,I ,,0 ,A ,,RAT6


                  ,BY
           ,,PHILIP ,,PULLMAN

        ,PUBLI%$ 0,DELL ,YE>L+1
         ,NEW ,YORK1 ,NEW ,YORK
    ,COPY"R #AIII 0,PHILIP ,PULLMAN
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
             ,C>OLYN ,RI<I
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #B ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;II & #IA-AIF

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
























              ,GOOSE ,W1!R           #IA

  ,AF 2+ ,/4 ,MAT!W'S1 ! FAIR MOV$ ON 6A
T[N FIFTY MILES AWAY 62COME ! ,GOOSE
,FAIR4 ,AT ? "T ( YE>1 "! 7 A LOT (
GEESE 2+ FATT5$ = ,*RI/MAS1 & AUTUMN 0
GETT+ ON1 S ! EV5+S 7 L;G] & D>K]4
  ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW 0 LOOK+ =W>D 6GD BUSI-
;S1 2C P 7 M WILL+ 6-E 9 \ (! COLD &
LOOK AT AN EXHIBI;N ( CURIOSITIES ?AN !Y
7 9 ! L;G SUMM] EV5+S1 :5 ! RIDES &
M]RY-G-R.DS DID _! BE/ BUSI;S4 ,HE PD =A
NEW SIGN %[+ ! RAT-BOY1 WE>+ AN EXPRES.N
( SAVAGE MALEVOL;E1 GRE5 V5OM DRIPP+ F
HIDE\S FANGS4 ,HE EV5 _H SPECIAL L1FLETS
PR9T$1 & TRAVEL$ AH1D & 4TRIBUT$ !M 9
ALL ! PUBS4
  ,Z = ,ROG]1 HE TOOK 62+ A RAT-BOY QKLY
5\<1 ONCE HE R1LIZ$ :AT HE _H 6D2 & HE
DIDN'T M9D :AT HE ATE1 S ! FI% H1DS &
ROTT5 C>ROTS W5T D[N EASILY 5\<2 B "!
WASN'T ANY GD;S 9 !M1 & PRES5TLY HE 2GAN
6FEEL A LL LI/.S4 ,HE DIDN'T 5JOY SWI%+
8 TAIL ANYMORE1 &! RAT SUIT 0 GETT+
LOOSE4
  ,MRS4 ,TAPSCREW CURS$ & TOOK X 9   #IB
HALF AN 9*4
  8,HE A9'T EAT+ 8 SCRAPS10 %E SD 6H]
HUSB& Z !Y SAT 9 _! C>AVAN4 ,! LAMPLI<T
0 GOLD51 ! /OVE 0 W>M1 ! KETTLE 0 S++4
,\TSIDE1 ! RA9 0 LA%+ AT ! W9D[S1 &! AU-
TUMN W9D 0 H[L+4
  8,MMM10 SD ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW1 APPLY+ A
MAT* 6HIS CIG> & PU6+ LUXURI\SLY4 8,?9K
WE "\ 6FE$ HM PROP]1 !N80 HE SD ONCE X 0
NICELY LIT4 8,BIT ( S\P ( AN EV5+80
  8,DON'T 2 DAFT4 ,Y "K H[ ! TAK+S G UP
AT FE$+ "T4 ,IF HE'S FULL ( S\P & /UFF1
HE WON'T 2 WOR? WAT*+4 ,NO1 ,I ?9K Y "\
6HIT HM40
  8,WELL10 SD ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW RELUCTANT-
LY1 8,I CD4 ,! ?+ IS10 HE W5T ON1 EXAM9+
! GL[+ TOBA3O1 8,I DON'T ?9K HE'S NOR-
MAL4 ,I DON'T ?9K HE "U/&S ! M1N+ (
?+S40
  8,Y'RE TOO S(T10 %E SD1 SNAPP+ (F A
?R1D 2T H] TEE?4 8,Y'RE GETT+ ATTA*$ TO
HM4 ,T'S YR PRO#M4 ,L T BLOOM+ M]MAID4
,Y 7 TOO 9T]E/$ 9 H] 0A L;G WAY--0
  8,ALL "R1 ALL "R10 SD ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW
HA/ILY4 8,I'LL D Z Y SAY1 DE>4       #IC
,I'M SURE HE'LL SETTLE D[N40
  ,ROG] 0 TRY+ 6SETTLE D[N AT T V MO;T4
,HE SLEPT 9 8 PIT1 CURL$ UP 9 ! SEW]
PIPE1 & X 0 COLD & DRAFTY1 & ,MRS4 ,TAP-
SCREW 0 SEW+ UP 8 RAT SUIT1 S HE _H ONLY
8 TATT]$ OLD PAGE BOY UNI=M 6GU>D AG/ !
COLD4 ,B HE PIL$ UP "S /RAW 6KEEP \ !
WOR/ (! W9D & NIB#D A TWIG T "S"O _H
?R[N 9 & :ISP]$ ! ^WS HE ALW :ISP]$ EA*
NI<T 2F HE W5T 6SLEEP3 8,BOB & ,JOAN--
BR1D & MILK--NI<T%IRT--PRIVY--PATI5TS40
  ,& SOON AFW HE FELL ASLEEP4
  ,B HE _HN'T BE5 ASLEEP = L;G 2F A
KNOCK+ S.D WOKE HM UP4 ,X 0 -+ F ! WOOD5
WALL (! WAGON1 AT ! BACK ( 8 SEW] PIPE4
,HE TURN$ R.D & PRESS$ 8 E> 6! WALL1 &
"! X WAS3 .KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK--.KNOCK-
KNOCK-KNOCK4
  ,& !N "! CAME A :ISP] "? ! CRACKS 9 !
PLANKS4
  8,PS/6 ,RAT-,BOY60
  ,ROG] WOKE UP PROP]LY4
  8,YES80 HE :ISP]$ BACK4
  8,LI/510 SD ! VOICE1 8,I'M GO+ 6HELP Y
ESCAPE4 ,9 A M9UTE1 ,I'M GO+ TO      #ID
H1VE ? PLANK \ ! WAY1 & Y C WRI7LE "?40
  8,OH10 SD ,ROG]4 8,DOES ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW
"K80
  8,NO1 & X'S BETT] IF HE DON'T10 SD !
VOICE4 8,KEEP X QUIET N[1 ,RAT-,BOY4 ,"H
GOES40
  ,"! 0 A CRACK &A SPL9T]+ NOISE1 & ALL
(A SU45 A COLD W9D BLEW 9 ON ,ROG] F A
PLANK-WIDE GAP 9 ! WALL4 ,AMAZ$1 HE PE]$
\ & SAW 0! FLICK]+ LI<T (A HURRICANE
LANT]N A BOY A LL BI7] ?AN HMF1 ) V PALE
HAIR T HUNG L A CURTA9 OV] 8 =EH1D4
,ROG] ADMIR$ HM ENORM\SLY AT ONCE4
  8,-E ON10 SD ! BOY4 8,WRI7LE "?4 ,I
BET Y C40
  ,ROG] 0 NATUR,Y A GD WRI7L]1 & 8 DIET
_H LEFT HM S ?9 T HE _H NO TR\# AT ALL 9
SQUIRM+ "? ! GAP4 ,HE FELL ON ! MU4Y
GR.D & GOT UP AT ONCE4
  8,-E ON10 SD ! BOY4 8,LET'S RUN4 ,WE
GOT 6GET AWAY60
  8,Y1H60 SD ,ROG]1 JO9+ HM AT ONCE4
  ,!Y RAN AL;G 2T ! /ALLS1 & !N ! O!R
BOY TURN$ & CR\*$ 9 ! %AD[S 2S ! ,<O/
,TRA91 WAIT+ 6BE SURE ! WAY 0        #IE
CLE>4
  8,>E Y HELP+ U ALL ESCAPE80 SD ,ROG]4
  8,:Y1 :O ELSE IS "!80 SD ! BOY4 8,I
?"\ Y 0 ! ONLY FR1K40
  8,"!'S !M10 SD ,ROG]1 PO9T+ UP AT !
PA9T$ <O/S & SKELETONS (! ,<O/ ,TRA94
8,!Y'RE ALL LOCK$ 9 "! L ,I WAS4 ,WE CD
LET !M \ TOO40
  8,Y'RE A D[NY C>D1 A9'T*]80 SD ! BOY1
LOOK+ BO? WAYS C>E;LLY4 8,"R1 -E ON60
  ,& HE SET (F4 ,ROG] FOLL[$1 LOOK+ BACK
RELUCTANTLY AT ! /-IMPRISON$ PHANTOMS4
,ONCE !Y 7 SAFELY 9 ! D>K;S (! ALLEYS "U
! CA/LE1 ! BOY /OPP$4
  8,N[10 HE SD4 8,Y CALL ME ,BILLY1 "U-
/&80
  8,OH1 YES1 ,I "U/&10 SD ,ROG]4 8,T'S
YR "N1 ,BILLY40
  8,Y1H4 ,N[ ,I BE5 WAT*+ Y1 ,RAT-,BOY4
,I BE5 9 6LOOK AT YR PIT ?REE "TS TD1
WAT*+ Y WRI7LE4 ,Y PROBABLY DIDN'T SEE
ME1 B ,I 0 "!4 ,I'M ON ! LOOK\T =A GD
WRI7L]1 SEE1 & ,I ADMIR$ YR /YLE4 ,I ?"\
Y WRI7L$ L A *AMPION4 ,I GOT A JOB = Y1
,RAT-,BOY4 ,S N[ Y GOT 6D Z ,I       #IF
TELL Y4 ,2C ,I RESCU$ Y1 & X'S L Y 2L;G
6ME2 Y GOT 6D "EY?+ ,I SAY40
  8,OH10 SD ,ROG]1 NO4+4 8,I'LL REMEMB]
T40
  8,YES1 Y BETT]4 ,Y'RE ! L[E/ (! L[1 Y
>E40
  8,! L[E/ (! L[10 SD ,ROG] PR\DLY4
  8,T'S "R4 ,N[ LI/51 & ,I'LL TELL Y "S-
?+ Y N"E HE>D AB4 ,Y LI/5+80
  8,OH1 YES10 SD ,ROG]1 EAG] 6LE>N4
  8,LOOK OV] "!1 !N10 SD ,BILLY1 & PO9T$
ACR ! ALLEY4 ,OPPOSITE !M 0 A RU/Y IRON
GATE ) "S BROK5 SPIKES AT ! TOP1 & "? !
GATE1 ! 4MAL GL1M (A FEE# GAS LAMP CA/ A
GL[ OV] "S WE$-COV]$ GRAVES & BROK5
TOMB/"OS4
  8,SEE T 9 "!80 ,BILLY :ISP]$4
  8,Y1H4 ,LOOKS NICE4 ,I BET "!'S--0
  8,%UT UP4 ,X DON'T LOOK NICE4 ,X LOOKS
HORRI#4 ,SC>Y1 T'S :AT X LOOKS4 ,T'S ":
!Y BURY ALL ! D1D P4 ,N[ R1L P1 L ME1 WE
DIE NATURAL4 ,B RATS1 L Y--0
  8,OH10 SD ,ROG]1 8,I A9'T A RAT ANY-
MORE4 ,I'M A PROP] BOY40
  8,ONCE A RAT1 ALW A RAT10 SD       #IG
,BILLY1 & HE SD X ) S* SIMPLE C]TA9TY T
X IMPRESS$ ,ROG] PROF.DLY4 ,HE /RU7L$ )
X1 B ! ^WS WDN'T G AWAY4 ,HE SD !M 6HMF
6MAKE SURE !Y 7 "R1 & ,BILLY NO4$4
  8,T'S X10 HE SD4 8,N[1 Y 9T]RUPT$ ME1
& ,I DON'T L T4 ,DON'T D X AG4 ,I 0 GO+
6SAY T RATS L Y N"E DIE NATURAL40
  8,DON'T WE80
  8,NO4 ,Y GOT 6BE /]M9AT$4 ,IF P ?9K
"!'S RATS AB1 !Y S5D =! ,/]M9ATOR4 ,& IF
!Y EV5 S M* Z SUSPECT Y'RE A RAT "UN1?1
WAT* \4 ,! ,/]M9ATOR'LL 2 ON 8 WAY40
  ,X S.D$ HORRI#4 ,ROG] GULP$ & REMEMB]$
! POLICE S]G1NT3 HE _H M5;N$ ! ,/]M9ATOR
TOO4 ,HE TREM#D & MANAG$ 6SAY1 8,:AT'S X
L80
  8,X'S N AN X4 ,X'S A HM4 ,NO "O'S "E
SE5 :AT HE'S L4 ,HE -ES AL;G ) 8 APP>A-
TUS &--0
  ,! ^W .APP>ATUS FILL$ ,ROG] )A DEEP &
HORRI# DR1D4 ,T]RIFY+ PICTURES (A FACE.S
MAN >M$ ) "S %AD[Y 5G9E KEPT ?RU/+ !MVS
96HIS M9D1 & HE CDN'T KEEP !M \4
  8,NO6 ,DON'T TELL ME60 HE BE7$4
  8,OH1 ,I'VE GOT TO1 ,ROG]10        #IH
,BILLY SD G5TLY4 8,X WDN'T 2 "R IF ,I
DIDN'T TELL Y AB ! ,/]M9ATOR4 ,:AT HE
DOES ) 8 APP>ATUS0--,ROG] %IV]$ & MOAN$
--8NO "O "KS1 B :5 HE'S BE5 /]M9AT+1 "!
A9'T A S+LE RAT LEFT 6TELL ! TALE4 ,!Y
F9D 'EM ) BLOOD ON _! :ISK]S & _! FACES
TWI/$ )A "N.S HORROR40
  8,I A9'T GOT NO :ISK]S10 SD ,ROG]1 9
FA9T HOPE4
  8,WDN'T MAKE NO DI6];E4 ,! ,/]M9ATOR1
HE C TELL IF "S"O'S A RAT "UN1?1 EV5 IF
!Y LOOK L A BOY 9 E "PICUL>40
  8,HAS "! BE5 O!R RATS TURN$ 96BOYS1
!N80
  8,Y1H4 ,DOESN'T HAPP5 (T51 B X HAS BE5
"KN4 ,! ,/]M9ATOR'S V H>D ON ^? CASES4
,!Y'RE ! "OS HE WANTS 6/]M9ATE MO/ (
ALL40
  8,L ME10 :ISP]$ ,ROG]1 CLUT*+ HMF )
BO? >MS4
  8,J L Y4 ,X'S A GD ?+ Y GOT ME 6LOOK
AF Y1 9NIT8 ,Y D Z ,I SAY & ,I'LL KEEP !
,/]M9ATOR (F Y4 ,B Y 4OBEY ME & ,I'LL 2
S UPSET ,I'LL =GET4 ,&! ,/]M9ATOR'LL H Y
:ILE MY BACK'S TURN$1 HE'S T QK40    #II
  8,OH1 NO1 DON'T =GET10 ,ROG] BE7$4
  8,DON'T UPSET ME & ,I WON'T4 ,N[ Y -E
AL;G O' ME & WE'LL F9D "S?+ 6EAT4 ,Y
HUNGRY80
  ,ROG] 0 %AK+ S H>D HE FELT 8 TEE? *AT-
T] & 8 KNEES KNOCK4 ,HE CL5*$ 8 JAW &
NO4$1 & GRIPP$ 8 KNEES 6/OP !M F KNOCK+1
9 CASE ! S.D ATTRACT$ ! ,/]M9ATOR4 ,"! 0
A LOOSE & SWIMMY S5S,N ALL >.D HM4
  8,FOLL[ ME1 !N10 SD ,BILLY4
  ,HE L$ ,ROG] D[N ANO!R ALLEY1 96A
C\RTY>D LIT ONLY 0! GL1M ON ! WET COB#S1
& LIFT$ ! LID (A COAL *UTE4 ,A FA9T GL[
CAME UP1 A3OMPANI$ 0! SMELL ( FRY+4
  8,D[N Y G10 SD ,BILLY1 %OV+ H>D1 & 2F
HE KNEW :AT 0 HAPP5+1 ,ROG] _H SLID &
TUM#D ONTO ! DU/Y FLOOR (A CELL>1 ": A
R+ ( GLITT]+ EYES SURR.D$ HM4
  ,A H& R1*$ \ & SNAT*$ HM (F ! FLOOR A
SECOND 2F ,BILLY TUM#D D[N ! *UTE 2H HM4
,ROG] SAW HALF A DOZ5 BOYS1 ALL BI7] ?AN
HE WAS1 & ALL RA7$ & DIRTY4 ,! GLITT] 9
_! EYES CAME F AN OIL LAMP & F ! R$-HOT
GL[ (A /OVE1 ON : "O (! BOYS 0 FRY+
*IPS4                               #AJJ
  8,? IS ! RAT-BOY10 SD ,BILLY1 DU/+ HMF
(F4 8,Y REMEMB]40
  8,OH1 YES10 SD "O BOY4
  8,AHA10 SD ANO!R4
  8,S ? IS HM10 SD A ?IRD4
  ,ROG] "U/OOD T ! BOYS 7 GLAD 6SEE HM4
,HE DID :AT HE'D SE5 O!R P D1 & HELD \ 8
H&4
  8,H[ D Y D10 HE SD 6! F/ BOY1 & !Y ALL
%OOK 8 H& "O 0"O1 LAU<+4 ,!Y 7 S FRLY1
SQUEEZ+ 8 >MS1 PRET5D+ 6LOOK = 8 TAIL1
FLU6+ UP 8 HAIR1 T HE ?"\ HE'D N"E BE5
HAPPI]2 & !N !Y GAVE HM A HOT *IP & RO>$
) LAU<T] :5 HE BURN$ 8 M\? & DROPP$ X ON
! FLOOR1 & HE FELT S GRATE;L 6!M T 8
EYES FILL$ ) TE>S & HE LAU<$ EV5 H>D]
?AN !Y DID4







