEP A S+LE
NI<T )\T TORTURE8 ,OR % ,I SU6] Z ,I ALW
SU6]1 & GIVE Y :AT HELP ,I C80
                                    #BDA
  ,>?UR 0 WOK5 0A %\T1 A %\T T FILL$ 8
:OLE BODY ) S.D4 ,X FELT L ! S.D HURL$
HM UP"R1 ?\< X 0 ACTU,Y 8 ADR5AL9E-SPIK$
MUSCLES4
  8,WAKE1 ,>?UR6 ,RUN6 ,RUN1 OR !Y W H
Y60
  ,=A FROZ5 MO;T1 ,>?UR /OOD DAZ$ & DIS-
ORI5T$1 ! ,OLD ,"O'S %\T E*O+ 9SIDE 8
H1D4 ,!N A TREM5D\SLY L\D BELL /RUCK "S-
": NE>1 ! VIBR,NS ALM %AK+ HM (F 8 FEET1
L AN E>? TREMOR4 ,AT ! SAME "T HE HE>D !
TWO DOORS NE> ! C5T] (! CLOCK BANG OP51
&A HORRID1 HI<-PIT*$ GI7LE CAME F :AT"E
0 9SIDE4
  ,! NEXT ?+ ,>?UR KNEW HE 0 9 FULL
FLI<T1 TRIPP+ & /UMBL+ (F ! CLOCK FACE1
!N SPR9T+ Z FA/ Z HE CD 6! BORD] ": !
PYRAMIDS ( COAL 2GAN4
  ,HE 0 HALFWAY "! :5 ! BELL TOLL$ AG1
%AK+ ! GR.D ONCE M4 ,OBVI\SLY X 0 !
CLOCK1 /RIK+ NOON OR MIDNI<T4 ,AF !
BELL1 ! HORRI# GI7L+ 3T9U$1 A3OMPANI$ 0!
S.D ( CLOCK"W UNW9D+ &! RAT*ET ( MOV+
GE>S4
  ,>?UR ?REW HMF 2H A PYRAMID (     #BDB
COAL AT ! SAME "T Z ! CLOCK /RUCK =!
?IRD "T4 ,AG1 BO? ! GR.D &! AIR VIBRAT$
)! BELL1 & PIECES ( COAL FELL (F ON !
BOY'S H1D4
  ,0N[ ?OR\<LY AWAKE & ?OR\<LY F"R5$1
,>?UR'S IMM DESIRE 0 6RUN L CRAZY 96!
COAL FIELD4 ,HE WANT$ 6GET AWAY F !
TOLL+ BELL1 ! 9SANE CACKL+1 &! Z++ S.D (
CLOCK"W4 ,! FE> 0 S /R;G T HE TURN$ TO
RUN1 HOLD+ ! ,KEY HI< 6ILLUM9ATE 8 WAY4
,B AF A C\PLE ( /EPS1 HE =C$ HMF 6/OP4
,:AT 0 HE RUNN+ F8 ,J A NOISE & NO?+ M4
,:AT IF HE CDN'T F9D 8 WAY BACK 6! CLOCK
&! ,OLD ,"O8 ,HE / _H 6F9D A WAY \1 &!
,OLD ,"O (F]$ ! BE/ *.E ( T4 ,HE CDN'T
GIVE UP T *.E 2C HE 0 AFRAID (A NOISE4
,>?UR TOOK A DEEP BR1? & TURN$ >.D 6SEE
IF "! ACTU,Y 0 ANY?+ 6BE AFRAID (4
  ,HE _H 6SQU9T 2C ! BLUE LI<T 0 %IMM]+
EV5 B"R] ?AN 2F4 ,! ,OLD ,"O'S >MS 7 2H
8 BACK1 HELD TI<T 0! *A9S AG/ ! H&S (!
CLOCK1 : 7 BO? ON ! TWELVE4 ,8 ANKLES
APPE>$ 6BE /UCK AG/ ! H&S F>!R D[N1 ?\<
,>?UR CDN'T SEE ANY *A9S OR ANY?+ ELSE4
,B X 0 CLE> ! GIANT CDN'T MOVE AT   #BDC
ALL4
  ,! DOORS ON EI SIDE (! C5TRAL PIVOT
SU45LY SLAMM$ OP54 ,Z ,>?UR WAT*$1 A
SMALL FIGURE HOPP$ \ ( EA* DOOR4 ,"O BE-
GAN 6MOVE J]KILY \ T[>DS ! NUM]AL N9E &!
O!R 6! ?REE ON ! OPPOSITE SIDE4
  ,! F/ FIGURE 0 A C>ICATURE (A WOOD*OP-
P]1 A LL MAN 9 GRE5 )A F1!R 9 8 CAP1 NO
TALL] ?AN ,>?UR4 ,HE HELD AN AX T 0 ALM
Z BIG Z HE WAS1 : *OPP$ UP & D[N HALT+LY
Z HE MOV$4 ,! SECOND FIGURE 0 A %ORT FAT
WOMAN ) AN APRON &A FRILLY CAP4 ,%E HELD
A GIANT CORKSCREW1 AT L1/ TWO FEET L;G1
: %E HELD 9 FRONT ( H]1 TURN+ X ) IRREG-
UL> MO;NS Z %E ADV.ED ACR ! CLOCK4
  ,BO? ( !M APPE>$ 6BE MADE ( WOOD1 B
LOOK$ HORRIBLY ALIVE AT ! SAME "T4 ,_!
EYES FLICK]$ F SIDE 6SIDE & _! M\?S
SEEM$ HUMAN1 LIPS CURL$ BACK E FEW SEC-
ONDS 6LET \ _! AW;L GI7L+ NOISE4 ,B _!
>MS 7 N HUMAN AT ALL4 ,!Y 7 JO9T$ L A
PUPPET'S & MOV$ 9 FITS & />TS4 ,_! LEGS
DID N B5D1 B /AY$ /RAI<T1 & !Y PROCE$$
>.D ! CLOCK Z IF !Y 7 ON :EELS1 OR 2+
DRA7$ AL;G 0HI45 WIRES4             #BDD
  ,:5 !Y R1*$ ! N9E &! ?REE1 !Y TURN$
T[>DS ! ,OLD ,"O & ADV.ED ^U HM4 ,Z !
WOODSMAN PASS$ ! T51 HE 2GAN 6*OP FA/]4
,Z ! WOMAN GLID$ PA/ ! TWO1 %E />T$ TO
TURN H] CORKSCREW M RAPIDLY4
  ,>?UR WAT*$ 9 HORROR4 ,! ,OLD ,"O
CDN'T MOVE AT ALL1 CDN'T D ANY?+ 6/OP ^!
HIDE\S PUPPET ?+S4 ,>?UR KNEW !Y 7 9T5T
ON DO+ "S?+ HORRI#4 ,B :AT CD HE D8 ,HE
CDN'T J /& & WAT*4
  ,>?UR LOOK$ AT ! ,KEY1 HEFT$ X L A
KNIFE1 & TOOK A /EP =W>D4
  ,Z HE /EPP$ \ F 2H ! PYRAMID1 ! CLOCK
/RUCK AG1 P]H ! FIF? /ROKE ( XS FULL
TWELVE4 ,Z ! E*OES DI$1 ! WOODSMAN &!
CORKSCREW WOMAN /OPP$ J %ORT (! ,OLD
,"O4 ,>?UR TOOK ANO!R /EP1 & BO? (! PUP-
PET ?+S ROTAT$ 9 PLACE1 />+ BACK AT !
BOY4
  8,NO6 ,DON'T60
  ,"S"O CLUT*$ AT ,>?UR'S SLEEVE4 ,HE
SWUNG >.D1 ! ,KEY R1DY 6/RIKE1 B X 0 ON-
LY ,PRAVUIL4 ,! ,COAL-,COLLATOR GRIPP$
,>?UR'S ELB[ & TRI$ 6DRAG HM BACK 2H !
PYRAMID4                            #BDE
  8,X IS ! ,OLD ,"O'S PUNI%;T4 ,NO?+ C 2
D"O4 ,!Y WD SIMPLY TAKE .YR EYES Z
WELL10 SD ,PRAVUIL4 8,& ,I D N ?9K YRS
WD REGR[ )! SAME FACIL;Y Z ! ,OLD ,"O'S4
,N :5 TAK5 0! CLOCK-M>*]S40
  8,:AT80 ASK$ ,>?UR1 A<A/4 8,!Y TAKE \
8 EYES80
  ,HE GL.ED BACK Z HE SPOKE & WI%$ HE
_HN'T =! MICROSECOND X TOOK HM 6LOOK
AWAY AG4 ,! WOODSMAN &! WOMAN _H ADV.ED
NEXT 6! TWELVE4 ,!Y 7 /&+ ON ! ,OLD
,"O'S *E/1 LOOK+ D[N AT 8 FACE1 & BO? AX
& CORKSCREW 7 AB 6DESC5D4
  8,LET U RETR1T A LL F>!R10 SD ,PRAVUIL
ANXI\SLY4 8,!Y C "S"TS L1VE ! CLOCK
FACE1 Y "K6 ,YES1 X IS 8 EYES = N[1 ?\<
= _M C5TURIES !Y TOOK 8 LIV]40
  8,HIS LIV]860
  8,X IS A PUNI%;T LAID ^U HM 0! ,>*I-
TECT10 EXPLA9$ ,PRAVUIL Z HE QKLY L$ !