         ,WELL1 ,":'S ,HE ,G"O8     #AJA

  8,OH1 ! WICK$;S60 SD ,JOAN4 8,WE F9D
HM AT LA/1 & LOOK AT ?60
  ,X 0 A COLD GRAY MORN+4 ,%E HELD
,BOB'S >M Z !Y /OOD 9 ! RA9-SWEPT FAIR-
GR.D1 GAZ+ UP AT ! PICTURE (! RAT-BOY &
8 V5OM-DRIPP+ FANGS4
  8,HOLD ON10 SD ,BOB1 8:AT'S ?80
  ,JOAN PE]$ CLOSELY AT ! NOTICE P9N$ ON
! DOOR (! WAGON3 ..,DUE 6UN=ESE5 CIRCUM-
/.ES1 ! _W-FAM\S ,RAT-,BOY W N 2 APPE>+
TD4 ,EXHIBI;N CLOS$ UNTIL FUR!R NOTICE4
,OP5 AG ,,SOON ) EV5 M AMAZ+ WOND]S4 ,O4
,TAPSCREW1 .,PROPRIETOR4
  ,JOAN R1D X AL\D4 8,I HOPE ,ROG] A9'T
FALL5 ILL10 %E SD4 8,KNOCK ON ! DOOR &
FET* ? ,TAPSCREW \1 ,BOB40
  ,BOB KNOCK$1 &A M9UTE LAT]1 A H>ASS$
,MR4 ,TAPSCREW OP5$ X4
  8,C'T Y R1D80 HE SD4 8,! P]=M.E HAS
BE5 C.EL$40
  8,": IS HE80 SD ,BOB4
  8,N"O ( YR BUSI;S10 SD ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW1
& WD H %UT ! DOOR EXCEPT T ,BOB _H 8
FOOT 9 X4 8,OY60 HE W5T ON4 8,G     #AJB
AWAY60
  8,Y'D BETT] LI/5 6U10 SD ,BOB1 8ELSE
WE'RE GO+ 6! POLICE40
  8,LET 'EM IN10 SD A VOICE F 9SIDE1 A
VOICE T S.D$ 6,JOAN L LEMON M>MALADE )
TOO LL SUG> 9 X4
  ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW OP5$ ! DOOR1 & ,BOB &
,JOAN W5T 9 AF HM4
  8,WELL80 HE SD4
  8,WE WANT 6"K :AT Y D"O ) \R ,ROG]10
SD ,BOB FIRMLY4
  8,H[ D'Y\ "K HE 0 YRS80 SD ,MRS4 ,TAP-
SCREW AT ONCE4
  8,WE F.D A WIT;S10 SD ,BOB4 8,WE "K Y
TOOK HM4 ,Y C'T D5Y X4 ,S ": IS HE80
  8,WAIT A M9UTE10 SD ,MRS4 ,TAPSCREW4
8,:AT'S YR 9T]E/ 9 ! RAT-BOY8 ,Y CLAIM+
6BE 8 [N]S8 ,Y'D H 6PROVE X40
  8,C\RSE WE A9'T 8 .[N]S60 SD ,JOAN
HOTLY4 8,:AT D'Y\ ?9K HE IS1 A SLAVE OR
A DOG OR "S?+80
  8,N 8 [N]S10 SD ,MRS4 ,TAPSCREW4 8,!N
,I DON'T SEE :AT BUSI;S X IS ( YRS4 ,%[
!M \1 ,OLIV]40
  8,OH1 NO10 SD ,BOB1 & :5 HE       #AJC
/OOD /1 NO?+ ON E>? CD BUDGE HM4 8,Y
LI/5 6ME1 & DON'T Y TALK TILL ,I'VE F9-
I%$4 ,T LL BOY -E 6U1 & WE TOOK HM IN4
,HE DIDN'T H>DLY "K NO?+1 B HE 0 A GD LL
BOY1 & HE TRI$ H>D 6LE>N4 ,B !N HE GOT
LO/1 & T'S ! LA/ WE KNEW TILL WE HE>D (
Y ASK+ AB RAT-BOYS4 ,HE MAY 2 A RAT-BOY
6Y1 &A H&"S LIV+1 ,I DON'T D\BT1 B HE
DON'T 2L;G "H1 HE 2L;GS 9 A HOME ": HE'S
GO+ 6BE PROP]LY LOOK$ AF4 ,S ": IS HE80
  8,HE'S A FR1K10 SD ,MRS4 ,TAPSCREW4
8,HALF RAT1 HALF HUMAN4 ,HE NE$S A PRO-
FES.N4 ,WE 0 TRA9+ HM =A F9E C>E]4 ,HE
CD H BE5 ! BE/ FR1K ( ALL "T4 ,HE CD'VE
BE5 FAM\S4 ,HE _H ! F9E/ C>E] 9 FRONT (
HM T ANY FR1K'S "E _H4 ,HE CD'VE--0
  8,:AT D'Y\ M1N1 .FR1K80 SD ,JOAN4
  8,:AT ,I SAY4 ,HE WASN'T PROP]LY HU-
MAN4 ,HE CDN'T H EAT5 ALL T FIL? O!R-
WISE4 ,HE 0 A--0
  8,FIL?8 ,:AT FIL?8 ,:AT >E Y TALK+
AB80 SD ,JOAN4
  ,BOB CD FEEL H] LOS+ H] TEMP]1 & HE
PUT 8 H& ON H] >M4
  8,N"E M9D ! DETAILS10 HE SD4      #AJD
8,WE WANT ! MA9 "Q1 &! MA9 "Q IS1 ": IS
HE80
  8,HE'S G"O10 SD ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW4
  8,:580
  8,LA/ NI<T4 ,HE BU/ \ ( 8 WAGON4
,LOVELY W>M WAGON10 ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW SD
BITT]LY1 8) E SORT ( 3V5I;E1 & HE GOES &
SMA%ES A PLANK \ ! SIDE4 ,T'S GO+ 6CO/
ME1 T IS4 ,IF Y'RE RESPONSI# = HM1 ,I
%DN'T WOND] IF X "\ 6BE Y Z PAYS = X40
  8,Y LOCK \R LL BOY UP & S5D U A BILL
:5 HE ESCAPES80 SD ,BOB4 8,DON'T 2 DAFT4
,LET'S G & LOOK AT ? WAGON40
  ,JOAN 0 FEEL+ /RANGE4 ,X 0 ,BOB SAY+
.\R .LL .BOY4 ,HE'D N"E SD T 2F1 & %E'D
N"E ?"\ X1 B N[ X 0 Z IF %E 0 3NECT$ TO
,ROG] )! SAME SORT ( DEEP 3NEC;N T JO9$
H] 6,BOB1 & %E FELT H]F SAY+ X AG 9 H]
H1D3 .\R .LL .BOY4
  ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW 0 RELUCTANT 6%[ !M !
WAGON1 2C HE _H ! IDEA T !Y WDN'T ?9K X
0 Q Z -=TA# Z HE'D SD1 B HE CDN'T >GUE )
,BOB4
  ,S GRUMPILY HE TOOK 8 BUN* ( KEYS1 &)
,MRS4 ,TAPSCREW -+ Z WELL 6>GUE1    #AJE
!Y ALL TROOP$ R.D 6OP5 ! RAT-BOY'S PIT4
  ,JOAN WAV$ H] H& 9 FRONT ( H] NOSE4
  8,Y DIDN'T KEEP HM 9 "H60 %E CRI$4
  8,HE WASN'T V FA/IDI\S 9 8 HABITS10 SD
,MRS4 ,TAPSCREW4
  8,HE DIDN'T H ANY?+ 6BE FA/IDI\S IN60
SD ,JOAN4 8,& :AT'S ?8 ,IS ? :AT Y GAVE
HM 6EAT80
  8,NO1 NO10 SD ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW1 %OV+ A
PIECE ( MOLDY BR1D "U A PILE ( /RAW )!
SIDE ( 8 FOOT4 8,WE GAVE HM LOVELY FOOD
--S\P1 /EW--"E S N\RI%+4 ,? 0 J PROFES-
.NAL FOOD4 ,A PROP10 HE A4$4 8,T'S :AT
WE CALL X4 ,PROPS40
  8,SLOPS1 M L10 SD ,JOAN4
  ,BOB 0 PE]+ AT ! BROK5 PLANK4
  8,HE N"E D"O T10 HE SD 6,MR4 ,TAP-
SCREW4 8,Y'RE NO "WMAN1 ELSE Y'D SEE 9 A
MO;T4 ,"!'S NO L"EAGE 9 "H4 ,-E \TSIDE40
  ,!Y W5T R.D ! BACK1 & ,BOB B5T D[N &
PO9T$ 6"S M>KS ON ! NEXT PLANK D[N4
  8,SEE T80 HE SD4 8,T 0 A CR[B> Z D"O
T4 ,HE N"E BROKE \4 ,"S"O BROKE IN1 &
LET HM \40
  ,& HE /RAI<T5$ UP & FAC$ ,MR4     #AJF
,TAPSCREW1 !N SU45LY PRO4$ HM 9 ! *E/ )A
=EF+] T FELT L A BATT]+ RAM4 ,MR4 ,TAP-
SCREW /A7]$ BACKW>D4
  8,OH--AH--0 HE GASP$4 8,NO NE$ = AS-
SAULT--0
  8,Y'RE RESPONSI# = ?10 ,BOB SD1 & N[ 8
VOICE 0 L A BATT]+ RAM TOO1 A V H1VY "O
MADE ( SOLID OAK4
  8,NO1 N AT ALL6 ,N A BIT ( X60 ,MR4
,TAPSCREW BLU/]$4 8,WE DID "EY?+ WE CD
6KEEP HM SAFE & SECURE60
  8,WELL1 .":'S .HE .G"O80












            ,! ,%>P ,>TICLE         #AJG

  ,! BOYS 9 ! CELL> SLEPT = MO/ (! "D1 &
S DID ,ROG]4 ,:5 HE WOKE UP1 HE F.D
,BILLY %AK+ HM & HOLD+ "S NEW CLO!S4
  8,"H10 SD ,BILLY1 8,I GOT Y "S NEW
DUDS40
  8,DID Y J BUY 'EM80 SD ,ROG]1 AMAZ$ AT
? G5]OS;Y4
  8,Y'RE A %>P >TICLE1 & NO MISTAKE10 SD
,BILLY4 8,I REQUISI;N$ 'EM1 T'S :AT ,I
DID4 ,N[ SLIP !M OLD TOGS (F & PUT ^!
ON40
  ,:5 ,ROG] PR\DLY /OOD "! 9 8 NEW %IRT
& JACKET1 HE LOOK$ Q DI6]5T F ! TATT]$
LL PAGE BOY HE'D BE54 ,HE LOOK$ L A %>P
>TICLE1 OR A D[NY C>D4
  8,N[10 SD ,BILLY1 8Y GOT 6/>T E>N+ A
LIV+4 ,ME & MY ASSOCIATES1 WE _H A PRIME
WRI7L] 9 ! -PANY1 ONLY HE GOT TOO FAT4
,& "O "D1 HE SET \ A-WRI7L+ & HE GOT
W$G$4 ,C\RSE1 "! 0 NO?+ WE CD D4 ,HE 0
2Y \R HELP4 ,WE _H 6L1VE HM "!40
  8,DID ! ,/]M9ATOR GET HM80
  8,I CDN'T SAY4 ,MAYBE HE DIDN'T &
MAYBE HE DID4 ,B T WRI7L] W]5'T Z   #AJH
GD Z Y4 ,Y WDN'T GET W$G$40
  8,NO10 ,ROG] AGRE$1 %AK+ 8 H1D VIGOR-
\SLY4
  8,WELL1 T'S :Y Y CAU<T MY EYE 9 !
FAIR4 ,& :5 Y WRI7L$ \ ! WAGON LA/ NI<T1
T J MADE ME EV5 SUR]4 ,Y'RE A _W-CLASS
WRI7L]1 NO D\BT AB X40
  ,ROG] GL[$4
  8,AM ,I GO+ WRI7L+ TD80 HE SD4
  8,? EV5+10 SD ,BILLY4 8,WE'RE NOCTUR-
NAL4 ,L Y1 ,RAT-,BOY4 ,Y'RE A NOCTURNAL
WRI7L]40
  8,Y1H10 SD ,ROG]4 8,T'S :AT ,I AM40
  ,! ASSOCIATES 7 J WAK+ UP4 ,!Y ALL AD-
MIR$ ,ROG]'S NEW DUDS1 & SOON "! 7 E7S &
SLICES ( HAM FRY+ ON ! /OVE1 & ,ROG] 0
ALL[$ A *UNK ( *EESE Z BIG Z 8 TWO FI/S
TGR4
  ,AF !Y'D EAT51 & :5 X 0 D>K \TSIDE1
,BILLY SD1 8,ALL "R1 LADS4 ,L9E UP40
  ,! ASSOCIATES /OOD 9 A R[1 & ,BILLY
9SPECT$ !M C>E;LLY4 ,HE *ECK$ _! %OES
76MAKE SURE !Y DIDN'T H METAL BITS ON !
HEEL T MADE A NOISE1 OR BROK5 %OELACES T
WD TRIP !M UP71 _! CLO!S 76MAKE     #AJI
SURE !Y WORE NO?+ LI<T-COLOR$ T WD %[ UP
& GIVE !M AWAY71 & _! SACKS4 ,EA* BOY
C>RI$ A SACK1 & HE _H 6HOLD X UP & %[
,BILLY "! 0 NO HOLE 9 X4
  8,ALL PRES5T & CORRECT10 ,BILLY SD4
8,GD LADS4 ,N[ WE GOT A NEW WRI7L]1 S WE
WON'T H ! TR\# WE _H LA/ "T4 ,& Z SOON Z
WE'RE D"O1 /RAI<T BACK "H 0DI6]5T R\TES4
,J G "? 'EM1 6%[ Y REMEMB]4 ,DOZZ] F/40
  ,A BOY RECIT$1 8,"? ! G>D5 OV] ! F;E
TURN "R AL;G ! CANAL OV] ! BRIDGE R.D !
CA/LE "? ! M>KET & BACK HOME40
  8,T'S "R10 SD ,BILLY1 & EA* (! O!R
BOYS RECIT$ 8 R\TE1 ALL DI6]5T4 ,BILLY
TURN$ 6,ROG] & SD1 8,T'S ! P[] ( ORGANI-
Z,N1 SEE4 ,Z = Y1 Y /ICK 0ME & Y WON'T G
WR;G40
  ,NORM,Y1 HE EXPLA9$1 !Y LEFT ! CELL>
0CLIMB+ A ROPE ,BILLY _H FIX$ 0! COAL
*UTE1 B HE WANT$ 6*ECK ,ROG]'S WRI7L+ "O
LA/ "T1 S HE PO9T$ 6A T9Y W9D[ HI< UP 9
A CORN]4
  8,SEE H[ L;G X TAKES Y 6GET "? T10 HE
SD4 8,& M9D1 A GD WRI7L]'S GOT 6BE Z
QUIET Z A WORM40                    #AAJ
  8,I C D T60 SD ,ROG]1 & GOT "? 9 LESS
?AN HALF A M9UTE & WAIT$ EXCIT$LY =! O?-
]S 6CLIMB ! ROPE4
  ,PRES5TLY ALL ! BOYS 7 /&+ QUIETLY 9 !
ALLEY4 ,BILLY PATT$ EA* "O ON ! BACK &
S5T !M (F AT ?IRTY-SECOND 9T]VALS4 ,X 0
S D>K T EV5 ,ROG]'S KE5 EYES CDN'T SEE
": !Y W5T4
