WAY 2H A "PICUL>LY L>GE PYRAMID ( COALS1
) 3/ANT GL.ES OV] 8 %\LD]4 8,E TWELVE
H\RS1 ="E & "E4 ,HE W REGR[ 8 EYES 0TWO
OR ?REE O'C1 ONLY 6H !M ''' AH '''
ATTACK$ N9E H\RS LAT]40             #BDF
  8,B :AT DID HE D 6DES]VE ?80 ASK$ ,>-
?UR4
  8,DES]VE8 ,I DON'T "K AB .DES]VE10
MUTT]$ ,PRAVUIL4 8,DID ,I DES]VE 6BE S5T
D[N "H8 ,Z 6:AT HE DID1 ,I H NO IDEA4
,BE/ N 69QUIRE AB T SORT ( ?+4 ,I GA!R X
_H "S?+ 6D ) 9T]F]+ 9 ! ,>*ITECT'S "W 9
! ,SECOND>Y ,R1LMS4 ,%E IS A J1L\S CREA-
TOR1 Y "K4 ,OR WAS40
  ,! CLOCK /RUCK AG4 ,BO? ,>?UR & ,PRA-
VUIL FL9*$ AT ! BELL4
  8,B IF ! ,>*ITECT'S G"O1 :Y ISN'T !
,OLD ,"O FREE80
  8,H] "W 9SIDE ! ,H\SE _C 2 UND"O10 SD
,PRAVUIL4 8,LESS] 2+S MAY M$DLE 9 !
,SECOND>Y ,R1LMS1 B ! ,H\SE IS 3/ANT4
,WELL1 A"P F M9OR DECOR,NS & FITT+S1
WALLPAP] & S*-L4 ,B ANY?+ BIG L ! ,OLD
,"O &! CLOCK1 T'S FIX$ ="E40
  ,>?UR %IV]$1 N J F ! RETURN+ COLD4 ,HE
?"\ AG ( T *OPP+ AX &! TURN+ CORKSCREW1
&! ,OLD ,"O *A9$ & DEF5SE.S1 8 EYES OP5
''' & T WD HAPP5 E TWELVE H\RS = ET]N;Y8
,X 0 TOO AW;L 6?9K AB1 B HE KNEW HE
WDN'T 2 A# 6N ?9K AB X4 ,HE _H TO   #BDG
4TRACT HMF4
  8,:Y DID Y -E BACK 6HELP ME80 ,>?UR
ASK$4
  8,I _H A VISIT F ,MON"D'S ,DUSK10 SD
,PRAVUIL4 ,HE / KEPT LOOK+ OV] 8 %\LD]1
?\< HE SEEM$ A LL M RELAX$4 8,SC>$ ! W+S
(F ME4 ,OR WD H1 IF ,I / _H ANY4 ,B HE 0
V NICE4 ,HE ''' UM ''' PROMIS$ ME "S
SMALL LUXURIES IF ,I ASSI/$ Y4 ,IS X
TRUE Y'RE A MORTAL8 ,EV5 ?\< Y H !
,LESS] ,KEY80
  8,YES10 SD ,>?UR4
  8,& Y >E A ,"R;L ,HEIR 6! ,L[] ,H\SE80
  8,WELL1 T'S :AT ! ,W SAYS10 REPLI$ ,>-
?UR UNCOM=TABLY4 8,ACTU,Y1 ,I J WANT TO
GET HOME )A CURE--0
  ,HE FALT]$ Z ! CLOCK /RUCK AG1 & ,PRA-
VUIL W5T D[N ON "O KNEE 2F HM4
  8,LET ME SWE> MY ALLEGI.E 6! TRUE
,MA/] (! ,L[] ,H\SE10 PL$G$ ,PRAVUIL4
8,?\< ,I AM B A M]E ,COAL-,COLLATOR1 ,I
W S]VE ! ,MA/] Z BE/ ,I AM A#40
  ,>?UR NO4$ & WOND]$ :AT HE 0 SUPPOS$
6D4 ,PRAVUIL LOOK$ UP AT HM EAG]LY Z IF
HE EXPECT$ ,>?UR 6D "S?+4 ,!        #BDH
CLOCK /RUCK AG Z ,>?UR HESITAT$4 ,HE
WASN'T SURE :AT HE 0 SUPPOS$ 6D1 & "! 0
/ "S?+ %IFTY AB ,PRAVUIL4 ,"S?+ T HE IN-
/9CTIVELY DIDN'T TRU/4 ,B P]H ! ,D5IZ5
WD 2 M TRU/WOR?Y IF ,>?UR LET HM SWE>
ALLEGI.E '''
  ,Z ! BELL'S S.D E*O$ >.D !M1 HE ?"\ (
FILMS HE _H SE51 & KNI<TS & K+S4 ,HE
LI<TLY TAPP$ ,PRAVUIL ON EA* %\LD] )!
,KEY4 ,! CLOCK H& %"O B"R] Z X T\*$ !
,D5IZ51 & "S ( XS LI<T FL[$ 96,PRAVUIL4
  8,I A3EPT YR ALLEGI.E &1 UM ''' ?ANK Y
= X10 SD ,>?UR4 8,Y MAY >ISE1 AH1 ,SIR
,PRAVUIL40
  8,SIR ,PRAVUIL60 EXCLAIM$ ! MAN Z HE
/OOD4 8,T'S V F9E1 ?ANK Y1 MY "L6 ,I L
T40
  ,>?UR />$ AT HM4 ,PRAVUIL _H BE5 A LL
%ORT] ?AN HE WAS4 ,N[ HE 0 S"EAL 9*ES
TALL]4 ,HE 0 /&+ M* /RAI<T]1 B T CDN'T
EXPLA9 ? GA9 9 HEI<T4 ,HE AL LOOK$ LESS
UGLY1 & ,>?UR R1LIZ$ 8 R L>GE NOSE _H
%RUNK1 & MO/ (! CAK$-ON COAL DU/ _H
FALL5 (F 8 FACE4
  ,! CLOCK /RUCK ONCE M4 ,>?UR      #BDI
NOTIC$ T ! LA/ FEW *IMES _H BE5 M* CLOS]
TGR4 ,HE'D LO/ C.T1 B P]H ? 0 ! LA/1 !
/ROKE ( TWELVE4 ,X 0 FOLL[$ A MO;T LAT]
0! S.D ( SLAMM+ DOORS4
  8,WAS T ''' ! CLOCK-M>*]S GO+ BACK IN-
SIDE ! CLOCK80 ASK$ ,>?UR4 ,HE 0 ALR
WOND]+ :5 HE CD G BACK & ASK ! ,OLD ,"O
AB ! ,IMPROBA# ,/AIR4 ,IF X 0 ! WAY \1
HE WANT$ 6GET ON X4
  8,T 0 9DE$ _! DOORS CLOS+10 SD ,PRAVU-
IL4 8,IF !Y HAV5'T LEFT ! CLOCK FACE1 !Y
ALW RETURN ON ! TWELF? /ROKE4 ,B X IS
BE/ N 6TR\# ! ,OLD ,"O TILL 8 EYES H RE-
GR[N4 ,WD Y L A CUP ( TEA80
  8,YES10 SD ,>?UR4 8,I WD40
  8,WE W H 6G A LL WAY1 6MY ''' AHEM '''
CAMP1 ,I SUPPOSE Y WD CALL X10 SD ,PRA-
VUIL1 )A B[ &A SWEEP ( 8 >M4 8,=TUNATE-
LY1 ,DUSK'S PROVID;E 9CLUD$ A LL BOX (!
BE/ ,CEYLON TEA & "S SUG> BISCUITS4 ,I
HAV5'T _H A CUP ( TEA = ''' OH ''' A C5-
TURY AT L1/40
  8,H[ L;G H Y BE5 D[N "H80
  8,T5 ?\S& YE>S1 GIVE OR TAKE A MON?10
SD ,PRAVUIL4 8,V DULL X'S BE5       #BEJ
TOO1 MY "L40
  8,I DON'T SUPPOSE Y "K ANY?+ AB ! ,IM-
PROBA# ,/AIR1 D Y80 ASK$ ,>?UR Z !Y
WALK$ 2T COAL PYRAMIDS4 8,OR ! P[]S ( MY
,KEY80
  8,I FE> N1 SIR1 ,I FE> N10 REPLI$
,PRAVUIL4 8,I "K (! ,IMPROBA# ,/AIR1 AT
L1/ 0HE>SAY4 ,X IS SUPPOS$ 6BE ! ,>*I-
TECT'S P]SONAL /AIR & 0 US$ 0,H] 6R1*
ALL "PS ( ,H] CRE,N1 BO? 9 ! ,H\SE & 2Y4
,B T IS ALL ,I "K4 ,Z 6! P[]S ( YR ,KEY1
,I 0 ONLY A CATALOGU] ( />S1 &A RELA-
TIVELY JUNIOR "O AT T4 ,S* ?+S Z ! ,KEYS
6! ,K+DOM 7 WELL 2Y MY PURVIEW4 ,B !