               ,REMOVALS            #AAA

  ,HALF AN H\R LAT]1 !Y 7 CR\*+ 9 ! BU%-
ES AT ! $GE (A F9E BIG G>D51 LOOK+ UP AT
! %UTT]$ W9D[S (A GR& H\SE4
  8,N[1 ? IS ! PRO#M1 ,ROG]10 ,BILLY
:ISP]$4 8,WE GOT 6GET IN1 B "!'S ONLY "O
WAY1 & T'S A LOOSE AIR BRICK OV] ! SCUL-
L]Y4 ,B Y CD WRI7LE "? "! 9 A SECOND1 ,I
BET40
  8,Y1H1 ,I BET TOO10 SD ,ROG]4
  8,ONCE Y'RE 9SIDE10 ,BILLY EXPLA9$1 8Y
GOT 6LOOK >.D & F9D A KEY4 ,MO/ FOLKS >E
C>E.S1 & S]VANTS >E SPECI,Y C>E.S4 ,!Y
DON'T L _! MA/]S & MI/RESSES1 & !Y DON'T
TAKE TR\# = 'EM4 ,S Y LOOK >.D1 & T5 6"O
Y'LL F9D A KEY ON A HOOK "S":1 OR A
NAIL4 ,GET T KEY & -E & OP5 ! KIT*5
DOOR40
  8,I C D T60 SD ,ROG]4 8,:AT >E WE GO+
6D !N8 ,>E WE GO+ 6LIVE "!80
  8,NO10 SD ,BILLY1 8! [N]S WANT U 6D A
REMOVAL JOB40
  ,ROG] LIK$ ! S.D ( T & SD X 6HMF S"EAL
"TS4
  ,:5 "EY"O 0 R1DY1 ,BILLY SD1      #AAB
8,N[1 LOOK CLOSELY AT ! WALL J NEXT 6T
LL W9D[ & UP A BIT4 ,"!'S A BRICK )
HOLES 9 X "!1 :AT'S CALL$ AN AIR BRICK4
,Y TAKE MY CR[B>--"H X IS--& GET UP ON !
W9D[SILL1 & JI7LE X 9 2S ! AIR BRICK1 &
GET X LOOSE4 ,:5 X -ES \1 Y WRI7LE 9 &
LOOK =! KEY40
  ,?RILL$ 6BE TRU/$ ) S* -PLICAT$ 9/RUC-
;NS1 ,ROG] TOOK ! CR[B> F ,BILLY4 ,A FEW
SECONDS LAT]1 HE 0 JI7L+ AWAY AT ! CRUM-
BL+ MORT>1 & PRES5TLY ! AIR BRICK DID -E
LOOSE4 ,HE PASS$ X D[N 6,BILLY & !N 2GAN
6WRI7LE "?4
  ,X 0 A GD ?+ HE 0 A _W-CLASS WRI7L]1 &
PROBABLY A GD ?+ TOO T HE'D LO/ WEI<T 2+
! RAT-BOY1 2C S"EAL "PS ( HM NE>LY GOT
/UCK4 ,B EV5 8 WIDE/ BITS 7 N>R[1 & :AT
HE REMEMB]$ AB 2+ A RAT HELP$ TOO4 ,X
TOOK HM F\R :OLE M9UTES B HE GOT "? 9 !
5D1 6FALL 9 A H1P ON ! SCULL]Y FLOOR1
COV]$ 9 DU/ & MORT>4
  8,I D"O X60 HE %\T$4 8,I GOT IN60
  8,GD BOY10 SD ,BILLY \TSIDE1 V QUIET &
CALM4
  ,! ASSOCIATES1 HID+ 9 ! BU%ES1    #AAC
ALL HE>D ,ROG]'S %\T1 & _! N]VES 7 ALL
TWIT*+2 B !Y FELT A GL[ ( ADMIR,N =!
COOL;S ( _! L1D]1 Z HE J SPOKE S(TLY &
DIDN'T MOVE4
  8,N[ Y'RE IN10 ,BILLY 0 SAY+1 8Y GOT
6MOVE >.D V QUIETLY4 ,T'S ! WAY WE D RE-
MOVALS4 ,NO NOISE4 ,N[ LOOK = T KEY40
  ,A M9UTE W5T BY4 ,BILLY DIDN'T MOVE4
,NOR DID ! ASSOCIATES4 ,ANO!R M9UTE W5T
BY4 ,!N "! 0 A LL SCRA2L+ NOISE AT !
BACK DOOR1 & ,BILLY 0 "! 9 A FLA%1 TURN+
! H&LE1 &! DOOR SWUNG OP54
  ,! ASSOCIATES CAME TIPTOE+ OV] ! FLAG-
/"OS1 MAK+ NO M NOISE ?AN A FLOCK ( %AD-
[S4 ,SECONDS AF ! DOOR _H 2GUN 6OP51 !Y
7 ALL 9 ! BIG KIT*5 )! DOOR %UT AG 2H
!M4
  8,WELL WRI7L$10 ,BILLY SD4 8,N[1 ,ROG-
]1 Y /AY "H & KEEP WAT*4 ,Y "K :AT 6D1
LADS40
  ,! ASSOCIATES FLITT$ AWAY 96! D>K
H\SE4 ,ROG] /AY$ 9 ! KIT*51 WOND]+ H[ TO
KEEP WAT* B WILL+ 6D X1 :AT"E X WAS4
  ,!N1 2+ ,ROG]1 HE LOOK$ >.D = "S?+ TO
EAT4                                #AAD
  ,2C ! FAMILY :O LIV$ 9 ! H\SE _H G"O
AWAY & TAK5 _! S]VANTS ) !M1 "! 0 NO
FRE% FOOD 9 ! KIT*54 ,B HE F.D ALL K9DS
( DRI$ FOOD 9 J>S & PACKETS & BOXES ON !
%ELVES4 ,AT F/ HE ?"\ HE'D F.D "S V L;G
& V ?9 PATI5TS1 B !Y TA/$ Q DI6]5T F !
WOOD5 "OS & SNAPP$ M EASILY1 S5D+ BITS (
!MVS FLY+ ALL OV] ! KIT*54 ,IF HE CD H
R1D ! PACKET1 X WD H TOLD HM HE 0 EAT+
SPA<ETTI4
  ,:5 HE'D _H 5 ( T1 HE F.D "S DRI$ FIGS
AT ! BACK (A %ELF4 ,!N HE ATE 8 WAY "? A
PACKET ( CR1M CRACK]S1 "O OLD & FLEXI#
C>ROT1 HALF A P.D ( RICE1 & "S V TA/Y
DRI$ B1NS4
  ,!N HE MADE A BIG MISTAKE4
  ,"! 0 A PAP] BAG TWI/$ UP 9 ! CORN]1 )
"S LI<T RATTL+ ?+S 9 X1 & ,ROG] AUTOMAT-
IC,Y ?RU/ !M ALL 96HIS M\? & *EW$ &
SWALL[$4 ,( C\RSE1 HE'D N"E HE>D ( *IL-
IES & N"E SUSPECT$ :AT ^! W]E4 ,!Y TOOK
A MO;T 6HIT4
  ,!N HE GASP$ & GO7L$ & 2GAN 6RUN >.D 9
CIRCLES1 FLAPP+ AT 8 M\? 9 ! HOPE (
COOL+ X D[N4 ,HE CDN'T IMAG9E :AT   #AAE
X 0 HE'D EAT54 ,8 LIPS & 8 T;GUE & 8
?ROAT & 8 /OMA* 7 ALL ABLAZE4 ,"PS ( 8
9SIDES HE'D N"E "KN AB 7 SIZZL+4 ,HE
YELP$--HE JUMP$--HE SQU1K$--HE G>GL$--HE
HOOT$--& SU45LY ! ?"\ CAME 6HM3 .,WAT]6
.,WAT]6 .,WAT]6
  ,HE RAN 6! TAP1 B ! WAT] 0 CUT (F AT !
MA9S1 & ONLY A HOLL[ RATTLE FILL$ 8
SCOR*+ M\?4 ,HE 0 MAK+ ALL K9DS ( NOISES
N[--MEWL+S & :9NY+S & YIPP+S & HOICK+S &
GURK+S--& !N HE REMEMB]$ ! BIG B>REL T
/OOD J \TSIDE ! KIT*5 DOOR4 ,HE'D SE5 X
ON ! WAY IN4
  ,HE TORE \TSIDE & SCRAM#D UP 2T ! B>-
REL &! WALL1 ONLY 6F9D A BIG WOOD5 LID
AT ! TOP4 ,HE HAUL$ X (F 9 DESP],N1
DROPP+ X 6! COB#S )A CRA%1 & PLUNG$ 8
:OLE H1D 96! COLD WET DELICI\S MOON-
REFLECT+ DEP?S4
  ,GRIPP+ ! B>REL ) BO? H&S1 FEET PRESS$
H>D 6! SLIPP]Y SIDES1 ,ROG] SWALL[$ &
GUZZL$ & SWALL[$ & GULP$4 ,OH1 ! RELIEF6
,! M>VEL\S COOL;S6 ,! SWEET WET;S ( 8
M\?6 ,HE SWALL[$ TILL HE 0 J AB
WAT]LO7$4                           #AAF
  ,Z FULL Z HE CD BE1 HE LOOS5$ 8 GRIP &
SLID D[N ! SIDE (! WAT] B>REL4 ,& HE =-
GOT ALL AB 8 BURN+ M\? & TURN$ 8 ATT5;N
D[NW>D1 = "S?+ /RANGE 0 HAPP5+ 9SIDE HM4
,HE /A7]$ SLI<TLY ON ! GR.D & LI/5$ 6HIS
/OMA*4 ,ALL K9DS ( BURBL+S & GURGL+S &
SWOO%+S & BU2L+S 7 TAK+ PLACE Z ! CAS-
CADE ( WAT] MET ! DRI$ B1NS &! RICE &
SLO%$ AB AM;G ! BITS ( SPA<ETTI4 ,ROG]
FELT 8 TURBUL5T BELLY ) APPREH5SIVE H&S4
,Z ! GRA9S ( RICE 2GAN 6SWELL1 &! DRI$
B1NS 2GAN 6SOAK UP ! WAT] & D\# 9 SIZE1
Z ! BITS ( PA/A GREW PLUMP & FAT1 ,ROG-
]'S /OMA* 2GAN 6/RA9 AT ! BUTTONS ( 8
NEW %IRT1 CR1K+ & RUMBL+4
  8,OH10 HE SD1 /A7]+ A BIT4 8,AH4
,OOH40 ,!N HE SD1 8.,HIC60
  ,HE'D N"E _H ! HI3UPS 2F4 ,HE ?"\ HE 0
EXPLOD+4 ,HE CL5*$ 8 TEE? TGR 6/OP X1 B
! NEXT .HIC SIMPLY CAME \ "? 8 NOSE IN-
/1D4 ,& ALL ! "T1 8 /OMA* 0 GETT+ FULL]
& FULL] & FATT] & FATT]4
  ,HE /A7]$ ? WAY & T1 GULP+1 HICK+1
GASP+1 SNORT+--& FEEL+ V SORRY = HMF
9DE$4                               #AAG
  ,SU45LY A LI<T %"O 96HIS EYES1 A H&
CLOS$ OV] 8 %\LD]1 &A DEEP VOICE SD1
8,:AT'S GO+ ON "H80





















                                    #AAH
























               ,:O'S ,T8            #AAI

  ,ABV !M1 9 A W9D[ OV]LOOK+ ! SCULL]Y
Y>D1 S"EAL PAIRS ( EYES GLITT]$ SIL5TLY
& !N )DREW4
  ,ROG]1 DAZ$ & BLOAT$1 CD H>DLY ?9K4 ,B
:5 HE LOOK$ UP & SAW ! POLICEMAN LOOM+
AG/ ! SKY1 HE KNEW "! 0 ONLY "O P]SON X
CD BE4
  8,BILLY6 ,HELP60 HE YELL$4 8,X'S !
,/]M9ATOR6 ,-E & HELP ME60
  ,& HE SANK 8 TEE? 96! POLICEMAN'S H&4
  ,! MAN GASP$ & LET HM G & SEIZ$ !
TRUN*EON AT 8 WAI/1 B ,ROG] 0 \ ( R1*
ALR & RUNN+ 9 FE>1 LOOK+ UP AT ! H\SE &
CALL+1 8,BILLY6 ,BILLY6 ,-E & FI<T HM60
  8,M ( Y1 >E "!80 SD ! POLICEMAN4 8,L
RATS 9 A TRAP40
  ,& HE BLEW 8 :I/LE4 ,T 0 5 = ,ROG]4
,IF ! MAN SPOKE ( RATS1 HE M/ 2 ! ,/]MI-
NATOR1 &! :I/LE M/ 2 8 HORRIFY+ APP>ATUS
/>T+ UP4 ,= ALL 8 LOYALTY 6,BILLY1 & DE-
SPITE 8 WAT]LO7$ /OMA*1 ! LL BOY TURN$ &
FL$ 96! D>K4
  ,HE DIDN'T "K ": HE 0 GO+4 ,HE CDN'T
REMEMB] ! WAY BACK 6! CELL>1 &      #ABJ
EV5 IF HE CD1 HE DIDN'T D>E G "!4 ,9
FACT1 "EY?+ 9 8 _W 0 SOAK$ 9 GUILT &
MIS]Y4 ,HE _H WANT$ 6BE A GD BOY1 B X
SEEM$ T :AT"E HE DID1 HE 0 A BAD "O4 ,HE
DIDN'T DES]VE A NICE DRY PLACE 6CURL UP
& SLEEP2 HE DIDN'T EV5 DES]VE 6:ISP]
..,BOB & ,JOAN--BR1D & MILK--NI<T%IRT--
PRIVY--.PATI5TS Z HE US$ 6D4 ,"SH[ ! ^WS
DIDN'T WANT 6-E 6HIS M\?4 ,HE J MOV$ 8
LIPS & TRI$ 6HE> ! LL PU6S & CLICKS &
HISSES !Y MADE & PRET5D$ HE CD MAKE \ !
^WS4
  ,S HE CREPT "? ! D>K /REETS UNTIL HE
CAME 6A GRAT+ 9 ! GUTT]1 L A PROP] RAT-
HOLE1 ONLY HUMAN-SIZ$4 ,IF HE W5T D[N
"!1 HE WDN'T H 6BO!R ANY"O & HE WDN'T D
ANY?+ WR;G4 ,HE CD /OP TRY+ 6BE A BOY &
G BACK 62+ A RAT4 8,ONCE A RAT1 ALW A
RAT10 ,BILLY _H TOLD HM1 & X M/ 2 TRUE1
2C HE C]TA9LY WASN'T ANY GD AT 2+ A BOY4
  ,S HE LIFT$ ! GRAT+ & SLIPP$ D[N 96!
D>K4


          ,,! ,,DAILY ,,SC\RGE      #ABA
           ,,CRIME ,,UP ,,AG

  ,? IS 2COM+ A CRIME-RI45 C.TRY--& X'S
(FICIAL4
  ,CRIME FIGURES H RIS5 =! FIF? YE> 9
SU3ES.N4
  ,TYPICAL (! SORT ( LAW.S;S ALL TOO
-MON TD IS ! BR1K-IN AT ! HOME (! ,E>L &
,C.TESS ( ,DIT*WAT] 0A GANG ( "Y BOYS1
ALL ( :OM 7 LUCKILY CAU<T R$-H&$4
  8,I BLAME ! T1*]S10 SD ! ,HOME ,SECRE-
T>Y4

    ,AN>*Y 9 ! CLASSROOMS
  ,B T1*]S >E F9D+ X H>D] & H>D] 6MA9TA9
ORD] & 4CIPL9E OV] ! BULLIES & ?UGS 9 !
CLASSROOM4
  8,"! IS NO RESPECT = LE>N+ ANYMORE10
SD A T1*]S' L1D]4 8,I BLAME ! P>5TS40

    ,FAMILY BR1KUPS
  ,! TRADI;NAL FAMILY IS "U ?R1T4 ,FAMI-
LY VALUES H CRUM#D AWAY4 ,*ANG+ "W+ PAT-
T]NS1 TAX,N1 & VIOL5T 5T]TA9;T >E PLAY+
HAVOC ) ALL ! OLD C]TA9TIES4        #ABB
  8,"!'S NO "O 6GIVE A MORAL DIREC;N
ANYMORE10 SD A P>5T4 8,I BLAME ! ,*UR*40

    ,A MORAL VACUUM
  ,B ! ,*UR* XF SP1KS ) AN UNC]TA9
VOICE4
  8,H[ C ANY"O 2 MORAL 9 A _W ( POV]TY
"U ! 3/ANT ?R1T ( W> & 5VIRON;TAL DEVAS-
T,N80 SD ! ,>*BI%OP4 8,I BLAME ! ,GOV]N-
;T40

           ,! .,SC\RGE SAYS3
                ,,RU2I%6

  ,ALL \R S-CALL$ EXP]TS >E WR;G1 Z USU-
AL4
  ,DRIPP+ & MOAN+ AB ! /ATE (! _W &
BLAM+ "EY"O ELSE--IS X ANY WOND] T \R
C.TRY IS 9 A MESS1 ) P L T 9 *>GE ( X8
  ,Z =! RISE 9 JUV5ILE CRIME1 X'S EASY4
  ,! KIDS >E DO+ X1 >5'T !Y8
  ,!N "!'S NO NE$ 6LOOK ANY FUR!R4

         ,,BLAME ,,! ,,KIDS666
         ,A ,PAIR ( ,OLD ,TRAMS     #ABC

  ,! FAIR _H MOV$ ON4 ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW _H
4MANTL$ ! ,RAT-,BOY'S ,PIT ( ,HORROR1 &
,MRS4 ,TAPSCREW1 )! AID ( "S HORSEHAIR &
GLUE1 _H 2COME A BE>D$ WOMAN 6KEEP UP !
CA% FL[4 ,%E'D D X =A WEEK & T 0 X1 %E
SD1 X 0 TOO IT*Y = ANY M ?AN T2 S ,MR4
,TAPSCREW 0 TRY+ 6P]SUADE ! ,DODGEMS'
SULKY DAU<T] 62COME ,S]P5T9A ! ,SNAKE-
,GIRL4 ,! ,RAT-,BOY 0 OV] & D"O )4
  ,M1N:ILE1 ,BOB & ,JOAN _H _H 6G BACK
HOME 2C "! 0 "W 6BE D"O & !Y'D RUN \ (
M"OY4 ,!Y _H 6SP5D A FEW "DS E>N+ "S M1
& !N !Y W5T BACK 6! T[N ": ! FAIR _H BE5
& LOOK$ >.D4
  ,!Y SP5T ALL "D AT X4 ,!Y ASK$ 9 E
%OP1 !Y LOOK$ 9 E ALLEY1 !Y EV5 DID :AT
!Y'D BE5 UNEASY AB 2F & W5T 6! POLICE4
  ,B ! POLICE 7 NO HELP4 ,! S]G1NT ON
DUTY TOOK D[N ! DETAILS & PROMIS$ 6H A
PO/] MADE UP1 B )\T A PICTURE1 HE PO9T$
\1 !Y CDN'T EXPECT M*4
  ,BOB & ,JOAN W5T 6SIT 9 ! ,MEMORIAL
,G>D5S 6H _! S&WI*ES4
  8,I FEEL Z IF WE'LL N"E F9D !     #ABD
POOR LL SCRAP10 %E SD4
  8,NO10 SD ,BOB1 8WE'LL F9D HM4 ,DON'T
FRET1 OLD GIRL4 ,Y "K :AT80
  8,:AT80
  8,I RECKON WE GOT A PURPOSE 9 \R LIVES
N[1 T'S :AT4 ,WE BE5 J TRUNDL+ AL;G ALL
^! YE>S L A PAIR ( OLD TRAMS4 ,I DIDN'T
?9K AB NO?+ EXCEPT SOLES & HEELS &!
PRICE ( L1!R4 ,B :5 T LL BOY -E & KNOCK$
ON \R DOOR1 ,I GOT A JOLT1 ,I DID4 ,& N[
HE'S VANI%$1 ,I DON'T WANT 6G TRUNDL+ ON
9 A /RAI<T L9E ALL ! WAY 6ME GRAVE4 ,I
GOT "S?+ BETT] 6D4 ,>E Y ) ME1 OLD
GIRL80
  8,Y'RE A SILLY OLD MAN10 %E SD4 8,Y &
YR TRAMS4 ,:O >E Y CALL+ A TRAM8 ,H[ L;G
H WE BE5 M>RI$ N[8 ,I BET Y C'T REMEM-
B]40
  8,?IRTY-TWO YE>S10 HE SD4
  8,WELL1 ALL "R1 Y .C REMEMB]4 ,& Y H !
N]VE 6ASK IF ,I'M ) Y4 ,IF ,I WASN'T ) Y
ALL ! WAY 6! DEPOT1 ,BOB ,J"OS1 ,I'D H
G"O (F A L;G "T AGO4 ,:5 Y 7 TALK+ 6T
,TAPSCREW & Y SD--X 0 :5 Y SD--OH DE>--0
  ,%E CRI$ A BIT !N1 & ,BOB J       #ABE
HELD H] H& & LET H] DAB H] EYES4
  8,X 0 :5 Y SD .\R .LL .BOY10 %E W5T ON
AF A BIT1 8T'S :AT D"O X4 ,I'D G ANY":
N[ & D ANY?+ 6FET* HM HOME1 ,I RE,Y WD4
,B OH1 ,BOB ''' ,D Y RE,Y ?9K HE 0 A
RAT8 ,T A9'T POSSI#1 IS X1 =A RAT 62COME
A R1L BOY80
  8,NO10 HE SD4 8,L1/1 ,I N"E HE>D ( X1
OR R1D X 9 ! NEWSPAP]40
  8,Y & YR BLOOM+ PAP]4 ,!N :AT D Y ?9K
.IS ! TRU? AB X8 ,HE WASN'T LY+1 0 HE80
  8,NO4 ,HE'S A TRU?;L LL S\L4 ,I DON'T
?9K HE CD "E TELL A LIE4 ,EV5 :5 HE D"O
BAD ?+S1 HE [N$ UP /RAI<TAWAY4 ,& !Y
W]5'T RE,Y BAD ?+S ANYWAY1 ONLY ! K9D (
?+S A POOR 9NOC5T B1/ WD D '''0
  8,L A RAT10 %E SD4
  8,T'S "R4 ,I DON'T L RATS ANY M ?AN !
NEXT BLOKE1 B !Y A9'T WICK$ & CRUEL L P
C BE4 ,!Y'RE J RATTY 9 _! HABITS40
  8,T'S ,ROG] TOO4 ,J A BIT RATTY 9 8
HABITS10 %E REP1T$1 & DA2$ H] NOSE4
8,"!1 ,I'M A BIT BETT] N[4 ,OH1 X IS A
WORRY '''0
                                    #ABF
























          ,HUN*$ & ,MALEVOL5T1      #ABG
          ,RADIAT+ ,PURE ,EVIL

  ,! PAP] ,BOB R1D 0 GD = SPORT1 ,BOB
SD1 B HE USU,Y R1D ! /ORIES AB LOTT]Y
W9N]S & SC&ALS & MURD]S Z WELL1 & S DID
HUNDR$S ( ?\S&S ( O!R P4
  ,! $ITOR (! .,DAILY .,SC\RGE 5C\RAG$ 8
REPORT]S 6LI/5 UP = E K9D ( WEIRD OR S5-
TI;TAL OR HORRI# OR S5S,NAL /ORY !Y CD
F9D1 & !N HE PR9T$ !M1 :E!R OR N !Y 7
TRUE4 ,! BE/ K9D ( /ORY 0 "O T W5T ON &
ON1 )A NEW TWI/ E "D1 & CD 2 EASILY "U-
/OOD EV5 0NUMSKULLS 9 A HURRY4
  ,! .,DAILY .,SC\RGE _HN'T F.D M* 9 !
WAY ( T K9D ( /ORY REC5TLY4 ,!Y _H TRI$
6:IP UP "S 9T]E/ 9 ! ,ROYAL ,W$D+1 B Z
SOON Z T 0 OV]1 P /OPP$ BUY+ S _M PAP]S4
,! $ITOR 0 GETT+ IMPATI5T4
  ,S :5 AN AMBITI\S "Y .,DAILY .,SC\RGE
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HE PRICK$ UP 8 E>S & />T$ ASK+ "QS4
,PRETTY SOON1 M RUMORS 2GAN 6CIRCULATE4
,"! 7 SD 6BE <O/S 9 ! DRA9S3 P _H HE>D
!M :ISP]+4 ,"S"O _H SE5 A CREEPY FACE
LOOK+ UP AT H] F A RA9WAT] GRAT+4   #ABH
,&! M5 :O CL1N$ ! SEW]S SWORE !Y'D SE5
"S?+ D[N "! 9 ! D>K4
  ,! REPORT] >RANG$ 6MEET ?REE (! SEW]
"W]S 9 A PUB & B"\ !M LOTS ( DR9KS4
  8,S :AT IS ALL ?1 !N80 HE SD4 8,Y SAW
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  8,"S?+ UNCANNY10 SD "O4 8,A <O/1 ,I
RECKON40
  8,OR AN EVIL _S10 SU7E/$ ANO!R4
  8,A HOBGOBL91 EV510 SD ! ?IRD MAN4
  8,:AT'S X LOOK L80
  8,OOH1 EVIL10 SD ! F/ MAN4 8,I CDN'T
DESCRIBE X4 ,I BE5 "W+ D[N ! SEW]S ALL
ME LIFE1 & ,I N"E BE5 F"R5$ UNTIL N[40
  8,I TELL Y10 SD ! SECOND MAN1 8X'S N A
FIT SI<T = HUMAN EYES1 :AT WE SAW D[N
"!40
  8,A LL FIGURE10 SD ! ?IRD MAN1 8SORT (
L A HORRI# LL MAN--A SCAMP]+1 RUNN+ K9D
( ?+4 ,N L A HUMAN 2+4 ,K9D ( HUN*$ &
MALEVOL5T40
  .,HUN*$ .& .MALEVOL5T1 ! REPORT] WROTE
9 8 NOTEBOOK4 8,GD10 HE SD4 8,:AT ELSE80
  8,Y "K ": ,I SE5 "S?+ L T 2F80 SD !
SECOND MAN4 8,IN ! C>V+ ON ! CA-    #ABI
!DRAL DOORWAY %[+ ! S9N]S 2+ HAUL$ (F
D[N ! PIT4 ,"!'S A DEVIL "! ) J ! EXACT
SAME EXPRES.N4 ,GIVES Y ! %IV]S4 ,J RA-
DIAT+ PURE EVIL40
  .,PURE .EVIL1 WROTE ! REPORT]4 8,BRIL-
LIANT10 HE SD4
  8,& ,I TELL Y "S?+ ELSE10 SD ! F/ MAN4
8,! RATS IS BACK40
  8,RATS80
  8,?\S&S & ?\S&S ( 'EM4 ,!Y CLE>$ 'EM \
N S L;G AGO1 B !Y -E BACK )A V5GE.E4 ,Y
C HE> 'EM TWITT]+ 9 ! D>K4 ,!Y'RE FOLL]+
? <O/ AB40
  8,FANTA/IC60 SD ! REPORT]4 8,LOOK1
LADS1 ,I DON'T SUPPOSE ,I CD GET D[N "!
& H A LOOK >.D80
  ,!Y LOOK$ D\BT;L4 ,HE TOOK \ 8 WALLET4
,!Y NO4$4






                                    #ACJ
























          ,,! ,,DAILY ,,SC\RGE      #ACA
       ,,MON/] ,,F.D ,,9 ,,SEW]S
      0\R /> REPORT] ,KEV9 ,BILGE

  ,A MON/]1 SEMIHUMAN 9 %APE1 HAS BE5
F.D LIV+ 9 ! C;Y'S SEW]S4
  ,X 0 CAPTUR$ YE/]"D AF A DESP]ATE
/RU7LE 9 : ?REE SEW] "W]S 7 BADLY W.D$4

    ,HUNDR$S M
  ,EXP]TS 2LIEVE T ! MON/] IS ! F/ (A
NEW BRE$4
  8,"! CD 2 HUNDR$S M BRE$+ D[N 2L U10
SD A SCI5TI/4 8,! ONLY SOLU;N IS 6DE/ROY
!M 2F !Y GET TOO /R;G = U40

    ,EXT]M9,N
  ,! MON/] IS 2+ KEPT 9 ! CU/ODY (!
,QU>ANT9E ,DE"P;T S T SCI5TI/S C EXAM9E
X 2F X IS EXT]M9AT$4
  ,! ,MAYOR &! ,C;Y ,C\NCIL 7 URG$ LA/
NI<T 6WA/E NO M "T4

    ,,\TRAGE ,,AT ,,M]CY ,,PLEA
  ,"! 0 \TRAGE :5 "S POLITICIANS URG$
CAU;N4                              #ACB
  8,WE %D N RU% 6JUDG;T10 SD AN ,OPPOSI-
;N SPOKESMAN4 8,! MON/] IS A VICTIM
TOO40





















         ,! ,FREEDOM (! ,PRESS      #ACC

  ,ALL OV] ! C.TRY1 P R1D ! .,DAILY
.,SC\RGE & %U4]$4
  ,9 FACT1 "! 0 S* A /IR AB ! ,MON/] (!
,SEW]S T O!R /ORIES VANI%$ ALT4 ,NO "O 0
9T]E/$ 9 ! ,*.ELLOR'S 9COME TAX PROPOS-
ALS1 OR 9 ! ,PR9CE'S RETURN F 8 H"OYMOON
)! NEW ,PR9CESS1 OR EV5 9 ! SPORTS RE-
SULTS3 "EY"O WANT$ 6HE> AB ! MON/]4
  ,! .,DAILY .,SC\RGE PR9T$ A SPECIAL
WEEK5D SUPPLE;T & SOLD AN EXTRA #BEJ1JJJ
COPIES Z A RESULT4












                                    #ACD
























          ,,! ,,DAILY ,,SC\RGE      #ACE
          ,,SPECIAL ,,SUPPLE;T
      ,,! ,,MON/] ,,( ,,! ,,SEW]S

  ,SCI5TI/S >E BA6L$ 0? CR1TURE4 ,IS X !
RELIC (A LO/ TRIBE ( SUBHUMAN CR1TURES8
  ,IS X A VISITOR F ANO!R _W8
  ,OR IS X A HIDE\S MUT,N CAUS$ 05VIRON-
;TAL POLLU;N8
  ,:AT .IS C]TA9 IS T NO?+ L X HAS "E
BE5 4COV]$ 2F4
  ,XS EVIL & BLOOD?IR/Y PA/ C ONLY 2
GUESS$ AT4
  ,WE M/ 2 ?ANK;L T ! VIGIL.E (! .,DAILY
.,SC\RGE HAS REV1L$ ? HORRI# ?R1T 6!
PUBLIC4

    ,,YR ,,VOTE
  ,FILL 9 ? C\PON & S5D X 6U4 ,%D ! EVIL
MON/] 2 DE/ROY$8

,,YES
,NO


                                    #ACF
























            ,DON'T ,2 ,DCVD         #ACG

  ,AT ! ,QU>ANT9E ,DE"P;T1 ! ,GOV]N;T
,*IEF ,SCI5TI/ LOOK$ 9 AT ! CR1TURE "? !
B>S (! CAGE4 ,X 0 9 A H1P ( /RAW1 LOOK+
BACK AT HM ) AN EXPRES.N T ( C\RSE HE
CDN'T "U/&4
  8,C]TA9LY AN?ROPOID10 HE SD1 & 8 AS-
SI/ANT MADE A NOTE4 8,I'VE HE>D TALK (
"S 3NEC;N ) RATS1 B "!'S NO?+ ROD5T 9 XS
PHYSIOLOGY1 6MY M9D40
  8,X'S D"O A FAIR BIT ( GNAW+10 SD 8
ASSI/ANT4
  8,S D *IMPANZEES4 ,TWIGS & ?+S4 ,? IS
A =M ( APE1 NO D\BT AB X40
  8,B :AT 0 X DO+ 9 ! SEW]S80
  8,T'S :AT WE % H 6F9D \40
  ,! ,*IEF ,SCI5TI/ 0 "! 2C ! ,PRIME
,M9I/] _H S5T HM 69VE/IGATE4 ,! ,PRIME
,M9I/] 0 TAK+ A CLOSE 9T]E/ 9 ! CASE (!
MON/] 2C HE WASN'T V POPUL> J !N1 NOR 7
ANY (! M9I/]S 9 ! ,GOV]N;T4 ,X 0 A GRT
HELP 6H "S?+ ELSE ON ! FRONT PAGES (!
PAP]S1 & EV5 BETT] 6H "S?+ NEW =! PUBLIC
6HATE4 ,S ! ,*IEF ,SCI5TI/ 0 "U 9/RUC;N
6F9D ! MON/] Z LOA?"S Z POSSI# &    #ACH
6SP9 \ ! EXAM9,N = Z L;G Z HE CD4
  ,) TWO EXP]I;ED ZOOKEEP]S AT H&1 >M$ )
NETS & PRODS 9 CASE ! MON/] 2CAME DANG]-
\S1 ! ,*IEF ,SCI5TI/ OP5$ ! CAGE & W5T
9SIDE4 ,8 ASSI/ANT /AY$ CLOSE AT H& TO
MAKE NOTES4
  ,! MON/] DIDN'T LOOK V MON/R\S1 B !
,*IEF ,SCI5TI/ DIDN'T G 0SURFACE APPE>-
.ES4 ,X 0 :AT LAY "UN1? T MATT]$4 ,? LL
%IV]+ NAK$ ?+ MI<T H _H ! =M ( AN APE1
OR EV5 76BE M A3URATE7 A HUMAN BOY1 B T
ONLY MADE X M HORRI# & UNNATURAL4 ,!
,*IEF ,SCI5TI/ WR9KL$ 8 NOSE & PRO4$ !
CR1TURE )A P5CIL4
  ,AT ONCE ! MON/] MADE A SEMIHUMAN
NOISE & SEIZ$ ! P5CIL 9 XS FIL?Y PAW4 ,!
,*IEF ,SCI5TI/ LET X G1 AL>M$1 &! MON/]
2GAN 6NIB# ! P5CIL ) E APPE>.E ( PL1S-
URE4
  8,REM>KA#10 SD ! ,*IEF ,SCI5TI/4 8,C]-
TA9LY AN AN?ROPOID MANN] ( GNAW+4 ,M/ 2
3DI;NS4 ,CDN'T 2 9BORN4 ,TEE? ! WR;G
%APE ALT40
  8,EXCUSE ME1 SIR10 SD "O (! ZOOKEEP]S
UNC]TA9LY4 8,DID ,I GET X WR;G1     #ACI
OR DID HE SAY .?ANK .Y80
  ,! ,*IEF ,SCI5TI/ LAU<$ 9DULG5TLY4
  8,NO1 NO10 HE SD1 8! S.D Y HE>D 0
PURELY A REFLEX VOCALIZ,N4 ,X 0 YR M9D T
PUT ANY M1N+ 96X4 ,I WANT Y 6HOLD !
CR1TURE / S ,I C TAKE A SAMPLE ( XS
BLOOD40
  8,WE BETT] USE ! NET1 SIR10 SD ! ZOO-
KEEP]4
  8,G ON1 !N4 ,I % NE$ A =ELIMB S ,I C
F9D A VE940
  ,! ZOOKEEP]S ?REW _! NET OV] ! MON/]1
: /RU7L$ VIOL5TLY1 UTT]+ LOTS ( VOCALI-
Z,NS4 ,B "EY"O 4REG>D$ !M N[1 "K+ T !Y
DIDN'T M1N ANY?+1 & PRES5TLY ! CR1TURE 0
TRUSS$ & P9ION$ ON ! /RAW1 ) XS =ELIMB
\T/RET*$4
  8,HOLD X TI<T10 SD ! ,*IEF ,SCI5TI/1 &
HE /UCK A NE$LE 96! SK9NY LL >M & DREW
(F "S BLOOD4
  ,! CR1TURE H[L$ & KICK$ & CRI$1 B !Y
F.D X 0 EASI] IF !Y TOOK NO NOTICE4 ,!
,*IEF ,SCI5TI/ CORK$ ! LL BOTTLE4
  8,T'LL D = TD10 HE SD4 8,N[1 Z = FOOD3
,I'VE DRAWN UP A LI/ "H1 & ,I       #ADJ
WANT X F$ TWICE A "D AC 6! PLAN4 ,!N
WE'LL TRY DI6]5T K9DS ( /IMULI 6SEE :AT
X RESPONDS TO4 ,F/LY1 WE'LL TRY NOISE4
,!N WE'LL L[] ! TEMP]ATURE '''0
  ,8 ASSI/ANT WROTE ALL ! PLANS D[N DU-
TI;LLY4
  8,HE DOES SEEM ''' ,I DON'T "K ''' V
HUMAN10 %E SD T5TATIVELY :5 ! ,*IEF
,SCI5TI/ _H F9I%$4
  8,APPE>.ES >E ONLY SUP]FICIAL4 ,I EX-
PECT 6F9D ! CR1TURE Q DI6]5T1 "UN1?1 F
:AT X SEEMS ON ! SURFACE40
  8,YES10 %E SD4