,OLD ,"O W "K1 ,I'M SURE1 2+ Z H[ HE IS
! ,OLD ,"O1 ! OLDE/ SAVE ! ,>*ITECT
,H]F4 ,A LEFT TURN "H1 SIR1 & !N LEFT
AG--0
  ,HE /OPP$ TALK+ Z ,>?UR /OPP$ WALK+4
,BO? _H HE>D ! SAME ?+4 ,A /1L?Y /EP 2H
!M1 ! S(T .Z+ ( CLOCK"W1 &! FA9T .SWI% (
AIR1 Z IF X _H BE5 4TURB$ 0"S?+ MOV+ UP
& D[N4
  ,"S?+ L AN AX '''
            ,*APT] ,SEV5TE5         #BEA

  8,QK60 ,PRAVUIL GASP$4 8,UP ! PYRA-
MID60
  ,HE L1P$ =W>D & 0 HALFWAY UP "O (!
PYRAMIDAL /ACKS ( COAL 2F ,>?UR CD EV5
MOVE4 ,B :5 ! BOY TRI$ 6FOLL[ ! ,COAL-
,COLLATOR1 HE W5T FEETF/ 96! PYRAMID &!
:OLE ?+ COLLAPS$1 ALM BURY+ HM4
  ,>?UR /RU7L$ \ F "U ! COLLAPS$ H1P1 8
HE>T RAC+4 ,"! 0 COAL DU/ "EY":1 9 8
EYES & ALL OV] 8 FACE4 ,HE CDN'T SEE A
?+1 B HE CD HE> ! Z++ CLOCK"W &! *OPP+
NOISE & !N AN AX BLADE SU45LY *OPP$ D[N
"R 9 FRONT ( HM1 H1D+ /RAI<T AT 8 WRI/4
  ,"SH[1 ,>?UR MANAG$ 6P>RY ! BL[ )!
,KEY4 ,B HE FELT ! %OCK ( X ALL "? 8 >M1
&! ,KEY DIDN'T D ANY?+ MAGICAL 6DEF5D
HM4 ,9 A FLA% ( FE>1 ,>?UR R1LIZ$ T :AT-
"E MAGIC X POSSESS$ 0 N /R;G 5 6SAVE HM
F ^! MON/]S4 ,! ,KEY MI<T 2 ! "W (! ,>-
*ITECT1 B S 7 !Y1 & !Y 7 MADE 6G\GE \ !
EYES & LIV] ( "S"O M* M P[];L ?AN ,>?UR4
  8,!Y C'T CLIMB60 SCR1M$ ,PRAVUIL1 :O 0
TEET]+ ON TOP ( ANO!R PYRAMID1 8 >MS
\T/RET*$ = BAL.E4 8,CLIMB UP60      #BEB
  8,H[860 SCR1M$ ,>?UR Z HE ROLL$ \ (!
WAY ( ANO!R BL[ & SPRANG 6HIS FEET4 ,!
WOODSMAN 0 "R 9 FRONT ( HM1 B ": 0 !
CORKSCREW WOMAN8
  ,"S?+ FLA%$ 9 ! CORN] ( 8 EYE4 ,9/9C-
TIVELY1 ,>?UR JUMP$ AWAY1 CRA%+ 96ANO!R
PYRAMID4 ,COAL CASCAD$ >.D HM Z ! VICI\S
CORKSCREW DRILL$ ! AIR ": HE _H BE5 AN
9/ANT 2F4
  ,>?UR PU%$ "? ! COAL & SPR9T$ AWAY4 ,B
! WOODSMAN 0 MOV+ IMPOSSIBLY FA/ ON 8 "R
& ONCE AG HE'D LO/ SI<T (! CORKSCREW
WOMAN4 ,>?UR CDN'T 2LIEVE ! PUPPET MON-
/]S CD MOVE S FA/4 ,! WOODSMAN'S LEGS
/AY$ -PLETELY /IFF & /1 B HE SCUTTL$
SWIFT] ?AN A RAT ACR A KIT*5 FLOOR4 ,TOO
FA/ = ,>?UR 6RUN AWAY F HM4
  ,HE JUMP$ AT ANO!R PYRAMID Z ! WOODS-
MAN HACK$ AT 8 LEGS4 ,B ONCE AG ! COAL
SCATT]$ "EY": & ALL X DID 0 SL[ ,>?UR
D[N4 ,HE TURN$ & SLA%$ BACK AT ! WOODS-
MAN )! ,KEY1 B X DIDN'T D ANY?+ 2S
SCRAPE ACR ! PUPPET'S WOOD5 SK94
  ,PANIC 0 OV]TAK+ ,>?UR'S BRA94 ,HE
DUCK$ "U ! AX1 ALM FELL Z HE        #BEC
FE9T$ PA/ ! CORKSCREW WOMAN1 & RAN AG1 ?
"T =! BI7E/ PYRAMID HE CD SEE4 ,HE _H 6D
"S?+ 6MAKE X /AY TGR1 "S?+ 6MAKE ! PIEC-
ES ( COAL /ICK--
  8,COAL6 ,/ICK TGR60 SCR1M$ ,>?UR Z HE
JUMP$1 HOLD+ ! ,KEY \ S X /RUCK ! COAL
2F HE DID4
  ,! COAL DID /ICK TGR4 ,>?UR HIT ! PYR-
AMID & B\NC$ (F1 "R BACK 96! PA? (!
WOODSMAN &! CORKSCREW WOMAN4 ,! AX FELL
Z ,>?UR ROLL$ ASIDE1 "R 96! PA? (! DE-
SC5D+ CORKSCREW4
  ,>?UR J MANAG$ 6GET ! ,KEY 9 ! WAY &
%OVE ! CORKSCREW ASIDE4 ,X BOR$ 96! /"O
FLOOR )A %[] ( SP>KS1 &! WOMAN'S 9SANE
GI7L+ 2CAME AN ANGRY %RIEK4
  ,>?UR ROLL$ AG1 GOT UP ON ALL F\RS1 &
SPE$-CRAWL$ UP ! N[ /A# PYRAMID ( COAL L
A LIZ>D UP A TREE4 ,:5 HE 0 P]*$ ON TOP1
HE SL[LY /OOD UP & LOOK$ D[N1 8 BR1? -+
9 SOBS ( RELIEF4
  ,! TWO PUPPETS CIRCL$ ! PYRAMID4 ,N
ONLY CD !Y N CLIMB1 !Y CDN'T LOOK UP EI4
,_! NECKS 7 Z /IFF Z _! LEGS4
  8,WELL D"O1 MY "L60 CRI$ ,PRA-    #BED
VUIL1 :O 0 S"EAL PYRAMIDS AWAY4 ,HE HELD
A C&LE 9 8 H& T %$ F> M LI<T ?AN ANY
C&LE \TSIDE (A MOVIE4 ,>?UR NOTIC$ T !
:OLE C&LE %"O1 &! FLAME DIDN'T MOVE4
8,N[ WE J H 6WAIT TILL !Y G BACK IN40
  ,>?UR SI<$ & CR\*$ BACK D[N1 UNA# TO
TRU/ 8 BAL.E4
  8,H[ L;G W T TAKE80
  8,!Y W G 9 ON ! H\R10 SD ,PRAVUIL4
8,OR FA/]1 IF !Y CAT* "S"O SOON]40
  8,>E "! _M ''' UM ''' P D[N "H80 ASK$
,>?UR4
  ,PRAVUIL %RU7$4 8,P]H A HUNDR$ ,COAL-
,COLLATORS1 & FIFTY ,COAL-,CUTT]S4 ,A
FEW O!RS :O H 5D$ UP D[N "H )\T ANY EM-
PLOY;T AT ALL40
  8,WE H 6W>N !M10 SD ,>?UR4 ,! WOODSMAN
&! WOMAN _H 4APPE>$ \ (! CIRCLE ( LI<T F
! ,KEY4 ,!Y 7 \ "! 9 ! D>K;S N[1 CREEP+
>.D4 ,!Y CD EASILY FALL ^U "S UNSUSPECT+
,COAL-,COLLATOR OR ,CUTT] :O 0 9T5T ON
"W4 8,WE'LL H 6%\T4 ,S.D %D C>RY A L;G
WAY D[N "H40
  8,OH1 ,I %DN'T WORRY10 SD ,PRAVUIL4
8,EV5 IF !Y D RUN ACR "S"O1 !Y'LL   #BEE
ONLY G\GE \ _! EYES4 ,:ILE N Z ROBU/ Z !
,OLD ,"O1 MO/ ( U WD GR[ EYES OR A LIV]
BACK 9 A MON? OR TWO4 ,& Y =GET ! PA94
,!Y GOT ME ONCE1 A L;G "T AGO4 ,( C\RSE1
!Y 7 VULTURES !N4 ,ALM PREF]A# 6^!