          ,\R ,*N ,>E 9 ,DANG]      #ADA

  ,! RESULTS (! .,DAILY .,SC\RGE'S R1D-
]S' POLL CAME IN3 #IF P]C5T SD ! MON/]
%D 2 DE/ROY$1 #B P]C5T SD X %DN'T1 & #B
P]C5T DIDN'T "K1 : 0 CL"E ( !M1 2C "!
WASN'T A BOX 6TICK = DON'T "K4 ,! PUB-
LIC;Y CAMPAIGN 0 BUILD+ UP4 ,O!R PAP]S
JO9$ IN4
  8,E M9UTE ? VILE & SAVAGE MON/] REMA9S
ALIVE10 SD "O PAP]1 8\R *N >E 9 DANG]40
  8,:5 IS ! ,GOV]N;T GO+ 6ACT80 SD AN-
O!R4
  8,MAKE ! /REETS SAFE = \R *N60 SD A
?IRD4
  ,2F L;G1 ! MON/] 0 ! MA9 TOPIC ( 3V]-
S,N & GUESS"W4 ,"EY"O _H AN OP9ION1 &!
LESS !Y KNEW1 ! M /R;GLY !Y EXPRESS$
!MVS4 ,SOON POLITICIANS 2GAN 6SP1K UP Z
WELL4 ,AN ,M4,P4 SD 9 ,P>LIA;T3
  8,X IS "T 6D AWAY ) OLD-FA%ION$ SCRU-
PLES6 ,"! >E *OICES T >E H>D1 OP;NS T >E
PA9;L1 C\RSES ( AC;N T REQUIRE RESOLU;N
& C\RAGE1 B WE M/ N %R9K F ! TASK1 WE M/
N FALT]1 WE M/ 2 BOLD & DET]M9$6 ,I SAY
6Y1 WE M/ C>RY \ ? DUTY1 & D S )A   #ADB
FIRM & FE>.S H&60
  ,:AT T M1NT WAS3 ,WE M/ D EXACTLY :AT
! .,DAILY .,SC\RGE TELLS U 6D & HOPE
X'LL 2 NICE 6U4 ,& :AT .T M1NT WAS3 ,WE
M/ GET "S"O 6KILL ! MON/]4 ,B ( C\RSE HE
WDN'T H SD X OP5LY1 2C X S.D$ R BRUTAL1
PUT L T4
  ,EV5 ! ,GOV]N;T SP5T MO/ ( XS CAB9ET
MEET+S TALK+ AB ! MON/]4
  8,! PUBLIC IS AL>M$60 SD ! ,HOME ,SEC-
RET>Y4 8,WE M/ D "S?+ 6CALM XS FE>S60
  8,/UFF & NONS5SE10 SD ! ,*.ELLOR (!
,EX*EQU]4 8,I DON'T 2LIEVE ? MON/] EV5
EXI/S40
  8,WELL1 X DOES1 & ,I'VE SE5 X10 SD !
,M9I/] ( ,AGRICULTURE4
  ,!Y 7 AMAZ$4 8,H[ DID Y MANAGE T80 SD
! ,=EIGN ,SECRET>Y 5VI\SLY4
  8,! ,QU>ANT9E ,DE"P;T IS MY RESPONSI-
BIL;Y4 ,& ,I H 6TELL Y T :5 Y SEE ! MON-
/] 9 ! FLE%1 X LOOKS UNCANNILY L A SMALL
BOY40
  8,APPE>.ES >E DECEPTIVE60 SD ! ,M9I/]
( ,$UC,N4
  8,Y C'T JUDGE 0APPE>.ES60 SD !    #ADC
,"L ,*.ELLOR4
  8,X'S :AT'S "UN1? T MATT]S1 N :AT X
LOOKS L ON ! SURFACE60 SD ! ,HOME ,SEC-
RET>Y4 8,& ,I SAY ! PUBLIC DEM&S A FIRM
H&4 ,? ?+ %D 2 EXT]M9AT$60
  8,WELL1 NORM,Y "O WD AGREE10 SD ! ,M9-
I/] ( ,AGRICULTURE4 8,B 3SID] ! PRO#M F
! PO9T ( VIEW ( PRES5T,N4 ,:AT WD X LOOK
L 6TAKE :AT APPE>S 6BE A SMALL * &1 Z Y
SAY1 EXT]M9ATE HM80
  ,"! 0 A SIL;E AT T4 ,!Y ALL SAW !
PRO#M4
  8,P]H WE CD DRESS HM UP 6LOOK M L A
MON/]10 SU7E/$ ! ,M9I/] ( ,$UC,N4 8,X
WDN'T LOOK S BAD !N40
  ,!Y TALK$ = H\RS4 ,X 0 CLE> T !Y _H 6D
"S?+ OR ! NEWSPAP]S WD TURN ALL _! FURY
AG/ !M4 ,B :AT"E !Y DID M/N'T SEEM UN-
JU/1 2C Y CD N"E TELL :AT ! VOT]S WD PUT
UP )1 & "! 0 AN ELEC;N -+ UP 9 A YE> OR
S4
  ,ONLY ! ,PRIME ,M9I/] KEPT QUIET4 ,&
:5 !Y ASK$ HM :AT HE ?"\1 HE _H AN ANSW]
R1DY3
  8,I ?9K WE "\ 6SET UP A           #ADD
TRIBUNAL "U A ,HI< ,C\RT JUDGE1 & CALL
EXP]T WIT;SES & S ON1 & LET T DECIDE10
HE SD FIRMLY4
  8,EXCELL5T IDEA60
  8,A BRILLIANT SOLU;N60
  8,MAGNIFIC5T /ROKE ( IMAG9,N60
  ,!Y ALL AGRE$4 ,S !Y APPO9T$ A JUDGE1
SET A DATE1 & ANN\NC$ T ! FATE (! MON/]
0 GO+ 6BE DECID$ 0LAW4















                 ,TRIPE             #ADE

  ,ON ! "D 2F ! TRIBUNAL 0 GO+ 62G91
,BOB & ,JOAN 7 SITT+ AT HOME1 EXHAU/$4
,!Y'D J -E BACK F H\RS & H\RS ( KNOCK+
ON DOORS AT ! O!R 5D ( T[N1 J ASK+ IF
ANY"O _H SE5 ,ROG]1 2C !Y CDN'T ?9K :AT
ELSE 6D2 & :5 !Y GOT BACK1 "! 0 A LOAD (
WA%+ 6D & SEV5 PAIRS ( %OES 6BE RESOL$ &
HEEL$2 & N[ X 0 NE>LY MIDNI<T1 & !Y 7
DR9K+ A CUP ( COCOA 2F GO+ 6B$4
  ,BOB LI/.SLY PICK$ UP ! PAP]4 ,HE
_HN'T R1D X = "DS1 & AL? HE'D SE5 ! H1D-
L9ES AB MON/]S1 HE CDN'T 2 BO!R$ 6R1D
!M3 ALL HE 0 9T]E/$ 9 0 ,ROG]4 ,B 9 ORD]
6TAKE 8 M9D (F _! TR\#1 HE'D B"\ A COPY
ON ! WAY HOME1 & HE 2GAN 6R1D ! MA9 /ORY
WE>ILY4 ,!N HE SAT UP4
  8,"H10 HE SD4 8LI/5 6?40
  ,HE RU/L$ ! PAP] & 2GAN 6R1D3





          ,,! ,,DAILY ,,SC\RGE      #ADF
    ,,FURY ,,OV] ,,MON/] 8,,EXP]TS0

  ,"! 0 WIDESPR1D FURY TD T "S S-CALL$
SCI5TI/S W TE/IFY ON 2HALF (! RAT-MON/]
AT ! TRIBUNAL TM4
  ,! 8DEF5SE0 9T5DS 6MAKE ! ABSURD CLAIM
T ! SUBHUMAN CR1TURE F ! D>K;S IS ACTU,Y
A HUMAN 2+ & %D 2 SP>$ EXT]M9,N4

    ,HELP.S VICTIMS
  ,MEMB]S (! PUBLIC 7 QK 63DEMN ? MOVE4
  8,H[ C WE SLEEP SAFELY :5 ? HIDE\S
EVIL B1/ IS / ALIVE80 SD ,MRS4 ,KITTY
,NETTLES1 #CH4
  ,MRS4 ,NETTLES IS A "M ( SIX4
  ..,SIX ADORA#1 HELP.S *N4 ,*N :O MI<T
2 VICTIMS (! RAVAG+ .FI5D4

    ,EVIL 2Y 2LIEF
  ,P>5TS' GR\PS 7 =M+ PROTE/ -MITTEES
LA/ NI<T4
  8,? MON/] IS EVIL 2Y 2LIEF10 SD ,MR4
,D]EK ,PRATT1 #DF4 8,"S?+ M/ 2 D"O 6PRO-
TECT \R KI4IES F ! MON/] DEMON F HELL4
,! ,GOV]N;T IS KEEP+ HM SAFE ON     #ADG
PURPOSE4 ,X IS A 3SPIRACY 6PROTECT !
CRIM9AL ELE;TS & PUT ORD9>Y1 9NOC5T P
96DANG]4
  8,IF ! ,GOV]N;T DOES N ACT 6DE/ROY ?
F\L B1/1 !N WE % KEEP \R *N HOME F S*OOL
9DEF9ITELY40

    ,RIOT OV] HUN*$ FIGURE
  ,A #EJJ-/R;G CR[D ATTACK$ A POLICE /,N
) BRICKS & /"OS AF RUMORS SPR1D T ! MON-
/] 0 9SIDE4
  8,I SAW ? HORRI# HUN*$ FIGURE 2+ TAK5
9 ! BACK10 SD ,MRS4 ,GL5DA ,BRA91 #EG4
8,X 0 5TIRELY COV]$ 9 A BLANKET1 B ,I
KNEW X 0 ! MON/]4 ,I J _H A FEEL+40

    ,,! .,,SC\RGE ,,SAYS3
  ,IF ! ,GOV]N;T DOES N ACT SOON1 "! W 2
BLOOD%$4 ,& X W 2 _! FAULT4 ..,KILL ,!
,MON/] ,N[4 ,2F ,X'S ,TOO .,LATE6




                                    #ADH
  8,:AT Y R1D+ T TRIPE =80 SD ,JOAN4 8,T
A9'T WOR? US+ 6WIPE YR FEET ON1 T RUB-
BI%40
  8,NO1 LI/510 SD ,BOB4 8,WE BE5 S BUSY
WE MISS$ ALL ?4 ,X SEEMS !Y F.D ? RAT-
CR1TURE 9 ! SEW]S1 & !Y'RE GO+ 6PUT X ON
TRIAL & DECIDE :E!R OR N 6KILL X40
  ,JOAN R1LIZ$ :AT HE M1NT4
  8,Y DON'T ?9K--0 %E 2GAN4
  8,NO1 X CDN'T BE10 HE SD RELUCTANTLY4
8,B J SUPPOSE--0
  8,:AT'S X LOOK L80
  8,LET'S SEE10 SD ,BOB1 TURN+ ! PAGE4
8,EVIL--HIDE\S--DANG]\S--VILE--BLOOD-
?IR/Y--!Y DON'T SAY :AT X LOOKS L '''0
  8,HE CDN'T .*ANGE1 CD HE8 ,! LL "O8
,HE CDN'T G BACK 62+ A PROP] RAT80
  ,BOB 0 SIL5T4 8,WE DON'T "K Z HE "E
WAS10 HE SD F9,Y4 8,HE MI<T H ONLY ?"\
X40
  8,BOB1 SUPPOSE X .IS ,ROG]80 %E SD4
8,& !Y'RE GO+ 6KILL HM60
  8,WELL1 WE'LL H 6G & /OP 'EM10 HE SD4

               ,NO ,ROOM            #ADI

  ,! C\RT BUILD+ 0 CR[D$1 & ,BOB & ,JOAN
_H 6/RU7LE "? PACK$ CORRIDORS 2F !Y F.D
! C\RTROOM2 & !N !Y CDN'T GET IN4
  8,Q IMPOSSI#10 SD ! U%] \TSIDE ! DOOR4
8,WE BE5 FULL UP S9CE SEV5 O'C ? MORN+40
  8,PL1SE60 SD ,JOAN4 8,WE GOT 6F9D \
:AT ? MON/] IS60
  8,S'S T5 ?\S& O!R P4 ,:Y %D ,I LET Y
IN80
  8,ALL "R10 SD ,BOB1 8"H1 TAKE ?4 ,"H'S
A P.D = Y40
  8,GET AWAY60 ! U%] LAU<$4 8,A .P.D8
,Y'RE JOK+6 .,FIFTY P.DS1 & ,I MI<T LOOK
! O!R WAY :ILE Y SLIP 9 AT ! BACK4 ,"!'S
"S Z GAVE ME A HUNDR$ =A S1T NE> !
FRONT4 ,A .P.D8 ,I'M 9SULT$4 ,CLE> (F40
  ,BOB WD H _H 6G HOME ON FOOT IF ! U%]
_H TAK5 ! BRIBE1 2C X 0 ALL HE _H =! BUS
F>E4 ,N[ HE FELT HUMILIAT$4
  ,JOAN SD1 8,"!'S NO NE$ 6BE RUDE1 "Y
MAN4 ,:AT >E ALL ^! P DO+ "H IF !Y C'T
GET IN80
  8,WIT;SES10 SD ! U%]1 & TURN$ AWAY TO
KEEP "S"O ELSE \4                   #AEJ
  ,JOAN TU7$ AT ,BOB'S >M & :ISP]$1 8,^?
SCI5TI/S M/ 2 "H1 !N--F ! PAP]--! "OS :O
>E GO+ 6DEF5D HM '''0
  ,BOB UNFOLD$ ! PAGE HE'D TORN F ! PA-
P]4
  8,DOESN'T SAY _! "NS1 ?\<10 HE SD4
  8,P]H WE CD F9D !M10 %E SD HOPE;LLY4
  ,! P 9 ! CORRIDOR 7 >GU+ L\DLY & %[+
"O ANO!R PAP]S & DIAGRAMS & MODELS (
B"OS & SKULLS4 ,! DOOR OP5$1 &! U%]
CALL$ L\DLY3 8,MR4 ,KEV9 ,BILGE6 ,CALL+
,MR4 ,KEV9 ,BILGE60
  ,"O (! WIT;SES GOT UP & FOLL[$ HM \4
8,!Y M/ H />T$ ! TRIAL10 SD ,BOB4 ,HE &
,JOAN SAT D[N UNOBTRUSIVELY NE> "O (!
L\DE/->GU+ GR\PS & LI/5$ 6:AT !Y 7 SAY+4
  8--& X 0 SURR.D$ 0RATS6 ,?\S&S ( !M60
  8--C>RY PLAGUE--0
  8--ASSI/ANT SWORE %E'D HE>D HM SAY
?ANK Y6 ,I ASK Y60
  ,BOB & ,JOAN LOOK$ AT EA* O!R4
  8--REFLEX VOCALIZ,NS--0
  8--/UDIES ON ! VOCAL TRACT ( P>ROTS--0
  8--"PICUL> FOND;S = P5CILS--0
  ,BOB & ,JOAN HELD EA* O!R'S H&    #AEA
TI<TLY4
  8--( C\RSE1 ! \TCOME'S ALL >RANG$ ALR1
!Y'RE GO+ 6PUT X D[N--0
  8.,DAILY .,SC\RGE--0
  8--,I "U/& X SLEEPS CURL$ UP V
SMALL--0
  ,BOB CDN'T SIT /4 ,JOAN GOT UP ) HM1 &
!Y WALK$ 6! 5D (! CORRIDOR & BACK1 UNA#
6SP1K4
  ,!N ! DOOR OP5$4 ,! U%] LOOK$ \ &
CALL$1 8,MR4 ,GORDON ,H>K;S6 ,CALL+ ,MR4
,GORDON ,H>K;S 6! WIT;S /&60
  ,NO "O RESPOND$4
  8,MR4 ,GORDON ,H>K;S1 PL1SE60
  ,SU45LY AN IDEA CAME 6,BOB4 ,HE
SQUEEZ$ ,JOAN'S H&4 8,OH1 SORRY10 HE
CALL$ \4 8,MR4 ,H>K;S1 YES1 T'S ME60
  8,:AT >E Y .DO+80 ,JOAN :ISP]$4
  8,X'S ! ONLY WAY 6GET IN60 HE :ISP]$
BACK4
  8,? WAY1 PL1SE10 SD ! U%]4
  ,BOB TU7$ AT ,JOAN'S RELUCTANT H&4 ,%E
0 SURE HE'D 2 >RE/$ = IMP]SON,N & !Y'D 2
9 EV5 M TR\#1 B HE 0 J Z SOLID & FE>.S Z
HE "E WAS1 & HE SD 6! U%]3          #AEB
  8,? IS MY WIFE1 ,MRS4 ,H>K;S4 ,%E'S A
WIT;S TOO4 ,I C'T GIVE TE/IMONY )\T H]4
,%E'S GOT 6-E 9 ) ME40
  8,%E'S N ON MY LI/10 SD ! U%]4
  8,T'S 2C %E W]5'T AVAILA#4 ,%E 0 AWAY
SEE+ H] NIECE4 ,B %E IS N[1 S %E "\ 6BE
) ME40
  8,OH1 V WELL4 ,I DON'T SUPPOSE X MAT-
T]S40
  ,&! U%] %[$ !M 96! C\RTROOM4














              ,! ,TRIBUNAL          #AEC

  ,"! 0 A RU/LE ( SURPRISE ALL R.D !
CR[D$ C\RT Z ,BOB & ,JOAN WALK$ UP 6!
WIT;S /& TGR4 ,JOAN LOOK$ >.D N]V\SLY3
"! 0 A JUDGE )A WIG &A R$ G[N1 & R[S (
LAWY]S ) WIGS & BLACK G[NS1 & :AT LOOK$
L HUNDR$S ( P CRAMM$ ONTO B5*ES & /&+ AT
! BACK4 ,6KEEP H]F F TREMBL+1 ,JOAN TRI$
6C.T ! S1T$ "OS & MULTIPLY ! TOTAL 0A
HUNDR$1 & 6C.T ! /&+ "OS & MULTIPLY BY
FIFTY1 & 6ADD !M TGR1 6SEE H[ M* M"OY !
U%] _H MADE4
  ,Z SOON Z ,BOB & ,JOAN 7 ON ! /&1 A
LAWY] /OOD UP CLUT*+ 8 LAPELS & SD1 8,Y
>E ,MR4 ,GORDON ,H>K;S1 LECTUR] 9 -P>A-
TIVE ANATOMY80
  8,NO1 ,I A9'T10 SD ,BOB4 8,I'M ,BOB
,J"OS1 COB#R4 ,& ? IS MY WIFE1 ,JOAN1
WA%]WOMAN40
  8,!N :AT >E Y DO+ "H80
  8,I _H 6PRET5D10 ,BOB W5T ON1 82C Y
WDN'T H LET U 9 O!RWISE4 ,WE GOT 9=M,N
AB ? S-CALL$ MON/] T Y "\ 6HE>40
  ,! CR[D 0 BUZZ+ ) EXCITE;T & CURIOS;Y4
,LAWY]S PASS$ NOTES 6"O ANO!R1 !    #AED
REPORT]S SCRIB#D BUSILY1 & ALL ! SPECTA-
TORS 7 TALK+ & PO9T+ & /&+ UP 6LOOK4
  8,SIL;E60 SD ! JUDGE4 8,I W H ORD] 9 ?
C\RTROOM4 ,IF WE DON'T H SIL;E1 ,I %
CLE> ! C\RT40
  ,"EYBODY SU45LY /OPP$ TALK+4
  8,N[1 ,MR4 ,J"OS10 SD ! JUDGE1 8IF T
IS YR "N1 Y _H BETT] EXPLA9 YRF4 ,? IS A
S]I\S MATT]40
  8,ALL "R1 YR "L%IP10 SD ,BOB4 8,Y SEE1
WE RECKON T ? MON/] A9'T A MON/] AT ALL4
,X'S A LL BOY CALL$ ,ROG]4 ,& ALL Y NE$
6D IS J FET* HM "H & LET "EY"O LOOK AT
HM1 & IF X IS HM1 !N WE'LL TAKE HM HOME
& T'LL 2 AN 5D ( X40
  8,IS ? ,ROG] A REL,N ( YRS80 SD !
JUDGE4 8,A * OR A GR&*ILD80
  8,WELL1 NO40
  8,!N :AT IS YR 3NEC;N ) HM80
  8,HE J KNOCK$ ON ! DOOR "O NI<T1 & WE
TOOK HM IN10 ,BOB EXPLA9$4
  8,DID Y TRY 6F9D \ ": HE CAME F80
  8,YES40
  8,WELL1 :AT DID HE TELL Y80
  8,HE SD HE'D BE5 A RAT10 SD       #AEE
,BOB UNHAPPILY4
  ,! JUDGE GL>$ AT HM4
  8,HE DID1 ,YR ,HONOR10 SD ,JOAN4
  ,HE GL>$ AT H] TOO4 ,"S (! P 2GAN TO
:ISP]1 & "S 2GAN 6LAU<4 ,! JUDGE BANG$ 8
GAVEL = SIL;E4
  8,& :AT DID Y D ) ? *80 HE ASK$4
  8,WE TOOK HM 6! POLICE1 6! HOSPITAL1
6! ,C;Y ,HALL1 & N"O ( 'EM WANT$ HM4 ,WE
S5T HM 6S*OOL1 & ALL !Y DID 0 ?RA% HM4
,!N A G5TLEMAN CALL$ ! ,PHILOSOPH] ,ROY-
AL CAME & TOOK HM AWAY = "S TE/S1 & HE
F"R5$ ! BOY & HE RAN AWAY4 ,S9CE !N1 WE
BE5 LOOK+ ALL OV] = HM4
  8,& E "T WE NE>LY F.D HM1 "S?+ HAPP5$
& HE RAN (F "S": ELSE4 ,HE'S A FRLY LL
FELL]1 B HE'S V EASY 6MISL1D4 ,& :5 WE
HE>D ( ? MON/] NONS5SE1 WE ?"\ WE %D -E
AL;G1 9 CASE !Y EXT]M9AT$ HM 0MISTAKE40
  8,I SEE10 SD ! JUDGE4 8,IS ! ,PHILOSO-
PH] ,ROYAL DUE 6ATT5D Z A WIT;S80
  8,TM1 MY "L10 SD ! C\RT CL]K4
  8,S5D = HM N[10 SD ! JUDGE4 8,MR4 &
,MRS4 ,J"OS1 Y DID A WR;G ?+ 9 DCVG !
C\RT4 ,N"E!.S1 ,I A3EPT T Y ACT$    #AEF
= :AT Y ?"\ 7 GD R1SONS1 & ,I DIRECT T Y
% 2 F.D ROOM 6SIT & LI/5 6! RE/ (! TRI-
BUNAL4 ,B :E!R Y >E CALL$ AG 6! WIT;S /&
DEP5DS ON MY JUDG;T40
  8,?ANK Y1 MY "L10 SD ,BOB4
  ,! U%] L$ !M 6A B5* AT ! FRONT & MADE
"EY"O ELSE SQUEEZE UP1 : L$ 6A LOT (
GRUMBL+4
  ,0? "T1 ! R1L ,MR4 ,H>K;S _H >RIV$1 &
HE 0 BR"\ 9 NEXT4 ,HE _H EXAM9$ ! MON/]1
HE CLAIM$1 & 4COV]$ ALL K9DS ( WAYS 9 :
X 0 NONHUMAN4 ,HE %[$ ! C\RT DIAGRAMS &
*>TS & MA!MATICAL TA#S1 & HE PROV$ 0!
USE ( *EMICAL ANALYSIS & /ATI/ICAL SPEC-
TROSCOPY T ! MON/] 0 AN UN"KN & DANG]\S
LIFE =M4
  ,BOB 2GAN 6FIDGET4 ,JOAN NUDG$ HM TO
KEEP /4
  ,! NEXT WIT;S 0 "S"O SURPRIS+3 N"O O!R
?AN ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW4 ,BOB SAT UP & CL5*$
8 FI/S4
  8,Y >E ! PROPRIETOR (A FAIRGR.D EXHI-
BI;N80 SD ! LAWY]4
  8,I AM1 SIR1 & PR\D 6BE S10 SD ,MR4
,TAPSCREW4                          #AEG
  8,PL1SE TELL ! C\RT ( YR 9VOLVE;T )!
MON/]40
  8,I H _H L;G EXP]I;E )! FR1K TRADE1 MY
"L4 ,I H EXHIBIT$ NUM]\S NATURAL WOND]S1
F ! FAM\S ,SUMATRAN ,M]MAID 6! ,B"O.S
,WOND] ( ,MEXICO4
  8,N[1 ,I DON'T NE$ 6EXPLA9 6Y SOPHIS-
TICAT$ LADIES & G5TLEM5 T M* (! BUSI;S (
A FAIRGR.D EXHIBI;N IS 9 ! NATURE (
LI<THE>T$ MAKE-2LIEVE4 ,MY M]MAID1 = IN-
/.E--WELL1 :E!R "!'S M]MAIDS 9 ! SEA ,I
CDN'T SAY1 B ? "O 0 A GIRL CALL$ ,NANCY
,SWILL]S1 & H] TAIL 0 RUN UP \ ( SAT9 &
SEQU9S 0MY GD LADY WIFE4 ,M9D Y1 WE DID
GD BUSI;S ) H]2 ! PATRONS GOT _! M"OY'S
WOR?1 ,NANCY GOT A WAGE1 & "EY"O 0 SAT-
ISFI$4
  8,B ,I'M ALW ON ! LOOK\T = NEW & UNU-
SUAL EXHIBITS 6SET 2F ! PUBLIC1 MY "L4
,& :5 ,I HE>D (A NEW K9D ( MON/]1 HALF
*1 HALF RAT1 ,I SET \ 6F9D X4 ,&--0
  8,"O MO;T1 ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW10 SD !
JUDGE4 8,": DID Y HE> ( ? PH5OM5ON80
  8,IN ! SALOON B> (A PUB CALL$ ! ,BLACK
,HORSE1 IF ,I REMEMB] "R10 SD       #AEH
,MR4 ,TAPSCREW4 8,I 0 PASS+ ! "T ( "D1 &
"S"O HAPP5$ 6M5;N T HE'D HE>D TELL (A
CR1TURE V L A *1 ONLY DI6]5T1 RE,Y A RAT
9 FACT1 2+ LOOK$ AF OR 3C1L$ 0"S NEI<-
BORS ( HIS4 ,& ? CR1TURE WD GNAW XS WAY
"? ANY?+--X 0 WILD1 X 0 DANG]\S1 X 0
PROBABLY C>RY+ ALL K9DS ( 41SES--HE
WASN'T HAPPY AB LIV+ NEXT 6X40
  8,*>LIE10 MUTT]$ ,BOB4
  8,%HH60 SD ,JOAN4
  8,WELL1 FOLL[+ ON F ?10 ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW
W5T ON1 8,I MADE 9QUIRIES & 2GAN 69VE/I-
GATE1 & 2+ A DET]M9$ & EXP]I;ED 9VE/IGA-
TOR1 ,I SOON F.D ! CR1TURE 9 "Q40
  8,DID Y TAKE X BACK 6XS GU>DIANS8 ,^!
NEI<BORS Y M5;N$80 ASK$ ! LAWY]4
  8,NO4 ,! FACT WAS1 ,I DIDN'T "K ?
MAN'S "N1 ! *AP 9 ! PUB1 & ,I =GOT ":
HE'D TOLD ME HE LIV$4 ,S--0
  8,I ?"\ Y SD Y 7 AN EXP]I;ED 9VE/IGA-
TOR10 SD ! JUDGE4
  8,Y'RE Q "R1 MY "L10 SD ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW
*E];LLY1 N A BIT PUT \4 8,S ,I DID4 ,B X
0 V LATE AT NI<T :5 ,I F.D X1 &! RAT-
CR1TURE XF SEEM$ 6=M AN ATTA*;T     #AEI
6ME4 ,ANYWAY1 HE WDN'T L1VE ME1 & ,I
TOOK HM HOME \ ( PURE *>;Y1 & MY GD LADY
WIFE GAVE HM A M1L1 & Z WE WAT*$ HM EAT1
! IDEA CAME 6ME ( EXHIBIT+ HM Z AN $UCA-
;NAL 4PLAY4
  8,S WE W5T 6GRT EXP5SE 6FIT \ A WAGON
FULL (! MO/ -=TA# SURR.D+S1 & MADE SURE
HE _H ! MO/ V>I$ FOOD1 & OP5$ X UP 6!
S]I\S-M9D$ & 4C]N+ PUBLIC4
  8,& ,I H 6SAY1 MY "L0--"H ,MR4 ,TAP-
SCREW TOOK \ AN ENORM\S H&K]*IEF & BLEW
8 NOSE VIGOR\SLY--8,I H 6SAY WE 2CAME Q
ATTA*$ 6! CR1TURE1 V FOND 9DE$4 ,X WD
CURL UP AT \R FEET ( AN EV5+ & TAKE FOOD
F \R H&S1 & WE EV5 TAU<T X A FEW ^WS40
  ,HE DA2$ 8 EYES4
  8,B NATURE W \1 MY "L10 HE SD SADLY4
8,Y C TAKE ! B1/ 96YR HOME1 B Y C'T MAKE
HM HUMAN4 ,"O "D ! CR1TURE TR1*]\SLY
GNAW$ "? ! SIDE ( 8 WAGON & ESCAP$1 & WE
HAV5'T SE5 HM F T "D 6?40
  ,BOB CD H>DLY 3TA9 HMF4 ,E MUSCLE 9 8
BODY 0 TWIT*+ 6GET UP & PUN* ,MR4 ,TAP-
SCREW ON 8 LY+ NOSE1 B HE KNEW T IF HE
DID T1 HE'D 2 ?R[N \1 & ,JOAN 0     #AFJ
SQUEEZ+ 8 H& S TI<T H] NAILS 7 DI7+ 9TO
8 PALM4
  8,F YR F/H& OBS]V,N (! CR1TURE10 !
LAWY] 0 SAY+1 8DID Y DRAW ANY 3CLU.NS Z
6XS NATURE80
  8,YES10 SD ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW4 8,= ALL 8
MIMICK+1 HE WASN'T HUMAN4 ,"! 0 A DEFI-
NITE SCALI;S AB HM4 ,HE 0 COV]$ 9 SCABS
& PU/ULES4 ,I DR1D 6?9K (! H1L? RISKS1 B
MY D$IC,N 6SCI;E IS S GRT T ,I DIDN'T
WORRY AB X4 ,& 8 GNAW+3 T 0 ! GIVEAWAY4
,J EXACTLY L A GIANT RAT4 ,T &! PUS-
TULES40
  8,& F YR EXP]I;E1 ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW1 WD Y
SAY T A CR1TURE ( ? SORT CD 2 SU3ESS;LLY
TRA9$80
  8,NO1 SIR1 X CD N4 ,Z A "Y "O1 :AT Y
MI<T CALL A CUB OR A PUPPY K9D ( ?+1 X
MI<T 4PLAY SIGNS ( HUMAN-/YLE 2HAVIOR &
EV5 A6EC;N4 ,B LET 'EM GR[ UP & FEEL _!
/R5G?1 & SOON !Y />T GR[+ WILD4 ,!Y
DON'T WANT 6BE DOM9AT$1 Y SEE1 !Y WON'T
2 TAM$4 ,!Y A9'T L YR DOGS1 OR YR CATS1
:AT >E PROP] DOME/ICAT$ PETS4 ,? IS A
WILD & F]OCI\S CR1TURE4 ,J LET X    #AFA
GET BIG 5 & NO?+'LL /OP X F TE>+ YR
?ROAT \ & *EW+ X UP 2F YR V EYES4 ,)
RELI%10 HE A4$ ) RELI%4
  8,& Y H NO IDEA :AT HAPP5$ 6! MON/] AF
X ESCAP$80
  8,N"O1 YR WOR%IP40
  8,:AT >E Y EXHIBIT+ AT ! MO;T1 ,MR4
,TAPSCREW80
  8,A V F9E & UNUSUAL 4PLAY1 IF ,I MAY
SAY S1 YR "L%IP4 ,S]P5T9A ! ,SNAKE-
,GIRL4 ,HALF SNAKE1 HALF HUMAN1 ? LI! &
S9I/] CR1TURE 4PLAYS H] UNCANNY--0
  8,IS %E G5U9E8 ,OR IS %E L YR M]MAID80
  8,AHA1 Y'RE NO FOOL1 ,I C SEE T4 ,NO10
SD ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW JOVI,Y1 8%E'S A BIT (A
LI<THE>T$ AMUSE;T4 ,HALF-PRICE TD1 LA-
DIES & G5TLEM56 ,HALF-PRICE ADMIS.N 6!
,SNAKE-,GIRL DUR+ ! TRIAL--0
  8,?ANK Y1 ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW4 ,Y MAY /&
D[N40
  ,Z ,MR4 ,TAPSCREW LEFT ! WIT;S /&1 HE
H&$ \ L1FLETS 6! NE>E/ P UNTIL HE SAW
,BOB & ,JOAN GL>+ AT HM4 ,!N HE LOOK$ !
O!R WAY & HURRI$ \4
  ,! U%] 0 H&+ ! JUDGE A NOTE4 ,!   #AFB
JUDGE R1D X & SD1 8,V WELL4 ,CALL HM 9
NEXT40
  ,! U%] W5T \1 & ,BOB MUTT]$1 8,! L;G]
!Y TALK1 ! WORSE X GETS6 ,!Y "\] J BR+ !
LL FELL] 9 & PUT HM ON ! /&1 & !N "EY-
"O'D SEE HE A9'T A MON/]60
  8,I DON'T ?9K !Y W10 ,JOAN :ISP]$
BACK4 8,! L;G] X GOES ON1 ! M SILLY !Y'D
LOOK IF !Y DID4 ,!Y J C'T AF=D 6N[40
  ,! U%] CAME BACK 6! C\RT & ANN\NC$3
8,DR4 ,SEPTIMUS ,PROSS]1 ! ,PHILOSOPH]
,ROYAL60
  8,AH1 !Y'RE ALL -+ \ (! WOOD"W N[10 SD
,BOB "U 8 BR1? Z ! ,PHILOSOPH] ,ROYAL
TOOK ! /&4
  8,:AT >E YR DUTIES1 ,DR4 ,PROSS]80 !
LAWY] 2GAN4
  8,HIS ,MAJE/Y ! ,K+ IS A V GIFT$ AMA-
TEUR PHILOSOPH]4 ,I H ! HONOR 6S]VE Z 8
P]SONAL PHILOSOPHICAL ADVIS]40
  8,CD Y TELL ! C\RT ( YR 9VOLVE;T )!
MON/]80
  8,0ALL M1NS4 ,X CAME 6MY ATT5;N T "! 0
A * :O CLAIM$ HE _H BE5 A RAT4 ,I 0
CURI\S1 S ,I TRAC$ ! * & 3DUCT$     #AFC
"S TE/S40
  ,"H ! ,PHILOSOPH] ,ROYAL TOOK "S PAP]S
\ (A BRIEFCASE & PUT ON A PAIR ( GLASS-
ES4
  8,I F.D10 HE W5T ON1 8A REM>KA# DEGREE
( 4SOCI,N & D5IAL1 P>ANOID 9 NATURE4 ,!
CR1TURE'S COGNITIVE DEVELOP;T 0 ABNORM,Y
RET>D$ '''0
  ,BOB 0 GR9D+ 8 TEE?4 ,! ,PHILOSOPH]
,ROYAL TALK$ SMOO?LY ON1 EXPLA9+1 DEMON-
/RAT+1 DEF9+1 & ,ROG] SEEM$ 62COME LESS
& LESS R1L1 UNTIL HE 0 ONLY A ^W AM;G A
LOT ( O!R ^WS4
  ,EV5TU,Y ! JUDGE 9T]RUPT$4 8,DR4
,PROSS]1 LET ME SEE IF ,I "U/& Y CLE>LY4
,Y MA9TA9 T ! CR1TURE IS ESS5TI,Y A RAT1
& N ESS5TI,Y HUMAN80
  8,Q S1 MY "L4 ,! 9TR9SIC NATURE (!
CR1TURE IS S* T "! IS NO MORAL 3T9UUM 2T
X & \RVS40
  8,AG1 LET ME TRY 6CL>IFY ?4 ,Y MA9TA9
T WE1 Z HUMAN 2+S1 H NO MORAL RESPONSI-
BIL;Y 6? CR1TURE8 ,X IS N HUMAN1 & "!=E
WE %D TR1T X Z WE MI<T ANY K9D ( V]M980
  8,YES1 T IS ! CASE40              #AFD
  ,BOB CD /& X NO M4 ,HE /OOD1 %OOK 8
FI/ AT ! ,PHILOSOPH] ,ROYAL1 & RO>$3 8,Y
N"E TR1T$ HM PROP]1 Y OLD FRAUD6 ,Y
BROKE YR ^W 6U & Y LET HM RUN AWAY6
,DAMN ALL ? FANCY TALK6 ,HE A9'T A MON/]
OR A CR1TURE OR A RAT OR ANY K9D ( V]M9
--HE'S A LL BOY60
  ,! JUDGE 0 BANG+ ON ! B5*1 ! U%] 0
HURRY+ T[>D ,BOB1 & TWO POLICEM5 7 RU%+
9 6HELP4
  ,Z !Y SEIZ$ ,BOB'S >M1 HE %\T$3 8,BR+
HM 6! C\RT6 ,LET 'EM ALL H A LOOK6 ,LI/5
6HM SP1K6 ,!N Y'LL SEE6 ,HE'S A LL BOY6
,HE'S HUMAN6 ,HE'S L U6 ,BR+ HM \ & H A
LOOK AT HM60
  ,B !Y'D GOT HM 6! DOOR 0? "T4 ,JOAN
CRI$ \ 6,BOB T %E 0 -+ ) HM1 B NO "O CD
HE> 9 ALL ! 3FU.N4 ,P 7 %\T+1 JE]+1
LAU<+1 & /&+ ON ! B5*ES 6GET A BETT]
LOOK4 ,X 0 ! MO/ EXCIT+ "D 9 C\RT =
YE>S4