CLOCK"W HORRORS1 ?\< !Y 7 "PICUL>LY NA/Y
VULTURES--0
  8,I ?9K WE %D TRY AT L1/10 SD ,>?UR4
,JUDG+ F ! SPE$ ) : ,PRAVUIL _H JUMP$ \
(! WAY (! CLOCK"W FIGURES1 HE ?"\ ! O!R
"W]S D[N "H WD 2 GLAD (A W>N+4 8,WE C
%\T TGR4 ,H[ AB1 ,8,LOOK \6 ,! CLOCK ?+S
>E LOOSE60' ,ON ! C.T ( ?REE4 ,"O '''
TWO ''' ?REE60
  8,! TOCK L+S >E GOOSE60 %\T$ ,PRAVUIL1
OR "S?+ T S.D$ L X1 & HE 0 HALF A SECOND
2H ,>?UR'S %\T4 ,! BOY FR[N$ & TRI$ AG
S"EAL "TS1 B ,PRAVUIL N"E GOT X "R1 OR
DIDN'T WANT TO4 ,/1 ,>?UR ?"\1 ! NOISE
AT L1/ MI<T H W>N$ "SBODY4
  8,D Y H FRS D[N "H80 HE ASK$ AF !Y'D
SAT 9 SIL;E =A FEW M9UTES4 ,! COLD 0
/>T+ 6BITE 96,>?UR AG1 & HE KNEW X 0 GO+
6GET WORSE4
  8,FRS8 ,I FE> N10 SI<$ ,PRAVU-    #BEF
IL4 8,WE'RE =BI45 6TALK 6"O ANO!R1 EX-
CEPT ^U BUSI;S1 & Y N"E "K :O MI<T 2 A
SPY OR A VISIT+ ,9SPECTOR OR S*-L4 ,T'S
:AT ,I ?"\ Y 7 AT F/1 MY "L1 ?\< ( C\RSE
MY SUP]IOR 9TELLIG;E SOON P5ETRAT$ YR
4GUISE40
  8,I ?"\ ,DUSK TOLD Y :O ,I WAS10 SD
,>?UR4 ,PRAVUIL WASN'T GETT+ ANY M LIKA-
#4
  8,WELL1 HE DID1 B ,I ALR _H M ?AN AN
9KL+ Z 6:AT 0 :AT1 :AT80
  8,TELL ME AB ! ,SECOND>Y ,R1LMS10 SD
,>?UR4 8,:AT >E !Y EXACTLY80
  8,HMMM1 V TRICKY1 T\< "Q10 REPLI$
,PRAVUIL4 ,HE TOOK (F 8 TATT]$ HAT &
SCRAT*$ 8 H1D4 8,"! IS ! ,H\SE1 Y SEE1 :
IS "H4 ,!N "! IS ,NO?+1 : IS N "H1 B !
,H\SE IS BUILT ^U X4 ,!N "! >E ! ,SEC-
OND>Y ,R1LMS1 : >E \ "!1 \TSIDE ! ,H\SE
& N 3NECT$ 6,NO?+4 ,! ,SECOND>Y ,R1LMS
ALL />T$ Z A SORT ( ,NO?+ T ! ,>*ITECT J
?REW \ "!1 & ? EXP&$ 96ALL K9DS ( ?+S L
/>S & PLANETS & S ON1 & !N "S ( ^? PLAN-
ETS KEPT DEVELOP+ & LIV+ ?+S EM]G$ & WE
9 ! ,H\SE KEEP ! RECORDS ( !M       #BEG
TOO1 AL;G ) "EY?+ ELSE1 B T'S ALL4 ,T'S
! ,ORIG9AL ,LAW4 ,NO 9T]F];E1 N"O P]MIS-
SI#6 ,WAT* & RECORD ONLY6 ,WELL1 F/ (
ALL ! ,OLD ,"O W5T \ "! & 9T]F]$ Q A
LOT1 B HE 0 *A9$ UP4 ,S]VES HM "R1 ,I
SAY4 ,!N ! ,TRU/EES 9T]F]$ J A LL BIT :5
! ,>*ITECT F/ W5T AWAY & !N A LL BIT M &
,I WDN'T 2 SURPRIS$ IF !Y'VE BE5 UP 6ALL
SORTS ( ?+S1 ONLY ,I'VE BE5 TRAPP$ D[N
"H1 S ,I WDN'T "K1 B ,I SAY IF A MORTAL
%[S UP )! ,LESS] ,KEY (! ,L[] ,H\SE !N
"! M/ 2 A LOT GO+ ON T %DN'T40
  ,PRAVUIL /OPP$ 6DRAW BR1?4 ,Z HE 0 AB
6/>T AG1 A SCR1M S.D$ 9 ! 4T.E4 ,A SCR1M
T MADE ,>?UR %IV] & FEEL SICK1 = 9 !
SCR1M 7 TWO B>ELY ID5TIFIA# ^WS4
  8,MY EYES60
  8,OH1 GD10 SD ,PRAVUIL HAPPILY4 8,WE C
GET D[N N[4 ,MY CAMP ISN'T TOO F> AWAY40
  ,>?UR CLIMB$ D[N RELUCTANTLY1 ?\< N[ T
HE KNEW H[ 6MAKE ! COAL /ICK1 HE CD EAS-
ILY CLIMB ANO!R PYRAMID IF NEC4 ,& HE
KNEW T :O"E _H LO/ EYES WD GR[ !M BACK1
B HE / CDN'T =GET T T]RI# SCR1M4 ,OR !
FACT T ,PRAVUIL CDN'T C>E LESS      #BEH
:AT HAPP5$ 6ANYBODY ELSE4 ,HE 3SID]$ T Z
HE FOLL[$ ! ,COAL-,COLLATOR4 ,>?UR ?"\
HE 0 PRETTY GD AT FIGUR+ \ :AT P WD D &
:AT !Y 7 RE,Y L4 ,PRAVUIL _H REFUS$ 6D
"S?+ HE WASN'T SUPPOS$ 6& _H SU6]$ = X4
,B !N HE APPE>$ 6H 8 [N 9T]E/S V M* AT
HE>T4 ,A /RANGE 3TRA/4 ,?\< P]H X CD 2
EXPLA9$ 0! FACT T ,PRAVUIL WASN'T RE,Y A
P]SON4 ,OR HE 0 A P]SON1 B HE WASN'T RE-
,Y HUMAN4 ,HE 0 A ,D5IZ54 ,NO "O 9 !
,H\SE 0 HUMAN1 EXCEPT MAYBE ! *N L ,SUZY
:O _H ONCE BE5 MORTALS4 ,B EV5 !Y 7
*ANG$4 ,>?UR WASN'T SURE EXACTLY :AT !
O!RS W]E1 LET AL"O :AT ! ,OLD ,"O WAS1
OR ! ,>*ITECT4 ,HE RE,Y DIDN'T WANT TO
DWELL ON X1 "PICUL>LY S9CE 8 ?"\S 7 H1D+
9 A DIREC;N T HE 0 UNCOM=TA# )4 ,N"O ( 8
FAMILY W5T 6,*UR* & HE KNEW V LL AB ANY
RELIGION4 ,N[ HE K9D ( WI%$ HE DID & 0
AL K9D ( GLAD T HE DIDN'T4
  ,PRAVUIL'S CAMP1 :5 !Y F9,Y GOT 6X AF
TRAV]S+ M FREEZ+ COAL-/REWN WA/EL&1 CON-
SI/$ (A SMALL WOOD5 *E/1 A ?R1DB>E >M-
*AIR1 &A WEIRD-LOOK+ METAL URN AB ?REE
FEET HI< T _H LOTS ( TAPS1 SPIG-    #BEI
OTS1 & LL DRAW]S4 ,X GL[$ )A DULL H1T &
,>?UR 0 GLAD 6PUT 8 H&S NE> X4
  ,PRAVUIL EXPLA9$ T ! URN 0 CALL$ A
SAMOV> & T X 0 8 MO/ PRECI\S POSSES.N1
2QU1!D 6HM 0A ,COAL-,COLLATOR :O _H BE5
REPRIEV$ & RETURN$ UP/AIRS4 ,AC 6,PRAVU-
IL1 ! SAMOV>1 IF CORRECTLY SUPPLI$ ) RAW
9GR$I5TS1 CD PROVIDE HOT TEA1 MULL$ W9E1
C(FEE1 OR COCOA4
  ,? TURN$ \ 6BE ALM TRUE4 ,PRAVUIL
FILL$ "O (! DRAW]S R HESITANTLY ) "S (!
TEA ,DUSK _H GIV5 HM4 ,B AF "S SP\T+ (
/1M & 3SID]A# RATTL+1 HE 0 4CONC]T$ 6F9D
T E TAP & SPIGOT 4P5S$ A R NA/Y BL5D (
COCOA & W9E4 ,AF S"EAL ATTEMPTS 6FIX ?1
,PRAVUIL F9,Y 5D$ UP ) "S?+ HOT1 PALE1 &
AMB] T TA/$ FA9TLY ( APPLES4 ,HE S]V$
,>?UR "S ( ? 9 A PEWT] FLAGON T 0 A FOOT
HI< & _H A BROK5 LID4
  ,>?UR DRANK X GRATE;LLY4 ,HE 0 V COLD1
& :AT"E ! FLUID WAS1 X W>M$ HM UP4
  8,:Y DON'T Y 3JURE UP TEA F ,NO?+80 HE
ASK$ AF A FEW M\?;LS _H REVIV$ HM4 8,L !