          ,,! ,,DAILY ,,SC\RGE      #AFE
            ,,MON/] ,,3DEMN$

    ,(FICIAL--! ,MON/] (! ,SEW]S IS TO
    DIE6
  ,YE/]"D1 AF S5S,NAL SC5ES AT ! TRIBU-
NAL1 ! DECI.N 0 H&$ D[N 0! LE>N$ JUDGE3
..,KILL ,! ,F\L .,B1/4 ,! MON/] W 2 EX-
T]M9AT$ TM4

    ,CELEBR,NS
  ,"! 7 WILD SC5ES ( JOY \TSIDE ! C\RT
:5 ! V]DICT 0 ANN\NC$4 ,P>5TS :O _H BE5
KEEP+ _! *N AWAY F S*OOL CELEBRAT$ )
FIRE"WS & /REET "PIES4
  ,SEV5TY-EI<T P 7 9JUR$1 FIVE ( !M S]I-
\SLY4

    ,\R PHILOSOPHY CORRESPOND5T WRITES3
  ,X 0 ! TE/IMONY ( ,DR4 ,PROSS]1 !
,PHILOSOPH] ,ROYAL1 T MADE ! DI6];E4
.,R1D .,HM .,TD4



        ,,! ,,PHILOSOPH] ,,ROYAL    #AFF
   ,,SP1KS--,,ONLY ,,9 ,,! .,,SC\RGE6

    ,DON'T 2LIEVE 9 :AT Y SEE6
    0,DR4 ,SEPTIMUS ,PROSS]
  ,WISE M5 & WOM5 "?\T ! AGES H SD ? AG
& AG3 APPE>.ES >E DECEPTIVE4
  ,X'S N :AT "S?+ LOOKS L ON ! SURFACE T
C.TS4
  ,X'S :AT LIES "UN1?4
  ,! ,MON/] (! ,SEW]S MAY LOOK L A LL *4
,HE MAY H ! APPE>.E (A NORMAL N9E-YE>-
OLD BOY4
  ..,B H[ (T5 H WE BE5 DCVD 0.LOOKS6
  ,\R S5SES >E LIMIT$ ?+S4 ,WE SEE V LL
-P>$ 6BIRDS ( PREY4 ,NEXT 6BATS1 WE'RE
ALM D1F4 ,& Z =! S5SE ( SMELL1 ,FIDO &
,ROV] H GOT U WELL B1T5 9 T DE"P;T4

  ..,S :O IS 6SAY T WE %D TRU/ ! APPE>.E
( ? .CR1TURE8

  ,8 TRUE NATURE IS :AT MATT]S4 ,HI451
SECRET1 D>K1 DECEPTIVE4 ,A CESSPOOL (
WILD APPETITES4 ,T'S ! R1L TRU? (!
MATT]4                              #AFG
  ,!N "! >E ^? :O ASK :AT ! MON/] HAS
8D"O WR;G40
  ,Z IF T MATT]S6
  ,WR;G;S IS 9 8 V NATURE4 ,X'S :AT HE
IS T MATT]S1 N :AT HE DOES4

    ,PHILOSOPHY SAYS3
  ..,DON'T TRU/ YR S5SES4 ,! TRU? IS N
:AT Y SEE4 ,X'S :AT Y .DON'T6















                                    #AFH
























         ,SC>LET ,SLIPP]S1 OR !     #AFI
   ,PRACTICAL ,VALUE ( ,CRAFTSMAN%IP

  ,6TELL ! TRU?1 ! ,PHILOSOPH] ,ROYAL'S
>TICLE _H BE5 5TIRELY REWRITT5 0! SUB-
$ITOR S ! R1D]S CD "U/& X1 B X 0 M OR
LESS :AT ,DR4 ,PROSS] _H SD4
  ,"EY"O AGRE$ T ? 0 A V E6ECTIVE >TI-
CLE1 & R1D]S SD 6EA* O!R T ( C\RSE Y %D
N"E G 0APPE>.ES1 .!Y N"E _H1 Y CD N"E
TRU/ :AT "S"O LOOK$ L ON ! SURFACE1 !Y 7
B.D 6BE DI6]5T "UN1?4
  ,JOAN DIDN'T R1D X1 & NEI DID ,BOB4
,!Y 7 F> TOO WORRI$4 ,AF !Y'D BE5 ?R[N \
(! C\RT1 !Y _H TRI$ 6F9D A REPORT] 6TELL
_! SIDE (! /ORY TO1 B NO "O WD LI/54 ,!
.,DAILY .,SC\RGE _H DECID$ T ! PUBLIC 0
M 9T]E/$ 9 HAV+ ! MON/] EXT]M9AT$1 S T 0
T4
  ,Z ! OLD C\PLE SAT T EV5+ 9 DESPAIR AB
:AT !Y CD D1 ,JOAN SD SU45LY3 8,M>Y
,JANE60
  8,:O'S ,M>Y ,JANE80 SD ,BOB4
  8,D'Y\ REMEMB]10 %E SD1 GRIPP+ 8 >M1
8:5 WE 0 TALK+ AB ! ,ROYAL ,W$D+ &! NEW
,PR9CESS1 ,ROG] SD %E 0 RE,Y        #AGJ
CALL$ ,M>Y ,JANE60
  8,OH1 AYE1 S HE DID4 ,I ?"\ HE 0 J
MAK+ UP A Y>N40
  8,WELL1 S DID ,I4 ,B HE 0 "E S FIRM AB
X1 & X WASN'T L HM 6BE /U2ORN1 S ,I
DIDN'T ASK HM ANY M4 ,ANYWAY10 %E SD1
8:AT AB ASK+ H] 6HELP80
  8,H[80 HE SD4
  8,I DON'T "K4 ,B %E SEEMS A NICE K9D
P]SON1 6G 0H] PICTURE--0
  8,%DN'T G 0APPE>.ES10 ,BOB SD BITT]LY4
  8,OH1 T'S PHILOSOPHY4 ,-MON S5SE ALW
GOES 0APPE>.ES4 ,I SAY %E LOOKS NICE &
%E MI<T .2 NICE1 & X'S ! ONLY ?+ WE C D1
ISN'T X80
  ,BOB SCRAT*$ UP 8 H1D4 8,Y1H10 HE AD-
MITT$1 8T'S TRUE 5\<40 ,!N HE SAT UP4
8,I "K H[ WE C GET 6SEE H]60
  8,H[80
  8,Y "K !M SC>LET SLIPP]S ,I MADE1 )!
GOLD HEELS80
  ,%E SD NO?+1 B J LOOK$ AT HM & NO4$4
  8,WELL10 HE W5T ON1 8WE CD TAKE 'EM TO
H] Z A PRES5T1 & IF %E C'T WE> 'EM H]F1
%E CD USE 'EM =A ROYAL * IF "O      #AGA
-ES AL;G4 ,WE'LL G "R AWAY60























                                    #AGB
























          ,PR9CESS ,M>Y ,JANE       #AGC

  ,!Y KNEW ! WAY 6! ,PALACE WELL 5 0N[1
& !Y F.D ! PLACE M* BETT] LOOK$ AF ?AN
:5 !Y'D LA/ -E4 ,"! 7 NO HI< J9KS 9 !
S]VANTS' HALL1 NO SO3] 9 ! C\RTY>D1 NO
SMOK+ 9 ! S5TRY BOXES4 ,N[ T ! ,K+ &
,QUE5 7 BACK F ! ,HOTEL ,SPL5DIFICO &!
"Y ,PR9CE & ,PR9CESS 7 BACK F _! H"OY-
MOON1 "EY?+ 0 SPICK-&-SPAN &! S]VANTS 7
ON _! BE/ 2HAVIOR4
  ,! FOOTMAN :O CAME 6ANSW] _! KNOCK AT
! TRADESM5'S 5TR.E LI/5$ C>E;LLY & SD3
8,I % 3VEY YR GIFT 6,H] ,ROYAL ,HI<;S1 &
,I'M SURE H] LADY-IN-WAIT+ W S5D Y A
NOTE ( ?ANKS40
  8,CD WE SEE ! ,PR9CESS \RVS80 SD
,JOAN4 8,X'S RE,Y IMPORTANT1 H"O/40
  8,N )\T AN APPO9T;T1 MADAM4 ,WRITE 6!
(FICE (! ,PR9CESS ,AURELIA AT ! ,PALACE4
,H] PRIVATE SECRET>Y W SEE 6X40
  8,B WE .GOT 6SEE H]60 SD ,BOB DESP]-
ATELY4 8,X'S A MATT] ( LIFE & D1?60
  8,I'M V SORRY--0 ! FOOTMAN 2GAN1 B A
VOICE 2H HM SD3
  8,:O'S ?80                        #AGD
  ,X 0 A "Y LADY'S VOICE4 ,! FOOTMAN
JUMP$ ) SURPRISE & B[$ :ILE HE 0 / 9
MIDAIR1 S HE CAME D[N 9 A CR\*4
  ,BOB & ,JOAN CD H>DLY 2LIEVE _! EYES4
,X 0 ! NEW ,PR9CESS H]F1 DRESS$ 9 CASUAL
CLO!S1 J /&+ "! Z ORD9>Y Z !Y W]E4 ,!
FOOTMAN DIDN'T "K :E!R 6FAWN & GROVEL OR
6TELL H] (F = 2+ 9 ! WR;G "P (! ,PALACE4
  8,OH1 ,YR ,ROYAL ,HI<;S10 SD ,JOAN QK-
LY1 8WE CAME 6BR+ Y A PRES5T--0
  8,H[ K9D6 ,D -E IN10 %E SD4
  ,! FOOTMAN SA7$ ) %OCK1 B HE _H 6G
AL;G ) :AT ! ,PR9CESS WANT$1 & HE HELD !
DOOR OP5 = ,BOB & ,JOAN4
  ,!Y FELT V %Y4 ,!Y FOLL[$ ! ,PR9CESS
AL;G ! CORRIDOR & UP ! /AIRS 96A FRLY-
LOOK+ LL SITT+ ROOM1 N AT ALL GR& & POM-
P\S L ! RE/ (! ,PALACE4
  8,]--"H Y >E1 ,YR ,ROYAL ,HI<;S10 SD
,BOB1 H&+ H] ! %OEBOX4 8,IF !Y DON'T
FIT1 ,I EXPECT !Y'LL D "O "D =A LIT-
TL'UN4 ,BEG YR P>DON--,I M1N A "Y PR9-
CESS4 ,I MADE 'EM MYF10 HE A4$4
  8,OH1 !Y'RE B1UTI;L10 %E SD1 KICK+ (F
! S&ALS %E 0 WE>+4 8,& !Y FIT ME    #AGE
P]FECTLY6 ,?ANK Y S M*4 ,Y'RE TOO K9D40
  ,!Y DID FIT1 TOO1 SMALL Z !Y W]E4 ,BOB
CD H>DLY 2LIEVE 8 LUCK4
  8,I'M GLAD Y L 'EM1 MA'AM10 HE SD4 8,B
! ?+ IS1 WE GOT A T]RI# PRO#M--,I DON'T
L 6IMPOSE1 B WE CDN'T ?9K ( ANY"O ELSE
6ASK--0
  8,TELL ME AB X10 %E SD4 8,LET'S SIT
D[N40
  ,%E WASN'T AT ALL L Y EXPECT$ A PR9-
CESS 6BE1 !Y AGRE$ AFW2 %E 0 J L A R1L
P]SON1 9 FACT1 B A ?\S& "TS PRETTI]1 & S
K9D & 3C]N$4 ,%E LI/5$ 6_! /ORY F ! MO;T
,BOB HE>D ! KNOCK ON ! DOOR 6! MO;T !Y
?"\ ( BR++ H] ! SLIPP]S4
  ,! ,PR9CESS LI/5$ WIDE-EY$ & DIDN'T
SP1K TILL !Y'D F9I%$4 ,%E'D G"O PALE4
  8,!Y'RE GO+ 6.KILL HM80 %E SD4
  8,X'S CRUEL & WICK$10 SD ,BOB1 8B WE
C'T /OP 'EM4 ,WE D"O "EY?+ WE CD ?9K (40
  8,S WE CAME 6Y10 SD ,JOAN1 8Z A LA/
RESORT1 & ,I'M SORRY 6PUT ? TR\# ON YR
DOOR/EP1 B ! ?+ IS1 HE SD "S?+ AB .,M>Y
.,JANE1 &--0
  ,! ,PR9CESS SAT UP %>PLY4         #AGF
  8,B T'S MY "N60 %E SD4 8,ONLY NO "O'S
SUPPOS$ 6"K X4 ,!Y SD X WASN'T A SUITA#
"N =A PR9CESS1 & ,I _H 6*ANGE X4 ,B TELL
ME AG3 :5 DID HE SAY HE *ANG$ 96A BOY80
  8,HE W]5'T SURE10 SD ,BOB1 8B RECKON+
BACKW>D1 ,I'D SAY X 7 J AB ! "T YR EN-
GAGE;T 0 ANN\NC$1 MA'AM40
  ,! ,PR9CESS PUT H] H& 6H] M\?4
  8,I "K :O HE IS60 %E :ISP]$4 8,PL1SE--
DON'T ASK ANY M--,I'LL HELP HM10 %E SD4
8,I'LL D MY BE/1 ,I PROMISE--B Y M/N'T
ASK ME ANY M AB X6 ,PL1SE6 ,X'S A D1DLY
SECRET '''0
  8,WE WDN'T DR1M ( 2TRAY+ ANY SECRETS10
SD ,BOB4 8,& IF Y HELP 6SAVE T LL BOY1
,I'LL KEEP Y 9 SLIPP]S =! RE/ ( YR LIFE1
MA'AM40
  8,D Y ?9K Y C1 ,YR ,ROYAL ,HI<;S80 SD
,JOAN4
  8,I DON'T "K :AT !Y'LL LET ME D10 SD !
,PR9CESS1 8B ,I'LL TRY MY ABSOLUTE H>D-
E/1 ,I PROMISE40