,OLD ,"O80
  8,IF ONLY ,I CD10 SI<$ ,PRAVUIL   #BFJ
) AN ANGRY GL>E AT ! SAMOV>4 8,B T IS A
GRT MAGIC1 6"W ) ,NO?+4 ,! ,OLD ,"O IS
AN ADEPT1 ( C\RSE1 ?\< LIMIT$ 0HIS *A9S4
,A"P F HM1 "! WD 2 FEW 9 ! ,H\SE :O C "W
) ,NO?+1 "PICUL>LY )\T ASSI/.E F "S OB-
JECT ( P[]1 L YR ,KEY40
  8,I SEE10 SD ,>?UR4 ,HE WOND]$ IF HE
CD USE ! ,KEY HMF 63JURE "S?+ \ ( ,NO?+4
,B -MON S5SE TOLD HM X WD 2 BE/ N 6TRY
)\T "S EXP]T HELP4 ,:AT IF HE CALL$ UP A
:OLE BUN* ( ,NI?L+S L ! "OS :O'D -E UP \
(! COB#S 9 ! ,ATRIUM8
  ,?9K+ ( EXP]T HELP REM9D$ ,>?UR T HE
NE$$ 6TALK 6! ,OLD ,"O Z SOON Z POSSI#4
,HE WOND]$ IF 5 "T _H PASS$ =! ,OLD
,"O'S EYES 6GR[ BACK1 & T L$ IMMLY 6WON-
D]+ H[ M* "T MI<T H PASS$ BACK HOME4
,?\< ! ,W _H SD "T 2T ! ,H\SE &! ,SEC-
OND>Y ,R1LMS 0 FLEXI#1 ,>?UR WORRI$ T HE
_H BE5 AWAY TOO L;G4 ,IF HE'D BE5 MISS+
=A "D1 !N 8 P>5TS WD 2 T]RIBLY WORRI$4
,UN.S !Y _H ! ,SLEEPY ,PLAGUE ALR1 9 :
CASE E M9UTE 0 TOO L;G 6DELAY 6GET BACK
)A CURE '''
  8,:AT "T IS X80 ASK$ ,>?UR4       #BFA
8,IS X SAFE 6APPROA* ! ,OLD ,"O80
  8,MMMM1 H>D 6SAY :AT "T X IS =! ,OLD
,"O10 REPLI$ ,PRAVUIL4 8,UN.S WE LOOK AT
8 CLOCK4 ,% WE G & SEE80




















                                    #BFB
























             ,*APT] ,EI<TE5         #BFC

  ,PRAVUIL HUNG BACK Z !Y APPROA*$ !
CLOCK & !N /OPP$ ALT4
  8,I'LL WAIT "H IF Y DON'T M9D1 MY "L10
HE SD4 ,HE KEPT 8 H1D B[$ & HE AVOID$
,>?UR'S GAZE4 8,! ,OLD ,"O C 2 A LL BIT
TET*Y4 ,?\< ( C\RSE HE WON'T 2 6Y1 ,MAS-
T]40
  ,>?UR LOOK$ AT HM SUSPICI\SLY4 ,PRAVU-
IL _HN'T BE5 AFRAID 6G Q A BIT CLOS] 2F4
,:AT 0 HE UP TO8
  8,:AT DOES ,8A LL BIT TET*Y0' M1N80 HE
ASK$4 8,:AT W HE D80
  8,T'S RE,Y Q DI6ICULT 6SAY4 '''0
  8,WELL1 :AT SORT ( ?+S DOES HE D8 ,&
:AT DOESN'T HE L80
  8,WELL1 LA/ "T ,I W5T UP 6! CLOCK HE
?R1T5$ 6PULL MY H1D (F & KICK X OV] !
RIM (! PIT4 ,I'D N"E F9D X IF HE DID T4
,I'D 2 WORSE (F ?AN ,B>ENECK40
  8,B :Y80 ASK$ ,>?UR4 8,HE 0 Q FRLY TO
ME1 ONCE HE KNEW :O ,I WAS40
  8,Y'RE A MORTAL1 & Y C>RY ! ,LESS]
,KEY10 SD ,PRAVUIL4 8,X'S ! ,D5IZ5S (!
,H\SE ! ,OLD ,"O DOESN'T L4 ,HE     #BFD
SD HE "PICUL>LY DIDN'T L ME = "S R1SON4
,I C'T ?9K :Y4 ,S ,I'LL J WAIT "H1 %
,I80
  8,D :AT"E Y L10 SD ,>?UR4 ,HE ?"\
,PRAVUIL 0 UP 6"S?+1 B HE DIDN'T H "T TO
>GUE ) HM1 & "! 0 NO PO9T TRY+ 6DRAG HM
CLOS]4 8,J REMEMB] Y SWORE 6S]VE ME1
,SIR ,PRAVUIL40
  8,OH1 YES1 A *AP CDN'T =GET T60 SD
,PRAVUIL B"RLY1 B / HE DIDN'T LOOK ,>?UR
9 ! EYE4 8,I /& 0MY ^WS4 ,GD LUCK1 MY
"L4 ,SIR40
  ,>?UR NO4$ & 2GAN 6CROSS ! OP5 GR.D 2T
! COAL PYRAMIDS &! CLOCK4 ,HE CD SEE !
,OLD ,"O N[4 ,! GIANT 0 CR\*$ 9 8 ?9K+
POSI;N1 NE> ! NUM]AL TWO4 ,8 *A9S 7 / Q
TI<T1 & X 0 CLE> HE CDN'T MOVE 2Y ! F/
QU>T] (! CLOCK4
  ,>?UR WALK$ SL[LY T[>DS HM4 ,HE 0 GLAD
6SEE T ! DOORS ON ! CLOCK 7 %UT1 ?\< HE
ONLY _H ,PRAVUIL'S ^W = X T ! HORRID
PUPPET ?+S _H G"O BACK 9SIDE4
  ,! ,OLD ,"O LOOK$ UP Z ,>?UR /EPP$ UP
& ONTO ! CLOCK FACE4 ,8 EYES 7 R$1 B !Y
7 "!4 ,IF X W]5'T =! SPLA%ES (      #BFE
DRI$ BLOOD ^U 8 *EEKS ,>?UR WD H D\BT$ T
! GIANT'S EYES _H BE5 ! T>GETS (! WOODS-
MAN'S AX &! WOMAN'S CORKSCREW4
  8,GREET+S1 ,OLD ,"O40
  ,! ,OLD ,"O 9CL9$ 8 H1D 9 :AT MI<T 2 A
V RE/RA9$ GREET+4 ,B HE DID N SP1K1 NOR
DID HE SMILE OR %[ ANY O!R SIGN ( WEL-
-E4 ,>?UR />T$ 6FEEL N]V\S4 ,HE REMEMB]$
! FEEL (! *A9 >.D 8 NECK1 & HE WOND]$ IF
8 [N H1D CD 2 REATTA*$ IF X 0 S"E$ F 8
BODY 0! ,OLD ,"O4 ,"SH[ HE D\BT$ X4
  8,I'VE -E BACK 6SEE IF Y'VE DECID$ TO
HELP ME OR N10 ,>?UR ANN\NC$ Z HE TOOK
S"EAL M SL[ /EPS T[>DS ! ,OLD ,"O4 8,Y
SD Y WDN'T NE$ T M* "T 6?9K AB X4 ,!N !
?+S CAME \ (! DOORS--0
  8,YES10 GR[L$ ! ,OLD ,"O4 8,I DELIB]-
AT$ TOO L;G & ALM GAVE Y 6!M4 ,IF Y _H
/AY$ ANO!R SECOND ON ! CLOCK1 !Y WD H
TAK5 YR EYES40
  8,!Y CAME \ & TOOK "SBODY'S10 SD ,>-
?UR1 RE/RA9+ 8 ANG]4 8,:Y DIDN'T Y WAKE
ME E>LI]80
  8,I WI%$ 6TE/ MYF1 6SEE IF ,I CD LET A
SLEEP+ BOY PAY T]RIBLY = MY         #BFF
NI<T'S RE/10 RUM#D ! ,OLD ,"O4 8,AT !
LA/1 ,I CD N4 ,I AM PL1S$ T ? IS S4 ,Y H
E>N$ "S ANSW]S1 ,>?UR4 ,ASK ME ?REE "QS1
& NO M1 & ,I % ANSW]40
  ,>?UR ALM ASK$ ! ,OLD ,"O :Y ONLY ?REE
"QS1 B BIT 8 LIP J 9 "T4 ,T WD H C.T$ Z
A "Q = SURE1 & !N HE'D ONLY H TWO LEFT4
,HE _H 6?9K C>E;LLY AB ?4
  8,Y MAY 2G910 SD ! ,OLD ,"O1 BR1K+ ,>-
?UR'S TRA9 ( ?"\4 8,I W GIVE Y TWO M9-
UTES1 0! H& ( ? CLOCK40
  8,TWO M9UTES60 EXCLAIM$ ,>?UR4 ,HE ?"\
FURI\SLY1 !N GAB#D \1 8,H[ C ,I USE !
,IMPROBA# ,/AIR 6GET 6,MON"D'S ,"DROOM F
"H80
  8,! ,IMPROBA# ,/AIR EXI/S "EY": "! IS
"S": 6EXI/10 SD ! ,OLD ,"O4 8,Y M/ IMAG-
9E A /AIR ": "! IS N "O1 A /AIR MADE (
:AT"E Y C SEE1 2 X A GRASS-/EM BROK5 9
?REE PLACES OR A PECULI> /EP-%AP$ CL\D4
,!N Y M/ JUMP T[>DS ! F/ /EP (! /AIR1
MAK+ SURE Y H ! ,KEY 9 YR H&4 ,IF Y BE-
LIEVE X IS "!1 X W BE--AT L1/ X W 2 =!
WIELD] (! ,LESS] ,KEY4
  8,ONCE ^U ! /AIR1 Y M/ KEEP GO+   #BFG
UNTIL Y >RIVE ": Y WANT 6BE4 ,! ,IMPROB-
A# ,/AIR HAS _M L&+S1 & ^U EA* L&+ Y MAY
NE$ 6F9D ! ,/AIR AG4 ,IF Y D N F9D !
3T9U,N (! ,/AIR QKLY1 Y W 2 /UCK :]"E &
:5"E Y H /OPP$4 ,! ,/AIR W9DS "? ALL !
,SECOND>Y ,R1LMS1 "? BO? "T & SPACE1 &
AL "? ! ,H\SE1 S Y M/ 2 W>Y4 ,X IS POS-
SI# 65D UP "S": Y "PICUL>LY D N WI% 6BE4
,X IS EV5 LIKELY1 = T IS "P (! ,/AIR'S
NATURE4 ,X TAKES /R5G? ( W Z WELL Z P[]
6GET 6": Y RE,Y WANT TO1 US+ ! ,/AIR4 ,Y
M/ AL 2W>E ( O!R TRAVEL]S1 "PICUL>LY
,NI?L+S :O "S"TS MANAGE 6F9D _! WAY ONTO
! ,/AIR40
  ,! L;G H& (! CLOCK MOV$1 RATTL+ ! ,OLD
,"O'S *A94 ,A :OLE M9UTE G"O6
  8,:AT ''' H[ D ,I USE ! P[]S (! ,LESS]
,KEY80 ASK$ ,>?UR4 ,HE HELD UP ! ,KEY Z
HE SPOKE1 & XS LI<T FL>$ BRIEFLY1 ?\< X
0 WA%$ \ 0! /RANGE BLUE GL[ (! ,OLD
,"O'S *A9S4
  8,! P[]S (! ,LESS] ,KEY >E NUM]\S10
9TON$ ! ,OLD ,"O4 8,IN ! H&S ( XS "R;L
WIELD] X MAY D ALM ANY?+ T IS ASK$ ( X1
?\< X IS G5],Y W1K] 9 ! ,H\SE ?AN   #BFH
9 ! ,SECOND>Y ,R1LMS1 & X MAY 2 OPPOS$
0BO? ,>T & ,P[]4 ,9 G5]AL X MAY 2 US$ TO
LOCK1 UNLOCK1 B9D1 UNB9D1 OP51 CLOSE1
ANIMATE1 PETRIFY1 ILLUM9ATE1 D>K51
TRANSLATE1 2FU4LE1 & 6P]=M SMALL DIV].NS
OR REDIREC;NS ( ,"T4 ,X W PROTECT Y 6"S
DEGREE F BO? PHYSICAL & PSY*IC H>M1 ?\<
Z Y >E MORTAL1 "! >E CLOSE LIMITS ON ?
P[]4 ,Z 6H[ Y MI<T USE X1 Y "K ALR4 ,ASK
OR DIRECT1 & IF X IS )9 XS P[]S1 ! ,KEY
W "W Z Y REQUIRE4 ,Y H ?IRTY SECONDS
LEFT40
  ,>?UR LOOK$ AT ! M9UTE H&4 ,X _H MOV$
AG1 HALFWAY 6! NEXT M>K4 ,B HE 0 SURE HE
_HN'T US$ N9ETY SECONDS ALR6 ,9 A PANIC1
HE TRI$ 6?9K (A GD "Q1 "O T MI<T ATTRACT
A BETT] ANSW] ?AN ! LA/ TWO4 ,"S?+ M DI-
RECT1 M /RAI<T=W>D4
  8,:AT IS HAPP5+ BACK AT HOME8 ,MY
HOME80
  8,I _C TELL Y T10 REPLI$ ! ,OLD ,"O4
8,! ,SECOND>Y ,R1LMS >E =BI45 6ME & _M1
_M YE>S H PASS$ S9CE ,I LA/ LOOK$ ^U
ANY?+ T HAPP5S "!4 ,Y MAY ASK ANO!R "Q40
  8,:O C ,I TRU/80 ,>?UR BLURT$     #BFI
\4
  8,^? :O WI% Y WELL10 SD ! ,OLD ,"O4
8,N ^? :O WI% 6USE Y WELL4 ,2 A PLAY]1 N
A PAWN4 ,& T IS ?REE "QS & ALL YR "T40
  ,HE RAIS$ 8 H& & WAV$ ,>?UR AWAY4
  8,T'S N RE,Y AN ANSW]4 ,I M1NT :O 9
"PICUL> C ,I TRU/80 SD ,>?UR4 ,HE REFUS$
6BACK (F1 ?\< ! ,OLD ,"O AG GE/UR$ = HM
6G4 8,L ! ,W OR ,MON"D'S ,DUSK40
  ,! ,OLD ,"O CLIMB$ 6HIS FEET1 ! *A9S
RATTL+4 ,HE MADE A LOOP ) "O *A9 &
FLICK$ X IDLY 9 ! AIR4 ,/ ,>?UR DIDN'T
MOVE4 ,HE /OOD "!1 LOOK+ UP AT ! GIANT1
! ,KEY 9 8 H&4 ..,X'S J L /&+ UP 6A
.BULLY1 HE TOLD HMF1 ?\< HE FELT V %AKY
9SIDE4 ..,X HAS 6BE .D"O4
  8,Y M/ DECIDE :O 6TRU/ YRF10 SD ! ,OLD
,"O4 ,HE />T$ 6WAVE ,>?UR (F AG1 !N
PAUS$4
  8,B ,I W TELL Y "O M ?+ )\T A "Q1 ,>-
?UR ,P5HALIGON4 ,A MORTAL :O WIELDS !
,KEY W 2COME XS TOOL Z M* Z X IS HIS4 ,X
W *ANGE Y1 9 BLOOD & B"O1 REMAK+ Y 9 !
IMAGE ( XS MAK]4 ,! ,KEY DOES N 2FIT A
MORTAL BE>]4 ,9 "T1 X W REMAKE XS   #BGJ
WIELD]4 ,?9K C>E;LLY AB T1 ,>?UR4 ,TO
WIELD P[] IS N"E )\T CO/4 ,Z Y C SEE "H4
,N[ G60
  ,HE RO>$ ! LA/ TWO ^WS & JUMP$ =W>D1
SW++ 8 *A94 ,>?UR DUCK$ ! FLAIL+ L9KS &
SPR9T$ (F ! CLOCK1 8 HE>T P.D+4
  ,:5 HE GOT 6! $GE (! COAL PYRAMIDS1
,PRAVUIL 0 NO": 9 SI<T4 ,LOOK+ BACK1 ,>-
?UR SAW ! ,OLD ,"O SITT+ BACK D[N1 ONCE
AG RE/+ 8 ELB[ ON 8 KNEE & 8 H1D ON 8
FI/4 ,?9K+4
  ,"S?+ ,>?UR WD NE$ 6D HMF1 ?\< 8 UPP]-
MO/ ?"\ 0 6USE ! ,IMPROBA# ,/AIR 6GET \
( ? FREEZ+1 DU/Y PIT4 ,B X WASN'T Z SIM-
PLE Z T4 ,%D HE RISK ! ,/AIR :5 "! MI<T
2 ANO!R WAY \8 ,": %D HE G8 ,/RAI<T TO
,MON"D'S ,"DROOM1 6TRY 6GET ! ,H\R ,H&8
,:AT AB ! ,W & ,SUZY ,BLUE8 ,& ,MON"D'S
,DUSK8
  ,MON"D'S ,DUSK ''' ,>?UR SU45LY WOND]$
IF ,PRAVUIL _H "S M1NS 6-MUNICATE )
,DUSK4 ,:AT EXACTLY _H ,DUSK TOLD ,PRA-
VUIL 6D1 2SS HELP ,>?UR & GIVE HM A CUP
( TEA8
  8,PRAVUIL60                       #BGA
  ,>?UR'S %\T E*O$ >.D ! PYRAMIDS (
COAL1 B "! 0 NO ANSW] \ (! D>K;S1 NOR F
! BLUE-LIT REGION >.D ! CLOCK4
  8,PRAVUIL6 ,-E "H60
  ,AG "! 0 NO ANSW]4 ..,S M* = SWE>+
.LOYALTY1 ?"\ ,>?UR4 ,HE LOOK$ >.D &
WOND]$ IF HE CD REMEMB] H[ 6F9D ,PRAVU-
IL'S CAMP4 ,HE CD RE,Y D )A HOT CUP (
"S?+1 EV5 IF ! ,COAL-,COLLATOR WASN'T "!
6ANSW] "QS4 ,B )\T HAV+ LEFT M>K]S1 HE
KNEW X 0 USE.S4 ,HE'D J W&] >.D 9 ! D>K1
A MOV+ PAT* ( LI<T T WD ONLY /UM# ON !
CAMP 0BL GD LUCK4
  8,PRAVUIL60
  ,SIL;E RETURN$ Z ! E*OES DI$ AWAY4 ,B
Z ,>?UR TOOK A BR1? 6%\T AG1 HE HE>D "S-
?+4 ,A FA9T NOISE T 0 H>D 6P9PO9T4 ,X
GREW L\D] Z ,>?UR US$ ! ,KEY 6/ICK !