         ,! ,PR9CESS &! ,PRISON     #AGG

  ,NEXT "D1 ! DIRECTOR (! ,QU>ANT9E ,DE-
"P;T RCVD AN URG5T MESSAGE Z SOON Z HE
>RIV$ = "W4
  8,D N PROCE$ )! ;,E-PROGRAM = ,SUBJECT
,NO4 #EDFC4 ,REP1T1 D N PROCE$4 ,EXPECT
,V ,IMPORTANT ,VISITOR4 ,MAKE SURE SUB-
JECT IS CL1N & PRES5TA#40
  ,! DIRECTOR 0 V RELIEV$4 ;,E /OOD =
EXT]M9,N1 & HE _HN'T BE5 LOOK+ =W>D 6X4
,HE GAVE ORD]S = ,SUBJECT ,NO4 #EDFC 6BE
WA%$ & PLAC$ 9 A -=TA# CAGE1 & !N HE GOT
R1DY = 8 ,V ,IMPORTANT ,VISITOR1 HAV+ NO
IDEA ( :O X CD BE1 ( C\RSE4
  ,:5 8 SECRET>Y ANN\NC$ 9 A TREMBLY
VOICE1 8,H] ,ROYAL ,HI<;S1 ! ,PR9CESS
,AURELIA10 HE NE>LY FA9T$4
  ,L "EY"O ELSE1 HE 0 FASC9AT$ 0! GRACE-
;L & *>M+ ,PR9CESS4 ,HE'D R1D ALL ! AC-
C.TS ( H] :IRLW9D 5GAGE;T1 HE'D BE5 AM;G
! CR[D *E]+ ON ! W$D+ "D1 HE'D HALF
FALL5 9 LOVE ) H] HMF1 Z _H S _M O!RS4
,6F9D H] "H1 9 8 [N (FICE1 ALM MADE HM
DIZZY4
  ,%E LOOK$ EV5 PRETTI] ?AN HE      #AGH
REMEMB]$4 ,"! 0 A DETECTIVE 6GU>D H] &A
LADY-IN-WAIT+ 6A3OMPANY H]1 & "? ALL !
2WILD]$ RO>+ 9 8 E>S ! DIRECTOR HE>D H]
SAY "S?+ AB ! RAT-BOY4
  8,I'M SORRY10 HE SD1 8! ''' DID Y SAY
'''0
  8,YES10 %E SD1 8,I'D L 6VISIT HM1 IF
,I MAY40
  8,HE'S--]--V DANG]\S1 MA'AM10 ! DIREC-
TOR MANAG$ 6SAY4 8,HE DOESN'T LOOK X1 B
Z Y "K1 APPE>.ES >E V DECEPTIVE4 ,X'S
EASY 6BE MISL$ 96?9K+ HE'S H>M.S1 B--0
  8,YES1 ,I "U/&10 %E SD4 8,B ,I'M V IN-
T]E/$ 9 ? CASE1 & ,I'D L 6SEE = MYF40
  8,( C\RSE6 ,0ALL M1NS6 ,N[1 WE'LL J
CALL ?REE OR F\R KEEP]S--!Y'LL 2 >M$1
DON'T WORRY--& !N ,I'LL TAKE Y AL;G 6HIS
CAGE40
  8,:Y D Y KEEP HM 9 A CAGE80 SD ! ,PR9-
CESS4
  8,2C HE IS 2+ ( UN"KN ORIG91 "S?+ S9-
I/] & DANG]\S10 ! DIRECTOR EXPLA9$ PA-
TI5TLY4 ,%E 0 S PRETTY1 HE ?"\1 X DIDN'T
MATT] IF %E WASN'T V CL"E4
  8,I SEE10 %E SD4 8,WELL1 ,I'D L   #AGI
6SEE HM ANYWAY4 ,& IF HE'S 9 A CAGE1 ,I
WON'T NE$ ANY O!R PROTEC;N40
  ,%E 0 /U2ORN TOO4 ,%E WDN'T AGREE 6>M$
MEMB]S ( /AFF1 & %E 9SI/$ ON H] LADY-IN-
WAIT+ & H] DETECTIVE /AY+ 9 ! (FICE4 ,%E
WANT$ 6SEE ! MON/] AL"O1 & T 0 T4
  ,WELL1 %E 0 ! ,PR9CESS & !Y _H 6AGREE1
AL? ! IDEA ( ? FRAGRANT DELICATE B1UTY
FACE 6FACE )! RAV5+ ,MON/] (! ,SEW]S
MADE ! DIRECTOR %IV]4 ,X 0 TOO HORRI# TO
?9K AB :AT MI<T HAPP51 S HE TRI$ N 6?9K
AB ANY?+ & ORD]$ "S C(FEE & MADE 3V]S,N
)! LADY-IN-WAIT+ 9/1D4











                                    #AHJ
























          ,WI% Z ,H>D Z ,Y ,L       #AHA

  ,ROG] 0 SITT+ ON ! FLOOR ( 8 CAGE C.T+
8 TOES :5 ! DOOR (! ROOM OP5$ & "S"O
CAME IN4 ,HE DIDN'T LOOK UP2 !Y 7 ALL !
SAME1 EXCEPT T "S ( !M 7 WORSE4
  ,B 8 NO/RILS CAU<T A NICE SMELL1 L
FL[]S4
  ,X REM9D$ HM ( "S?+4 ,HE TWIT*$ A BIT
H>D]--& !N HE LOOK$ UP4
  8,M>Y ,JANE60 HE CRI$4
  ,%E 0 AL"O4 ,HE JUMP$ UP ) DELI<T1 N"E
M9D+ T HE _HN'T GOT ANY CLO!S ON1 & RAN
6R1* \ "? ! B>S4
  ,%E TOOK 8 H&S4
  8,HU%1 ,RATTY10 %E SD1 8Y M/N'T CALL
ME ,M>Y ,JANE ANYMORE4 ,WE BO? BE5
*ANG$1 & Y'RE ,ROG] N[1 ISN'T T "R8
,WELL1 ,I'M ,PR9CESS ,AURELIA4 ,S Y
M/N'T TELL ANY"O AB ,M>Y ,JANE1 & ,I
WON'T TELL ANY"O Y 7 A RAT40
  8,I KEPT TELL+ 'EM10 HE SD1 8ONLY NO
"O 2LIEV$ ME6 ,F/ !Y N"E 2LIEV$ ,I 0 A
RAT1 !N !Y N"E 2LIEV$ ,I'M A BOY6 ,I
DON'T "U/& 'EM1 TRULY ,I DON'T40
  8,BOB & ,JOAN CAME 6SEE ME LA/    #AHB
NI<T10 ! ,PR9CESS SD4 8,I N"E KNEW AB
ANY ( X TILL !N4 ,OH1 !Y'RE S WORRI$ AB
Y1 ,ROG]4 ,& ,I TOLD !M ,I'D HELP1 &
,I'LL TRY1 TRULY ,I W4 ,X'S HORRI# :AT
^! P >E DO+ 6Y1 X'S WR;G & WICK$1 &
,I'LL GET X /OPP$1 SEE IF ,I DON'T4
,EVIL MON/] F ! SEW]S6 ,I N"E HE>D ( S*
NONS5SE60
  8,":'S ! MON/]80 SD ,ROG]1 HALF F"R5$4
  8,"! ISN'T "O10 %E SD4 8,N[1 LI/5 C>E-
;LLY1 2C WE MI<T N 2 A# 6TALK AG L ?--IN
PRIVATE1 ,I M1N4 ,:AT D Y REMEMB] AB 2+
A RAT80
  8,WELL1 ,I 0 A LL BOY RAT1 & WE LIV$
NE> ! *EESE /ALL 9 ! M>KET1 J 2H YR
H\SE4 ,& Y US$ 6"W 9 ! KIT*54 ,& Y US$
6GIVE ME SCRAPS & TICKLE ME & CALL ME
,RATTY4 ,I REMEMB] T N[1 B ,I =GOT X 2F4
,!N "O "D Y CAU<T ME 9 A %OEBOX & BRUNG
ME 9 ! KIT*5 TOO1 & 2F ,I KNEW ANY?+
ELSE1 ,I 0 A BOY1 /&+ UP L ?1 ONLY )
CLO!S ON40
  8,D Y REMEMB] :AT *ANG$ Y80
  8,NO4 ,:5 ,I 0 A RAT1 ,I DIDN'T "K
ANY?+1 & :5 ,I 0 A BOY1 X 0 ALL     #AHC
OV] ALR4 ,B Y 0 ALL DRESS$ UP = DANC+1 &
,I _H 6G ) Y ON ! COA* & OP5 ! DOOR &
PULL ! /EP D[N & G ) Y 96! ,PALACE4 ,A
B1UTI;L LADY TOLD ME ALL T1 & ,I D"O X40
  8,& Y 7 SUPPOS$ 6WAIT )! COA* = ME 6-E
BACK40
  8,WAS ,I8 ,T M/ 2 :AT ,I =GOT 6D4
,YES1 ,I REMEMB]6 ,I GOT LO/ 9 ! ,PALACE
& GOT UP 6MIS*IEF4 ,ME &! ,PALACE PAGE
BOYS1 WE PLAY$ SO3] 9 !M L;G CORRIDORS
UP/AIRS1 & WE SLID D[N ! BANI/]S1 & WE
CREPT 9 ! KIT*5 & ATE ! JELLIES & SAU-
SAGE ROLLS4 ,WE D"O ALL K9DS ( ?+S4 ,&
!N ,I 0 SUPPOS$ 6G BACK 6! COA*1 & PUT !
/EP UP AF Y & %UT ! DOOR & ALL1 ONLY :5
,I REMEMB]$ & W5T "!1 Y 0 G"O & "!
WASN'T A COA* OR NO?+4 ,& !Y WDN'T LET
ME BACK 9 ! ,PALACE 2C ALL !M O!R PAGE
BOYS _H BE5 :IPP$ & S5T 6B$1 & ,I DIDN'T
2L;G1 ,I _H ! WR;G UNI=M1 & !Y S5T ME
AWAY4
  8,& AF T1 ,I DUNNO :AT ,I D"O4 ,ALL
K9DS ( BAD ?+S1 ,I ?9K4 ,!N ,I F.D ,BOB
& ,JOAN1 ONLY ,I GOT LO/ AG1 & N[ ,I'M 9
PRISON4 ,I ?9K !Y'RE GO+ 6/]M9ATE   #AHD
ME1 ,M>Y ,JANE1 & IF ,BOB & ,JOAN KNEW
AB X1 !Y WDN'T LET X HAPP54 ,MAYBE X'D 2
BE/ IF ,I W5T BACK 62+ A PROP] RAT4 ,I
TRI$ 2+ A RAT 9 ! SEW]S1 ONLY NO?+ W5T
"R4 ,I C'T G BACK & ,I C'T G =W>D1 ,I
DON'T "K :AT 6D1 ,M>Y ,JANE1 RE,Y ,I
DON'T4 .,C ,I G BACK80
  8,I DON'T RECKON Y C10 %E SD1 8ANY M
?AN ,I C4 ,Y'RE /UCK Z A BOY1 & ,I'M
/UCK Z A PR9CESS40
  8,DON'T Y WANT 6BE A PR9CESS1 ,M>Y
,JANE80
  8,WELL1 ,I DID 6/>T )4 ,I L;G$ = X4 ,I
WI%$ S H>D6 ,B ,I'M N SURE ANYMORE4 ,I'M
S AFRAID ,I MADE A MISTAKE1 ,ROG]4 ,I
MI<T H BE5 BETT] (F /AY+ ,M>Y ,JANE4
,SEE1 ,I DON'T ?9K X'S :AT Y .>E T MAT-
T]S4 ,I ?9K X'S :AT Y .D4 ,I ?9K !Y'D L
ME 6J .BE1 & N .D ANY?+4 ,T'S ! TR\#40
  8,WE "\] "W T MAGIC AG1 L :AT *ANG$ U
9 ! F/ PLACE10 HE SD4
  8,I WI% WE CD10 %E SD4
  8,WE CD TRY & WI% T LADY BACK60
  8,YES10 %E SD1 8LET'S TRY40
  ,%E 0 HOLD+ 8 H&S "? ! B>S4 ,!    #AHE
,PR9CESS &! MON/] CLOS$ _! EYES & WI%$ Z
H>D Z !Y CD1 TILL !Y 7 TREMBL+ ) X2 B :5
!Y OP5$ _! EYES1 NO?+ _H *ANG$1 &! ONLY
B1UTI;L LADY "! 0 ! ,PR9CESS H]F4
  8,WELL1 P]H WE C'T10 %E SD AF A MO;T
OR TWO4 8,X GOES 6%[4 ,MAYBE %E ONLY -ES
ONCE & GRANTS Y A WI%1 & !N Y'RE /UCK )!
3SEQU;ES4 ,I SUPPOSE WE'LL H 6MAKE ! BE/
( X40
  8,WELL1 ,I .CD G ON 2+ A BOY10 SD
,ROG]1 8IF ONLY !Y'D LET ME4 ,I C D X Q
WELL MO/ (! "T1 EXCEPT :5 !Y MAKE \ ,I'M
"S?+ ELSE "UN1?40
  8,WE'LL H 6SEE :AT WE C D10 SD ! ,PR9-
CESS4









                                    #AHF
























          ,,! ,,DAILY ,,SC\RGE      #AHG
 ,,MIRACLE ,,( ,,PR9CESS ,,& 8,,MON/]0

  ,"! 7 EXTRAORD9>Y SC5ES YE/]"D \TSIDE
! ,PALACE Z ! NEWS EM]G$ ( ,PR9CESS ,AU-
RELIA'S MIRACLE 9T]V5;N 9 ! S-CALL$
,MON/] CASE4
  ,Z _M _H SUSPECT$1 ! 8,MON/]0 0 NO?+ (
! SORT4

    ,A FAIRY-TALE ,PR9CESS
  ,X TOOK ! CLE>-SI<T$ VI.N (A FAIRY-
TALE ,PR9CESS 6P5ETRATE 6! HE>T (! MATT]
& SEE ! A/.D+ TRU?4
  ..,! MON/] 0 ONLY A LL .BOY4
  ,N A SUBHUMAN FI5D4 ,N A V5OM-DRIPP+
B1/ F ! NE!RMO/ PIT ( HELL4
  ,J A NORMAL LL FELL[ L ANY O!R4 ,MIS-
*IEV\S1 P]H1 B EVIL8
  ,N 9 A MON? ( ,SUN"DS6

    ,LUCKY 6BE ALIVE
  ,! BOY IS 6BE REL1S$ 96! C>E ( FO/]
P>5TS & APPR5TIC$ 6A DEC5T TRADE4
    ,! .,SC\RGE SAYS3
  ..,GOD B.S \R ,PR9CESS            #AHH
.,AURELIA6
  ,"!'S NO CORN] (! _W S D>K T A LL RAY
( MAGIC F A ,PR9CESS'S HE>T C'T LI<T X
UP4
  ,Z = ^! SELF-APPO9T$ 8EXP]TS0 & 8PHI-
LOSOPH]S03 ..,": IS _! .-PAS.N8
  ,?ANKS 6,PR9CESS ,AURELIA1 A LL BOY C
SLEEP SAFE TN4
  ..,H[ _M M 9NOC5T *N >E "U ?R1T F \R
CRUEL1 COLD-HE>T$ SY/EM ( S-CALL$ .JUS-
TICE8

,R1D M AB ,PR9CESS ,AURELIA ON PAGES #B-
  #AC4
,A FAIRY TALE MADE 9 ,H1V51 0\R ,ROYAL
  CORRESPOND5T1 PP4 #AD-AF4
,PRIVATE PICTURES F ,PR9CESS ,AURELIA'S
  FAMILY COLLEC;N1 PP4 #AG-AI4
,SPECIAL F1TURE3 ,PR9CESS ,AURELIA'S FA-
  VORITE *>ITIES1 PP4 #BJ-BA4
,9T]VIEW ) ,PR9CESS ,AURELIA'S HAIR-
  DRESS]1 P4 #BB4
,B1UTY TIPS 0,PR9CESS ,AURELIA'S P]SONAL
  MAKE-UP EXP]T1 P4 #BC4
,-PAS.N3 ! LATE/ H1L? SECRET1 P4    #AHI
  #BD4























                                    #AIJ
























           ,! ,P[] (! ,PRESS        #AIA

  ,ON E FRONT PAGE ( E NEWSPAP] 9 ! C\N-
TRY1 "! 7 BIG PICTURES (! ,PR9CESS1
LOOK+ B1UTI;L & 3C]N$4 ,! /ORIES T W5T )
!M 7 3FUS+1 B !Y ALL SD R\<LY ! SAME ?+3
! ,PR9CESS1 0! SUP]HUMAN P[] ( H] LOVE &
-PAS.N1 _H "W$ A MIRACLE & TRANS=M$ !
<A/LY EVIL RAV5+ ,MON/] (! ,SEW]S 96A
NORMAL LL BOY4
  ,:AT _H RE,Y HAPP5$1 ( C\RSE1 0 SIM-
PLE4 ,! .,DAILY .,SC\RGE _H SE5 AN EV5
BETT] /ORY ?AN ! "O AB ! ,MON/] (! ,SEW-
]S4 ,! ,PR9CESS ,AURELIA /ORY _H "EY?+1
& X CD RUN = YE>S--) PRETTI] PICTURES1
TOO4









                                    #AIB
























             ,TOA/$ ,*EESE          #AIC

  8,WELL1 ,I N"E KNEW ! L10 SD ,BOB4 8,I
TELL Y ?1 ,I'M F$ UP ) !M BLOOM+ PAP]S4
,I'LL N"E BUY "O AG40
  8,YES Y W10 SD ,JOAN4 8,Y'LL BUY X =!
SPORTS &! CROSS^W1 & !N Y'LL J SEE :AT'S
HAPP5$ 9 ! NEWS1 & Y'LL 2LIEVE X J Z M*
Z Y "E DID40
  8,I WON'T10 ,BOB SD1 B HE DIDN'T WANT
6>GUE4
  ,9 ! CORN]1 ,ROG] 0 BUSY /IT*+ A LL
%OE4 ,HE H>DLY "E NIB#D ! L1!R ANYMORE1
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R.D40
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  8,ROG]1 LOVE10 SD ,JOAN1 8-E "H A M9-
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  8,:AT'S X G 6%[80 SD ,BOB4
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  8,X'D 2 EASI]10 SD ,ROG]4 8,Y H LESS
TR\# 2+ A RAT1 EXCEPT = 2+ /]M9AT$4 ,I
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N S H>D IF !Y ?9K Y .>E A P]SON4 ,IF !Y
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6?9K :AT WD H HAPP5$40
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