COAL TGR & CLIMB$ UP A PYRAMID4 ,! LI<T
F ! ,KEY SPR1D \ Z HE GOT HI<] UP1 B HE
/ CDN'T SEE ANY?+4
  ,!N HE RECOGNIZ$ ! NOISE & LOOK$ UP4
,X 0 ! B1T+ ( W+S4 ,"S"O ''' "S?+ ''' 0
-+ /RAI<T D[N T[>DS HM6
  ,>?UR JUMP$ \ (! WAY Z A FLAPP+   #BGB
%APE ZOOM$ OV] 8 H1D4 ,Z HE HIT ! GR.D1
HE HE>D X CRA% 96"O (! PYRAMIDS1 S5D+
PIECES ( COAL FLY+ "EY":4 ,:O"E X 0
CLE>LY DIDN'T "K H[ 6FLY PROP]LY4
  ,2F :O"E X 0 CD RECOV]1 ,>?UR RU%$
OV]1 ! ,KEY HELD R1DY 6/RIKE4 ,HE DIDN'T
?9K X 0 ,DUSK1 2C ! W+S _H LOOK$ :ITE Z
!Y /R1K$ PA/1 & "SH[ HE DIDN'T ?9K ,DUSK
OR ,NOON OR ,DAWN WD H A PRO#M ) _! W+S4
  8,T 0 A FAC]1 & NO MISTAKE60 DCLD A
FAMILI> VOICE4 ,>?UR />$ D[N AT A BLACK-
5$ %APE T 0 CRAWL+ \ (A PILE ( COAL4
8,NO "O TOLD ME ! GR.D CD -E UP Z FA/ Z
T60
  8,SUZY ,BLUE60 DCLD ,>?UR4 ,HE SMIL$1
PUT ! ,KEY "? 8 BELT1 & B5T D[N 6HELP H]
UP4 8,:AT ''' H[ DID Y GET "H80
  8,! ,W TOOK OV] A C>E.S ,?IRD ,SECRE-
T>Y 9 ,*>GE ( ,CEIL+ ,MA9T5.E & GOT ME 8
W+S10 SD ,SUZY4 ,%E /OOD UP %AKILY &
BRU%$ H]F (F1 S5D+ COAL DU/ BILL[+ ALL
>.D4 ,H] W+S 7 / ATTA*$1 ?\< !Y 7 Q B5T
AT ! TOP4 ,!Y LOOK$ Z IF !Y W]5'T V :ITE
6/>T )1 B N[ "! 7 ONLY GLIMPSES ( :ITE
2N ! BLACK DU/4 8,S5T ME D[N 6F9D   #BGC
Y4 ,WDN'T -E XF4 ,SD X CDN'T G NE> "S
OLD GEEZ]4 ,LUCKY ,I AIM$ AT ! "R LI<T4
,:AT'S T BLUE GL[ OV] YOND]80
  8,! OLD GEEZ]10 SD ,>?UR4 8,I'D /AY
AWAY IF ,I 7 Y4 ,S ,NOON DID LET Y G80
  8,SORT (10 SD ,SUZY4 8,L1/1 WE GAVE
'EM ! SLIP 6/>T )4 ,X A9'T HALF COLD D[N
"H4 ,Y'D BETT] R1D ? MESSAGE1 !N WE C
CLE> \40
  ,%E R1*$ 9SIDE H] GRIMY WAI/COAT &
PULL$ \ AN 5VELOPE ( ?ICK BUFF PAP]1
S1L$ )A L>GE BLOB ( WAX T 0 IMPR9T$ )
:AT LOOK$ L A FROG'S H&PR9T4
  ,>?UR TORE X OP54 ,=A MO;T HE CDN'T "W
\ ": ! LR WAS4 ,!N HE R1LIZ$ T ! WRIT+ 0
ON ! 9SIDE (! 5VELOPE4 ,X 0 L AN OLD-
FA%ION$ AEROGRAM4 ,! LR XF _H BE5 FOLD$
96AN 5VELOPE4
  ,! LR 0 WRITT5 ) B1UTI;L P5MAN%IP1 9
FA9TLY GL[+ GRE5 9K4

  ,6,>?UR1 ,"R;L ,HEIR 6! ,KEYS 6! ,K+-
DOM & ,MA/] (! ,L[] ,H\SE1 ! ,MI4LE
,H\SE1 ! ,UPP] ,H\SE1 ! ,F> ,R1*ES1 !
,GRT ,MAZE1 ! ,9COMP>A# ,G>D5S1 !   #BGD
,BORD] ,SEA1 & ^? ,9F9ITE ,T]RITORIES 2Y
! ,H\SE -MONLY CALL$ ! ,SECOND>Y ,R1LMS
'''
  ,GREET+S F YR FAI?;L S]VANT1 ,P>A-
GRAPHS ,?REE 6,SEV5 (! ,W ( ,\R ,SUPREME
,CR1TOR1 ,ULTIMATE ,>*ITECT ( ,ALL1 CON-
VEY$ 6Y 0! H& ( ,MISS ,SUZY ,TURQUOISE
,BLUE1 ,9K-,FILL]1 ETC4 ETC4
  ,SIR1 ,I TRU/ ? F9DS Y WELL1 & 9 GD "T
6W>N Y T ON NO A3.T M/ Y APPROA* ! GIANT
*A9$ 6! CLOCK 9 ! REGION Y UN=TUNATELY &
TEMPOR>ILY O3UPY4 ,CALL$ 0"S ! ,OLD ,"O1
HE IS EXTREMELY DANG]\S4 ,I REP1T1 D N
APPROA* HM OR V5TURE NE> ! CLOCK6
  ,I REGRET YR TEMPOR>Y 9C>C],N1 B AS-
SURE Y T \R PLANS1 ?\< TEMPOR>ILY SET
BACK1 >E / 9 MO;N4 ,\R NEXT /EP1 MAY ,I
SU7E/1 IS = Y 6-E AT ONCE 6,MON"D'S ,AN-
TE*AMB]1 Z ,I FE> T 8 ACTUAL ,"DROOM IS
N[ DEF5D$ M C>E;LLY & W NE$ CLOSE EXAMI-
N,N 2F WE C PROCE$4
  ,H[ 6GET F YR DANK CELL> 6,MON"D'S
,ANTE*AMB]8 ,I _H ?"\ ( PROCUR+ A4I;NAL
W+S = ,SUZY 6BR+ Y1 B _! USE IS DI6ICULT
& ,I FE>$ AN A3ID5T4 ,BETT] & M     #BGE
FITT+ T Y USE ! ,IMPROBA# ,/AIR4

  8,I C'T GET ^! /UPID FLAPP]S (F10 9T]-
RUPT$ ,SUZY4 ,>?UR /OPP$ R1D+ A DESCRIP-
;N & EXPLAN,N ( H[ 6USE ! ,IMPROBA#
,/AIR T 0 ALM ID5TICAL 6! "O GIV5 6HM 0!
,OLD ,"O1 Z IF X CAME \ (! SAME BOOK &
BO? ! ,W &! GIANT _H MEMORIZ$ X4 ,SUZY 0
TRY+ 6R1* OV] H] [N %\LD] & 0 /RU7L+ )A
W+4
  8,D Y WANT ME 6HELP80 HE ASK$4
  8,NO60 EXCLAIM$ ,SUZY4 8,!Y FEEL L
!Y'VE GR[N 96MY BACK40
  8,T'S :AT M9E FELT L10 SD ,>?UR4 8,B
!Y FELL (F & TURN$ BACK 96PAP] J 2F ,I
HIT ! GR.D "H40
  8,PAP] W+S8 ,!Y'RE J TEMPOR>Y1 SMALL
MAGIC10 SD ,SUZY SCORN;LLY4 8,^! >E R1L
TOP-CLASS W+S1 P]MAN5T "OS4 ,I'VE SE5
'EM PUT ON & (F & %RUNK UP & D[N4 ,"! M/
2 A TRICK 6X40
  ,>?UR NO4$ W>ILY4 ,IF "! 0 A TRICK1 X
DIDN'T LOOK L ,SUZY 0 ANY": NE> FIGUR+ X
\4 ,HE W5T BACK 6R1D+ ! ,W'S LR4
                                    #BGF
  ,0M1NS (! ,IMPROBA# ,/AIR1 -E 6,MON-
"D'S ,ANTE*AMB]4 ,I H D"O A SMALL SKET*
S T Y MAY VISUALIZE YR DE/9,N4 ,REMEMB]
T ! ,/AIR IS 3TR>Y & W /OP 9 _M PLACES4
,D N LET X L1VE Y 2F ,MON"D'S ,ANTE*AM-
B]6

  ,>?UR LOOK$ AT ! SKET*4 ,X 0 AB ! SIZE
( 8 ?UMBNAIL1 B 0 9CR$IBLY F9E & DE-
TAIL$1 L A RE,Y OLD 5GRAV+4 ,X %[$ ! IN-
SIDE (A ROOM1 OR R1 A T5T1 2C ! WALLS 7
OBVI\SLY CLO? & "! 0 A POLE 9 ! MI4LE4
,O!R ?AN T1 "! 7 PILES ( CU%IONS &A
SMALL TA# )A V TALL1 ?9 JUG & S"EAL W9E-
GLASSES ON X4
  .,/RANGE-LOOK+ .ANTE*AMB]1 ?"\ ,>?UR4
,HE %RU7$ & W5T BACK 6! LR4

  ,IF ALL GOES Z ,I EXPECT1 ,I W AWAIT Y
"!1 ) :AT"E ALLIES ,I C MU/]4 ,I % REV1L
! NEXT /AGE ( MY PLAN :5 WE MEET AG4
  ,UNTIL !N1 ,I REMA9 YR OB$I5T & RE-
SPECT;L S]VANT4
  ,MAY ! ,W 2 D"O4
                                    #BGG
  ,>?UR FOLD$ ! LR & PUT X 9 8 TR\S]
POCKET4 ,SUZY 0 / GRAPPL+ )! W+S4
  8,:AT DID ! ,W TELL Y 6D80 ,>?UR ASK$4
8,N[ T ,I'VE GOT ! MESSAGE80
  8,I DUNNO10 SD ,SUZY4 ,%E /OPP$ TRY+
6TUG H] W+S (F1 LET H] H&S FALL1 & ?RU/
H] F+]S "U ! >MHOLES ( H] WAI/COAT 9/1D4
8,X DIDN'T SAY4 ,I SUPPOSE ,I'LL G AL;G
) Y40
  8,I DON'T "K IF Y C -E ) ME10 SD ,>-
?UR4
  ,SUZY />$ AT HM ANGRILY4 8,OH1 F9E6 ,I
FLY ALL ! WAY D[N "H & !N Y C'T 2 BO!R$
TAK+ ME AL;G = :AT"E HAPP5S NEXT60
  8,I'LL TAKE Y IF ,I C10 SD ,>?UR PA-
TI5TLY4 8,I H 6G ON "S?+ CALL$ ! ,IM-
PROBA# ,/AIR1 & ,I J DON'T "K IF BO? ( U
C G AL;G X1 T'S ALL4 ,I'M SURPRIS$ ! ,W
DIDN'T TELL Y40
  8,T ,W ONLY ?9KS ( XF10 MUTT]$ ,SUZY
D>KLY4 8,D ?1 D T1 WE M/ C>RY \ ! 9T5;NS
(! ,>*ITECT ''' DROVE ME CRAZY1 X DID4
,WELL1 LET'S GET ON ) X !N1 2F ,NOON'S
GOONS CAT* UP ) ME40
  8,:AT80                           #BGH
  8,? ,IMPROBA# ,/AIR4 ,LET'S GET ON X4
,": DOES X />T80
  8,NO1 :AT'S ? AB ,NOON'S GOONS80
  8,OH1 WELL1 X 0 EASY 5 6GIVE ! SLIP 6!
F/ LOT ,NOON SET 6FOLL[ U F ! ,E6ICI;ER
,G5]AL'S (FICE4 ,B :5 ,I CAME D[N 6!
,UPP] ,CELL>1 "! 0 A :OLE BUN* ( ,-MIS-
.NAIRES ON WAT* >.D ! $GE (! PIT4 ,I GOT
PA/ 'EM1 B ,I GUESS "S ( !M W H G"O &
GOTT5 W+S 0N[4 ,S WE'D BETT] GET A MOVE
ON4 ,!Y MI<T N 2 A# 6D ANY?+ 6Y1 B !Y C
SURE HURT ME40
  ,Z %E SPOKE1 ,>?UR LOOK$ UP4 ,AT F/ HE
CDN'T SEE ANY?+1 UNTIL HE MOV$ ! ,KEY
ASIDE S XS LI<T WASN'T 9 8 EYES4 ,SURE
5\<1 "! 7 FA9T LI<TS UP ABV T _H N BE5
"! 2F4 ,LI<TS T GREW B"R] & L>G] Z HE
WAT*$4
  8,WAT* LANT]NS10 SD ,SUZY4 8,-MIS.N-
AIRE ,S]G1NTS1 ,I GUESS4 ,HALF A DOZ5 (
!M40
  ,>?UR 0 AB 6SAY "S?+ :5 AN ANGRY RO>
E*O$ \ 2H !M1 A RO> S L\D T ,SUZY 9/9C-
TIVELY CLUT*$ H] HAT1 EV5 ?\< X 0 W$G$
ON H] H1D S SECURELY NO W9D CD      #BGI
BL[ X (F4 ,! ,OLD ,"O _H AL NOTIC$ !
,-MIS.NAIRES4
  8,TAKE MY H&10 ,>?UR 9/RUCT$ ,SUZY4
,HE HELD 8 LEFT H& \1 ! ,KEY / 9 8 "R4
,SUZY TOOK X RELUCTANTLY1 HOLD+ X Z %E
MI<T A D1D RAT1 ) ONLY TWO F+]S4
  8,NO1 HOLD ON H>D60 SD ,>?UR4 8,O!R-
WISE Y'LL GET LEFT 2H = SURE40
  ,SUZY'S GRIP TI<T5$4 ,>?UR HOP$ T HE 0
TELL+ H] ! TRU?4 ,HE _H NO IDEA :E!R HE
CD TAKE H] AL;G OR N4 ,HE DIDN'T EV5 "K
IF HE CD F9D ! /AIR1 LET AL"O USE X HMF4
  ,:AT _H BO? ! ,OLD ,"O &! ,W SD8
,IMAG9E A /AIR ": "! ISN'T "O4 ,FOCUS ON
"S?+ T RESEM#S /EPS & 2LIEVE ! ,/AIR W 2
"!4
  ..,"! 9 ! D>K;S ABV T SLI<TLY SLUMP$
.PYRAMID1 ,>?UR ?"\4 ..,T'S ": ! ,/AIR W
BE4 ,X W J 3T9UE ON F ! NATURAL /EPS (
COAL T H =M$ ": ! SIDE (! PYRAMID HAS
.SLIPP$4
  .,YES1 HE ?"\4 ..,A BROAD /AIR1 L1D+
/RAI<T UP4 ,/EPS ( :ITE M>#1 GL1M+ 9 !
.D>K;S4 ,HE CD SEE X CLE>LY 9 8 H1D1 B 0
X "! 9 T D>K SPACE8                 #BHJ
  8,HALT6 ,/OP ": Y >E60 CAME A %\T F
ABV1 B X 0 FA9T & / "S 4T.E AWAY4 ,X 0
ANSW]$ 0A BOLT ( BLUE LI<TN+ T FLA%$ UP
F ! CLOCK1 B T TOO FELL %ORT1 REB.D+ Z
IF X _H HIT A GLASS CEIL+ ONLY A HUNDR$
Y>DS ABV ! ,OLD ,"O'S UNUSUAL PRISON4
  ,>?UR IGNOR$ BO? ! %\T &! LI<TN+4 ,HE
CD SEE ! ,/AIR N[1 ! M># /EPS4 ,!Y 7 %9+
"!1 ABV ! PYRAMID4 ,ALL HE _H 6D 0 JUMP
6T F/ /EP--
  8,[60 ,SUZY EXCLAIM$ Z ,>?UR L1P$ =W>D
)\T W>N+4 ,H] W+S FLAPP$ )! EF=T 6KEEP
UP Z ! BOY JUMP$ 96! AIR NE> ! PYRAMID4
,B 8 FEET DIDN'T L& ON ! COAL4 ,!Y HIT
"S?+ T ,SUZY CDN'T SEE1 & HE JUMP$ AG4
,SUZY'S W+S B1T H>D 6/AY ) ,>?UR1 & %E
%UT H] EYES4 ,%E FELT HM JUMP AG & %UT
H] EYES EV5 H>D]1 9 ANTICIP,N ( 2+ DRA7$
PA9;LLY BACK 6E>?1 W+S OR N4
  ,B !Y W]5'T4 ,SUZY'S FEET T\*$ "S?+1 B
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>.D4
  8,LOOK D[N1 AT ! /EPS10 %\T$ ,>?UR4
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                                    #BHB
























             ,*APT] ,N9ETE5         #BHC

  8,S H[ DOES ? "W1 !N80 PU6$ ,SUZY AF
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TWO HUNDR$ /EPS1 / HOLD+ ON 6HIS H&4
8,WE KEEP ON CLIMB+ /EPS TILL WE FALL
OV] & ROLL ALL ! WAY BACK D[N80
  8,I DON'T "K10 REPLI$ ,>?UR4 ,HE 0
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NO WAY HE CD H CLIMB$ S _M /EPS S QKLY 9
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>E ,L&+S E N[ & !N1 B ,I'M N SURE :AT !Y
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"E1 ,I SUPPOSE40
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REMEMB]$ MY OLD DAD1 J =A SECOND6   #BHD
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G"O & S 0 ! :ITE LI<T4 ,!Y 7 /&+ 9 KNEE-
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DON'T "K H[ _M ,L&+S "!'LL BE4 ,WE'RE
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8,X WASN'T YR FAULT4 ,I DON'T ?9K !
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  8,VICTORY AT ,M>A?ON60 HE %\T$4 8,!
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VICTORY60
  ,HE DIDN'T /OP1 B AV]T$ 8 EYES Z HE
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  8,ME60 SNORT$ ,SUZY4 8,IF ,I CD GET ^!
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  ,!Y DID4











             ,*APT] ,TW5TY          #BIC

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