Doogie Stone Sample 9-21-10

8/8/2019 Doogie Stone Sample 9-21-10

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THE ADVENTURES OF DOOGIE STONE Robert H. Cherny

THE ADVENTURES OF

DOOGIE STONE

BY

ROBERT CHERNY

A Club Lighthouse Publishing E-Book

ISBN 978-1-926839-09-7

All ights ese!e"

Co#$ight 2010 %obet Chen$

Co!e At& '(L( )*!ison

'his book +*$ not be e#o"u,e" in hole o in #*t ithout itten #e+ission(

'his book is * ok o. .i,tion( An$ ese+bl*n,e to *,tu*l #esons li!ing o "e*" is #uel$ ,o-in,i"ent*l(

/o in.o+*tion ,ont*,t&

,o++ents,lublighthouse#ublishing(,o+

A Club Lighthouse Fantasy Edition

1
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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CHAPTER ONE

MAS'E% )IE S'NE ELPE) IN PAIN( 'he *o he h*" inten"e" tosen" .l$ing *t the t*get *,oss the ,out$*" sli" *long the ,o" o. his bo *n" hutle""on*"( 'he *o4s blunt #*,ti,e ti# st*bbe" hi+ in the .oot( St*tle" b$ the ,$5 to

el"el$ o+en looke" u# .o+ thei knitting *n" no""e" s$+#*theti,*ll$ *t hi+(

'he *,he$ instu,to5 Lieuten*nt Bent Cobett5 h*" long *go lost #*tien,e ith his

Liege4s thi" *n" $oungest son( Lieuten*nt Cobett took his ob seiousl$ knoing th*tso+e "*$ his .ien"4s li.e +ight "e#en" on his instu,tion( 'he Lieuten*nt 5 onl$ slightl$

ol"e th*n his stu"ent5 .ie" hi+ ith * g*e th*t s*i" +oe th*n o"s( ith *ll the ,*l+

he ,oul" +uste he s*i"5 :'he $oung si +ust hol" the *o .i+ ith the ight h*n" *n"

gui"e it ith the le.t so it .lies s+oothl$ to the t*get(;

'he othe hu+*ns *oun" the ,out$*" kne enough to hi"e thei *+use+ent *t the$oung +*n4s *nguish5 but Clou"5 )oogie4s #et ,o5 h*" no su,h inhibitions( 'he bl*,k

bi" +*"e lou" l*ughing noises *n" .l*##e" his ings hile he "i" * little "*n,e on his

#e,h(

:Shut u#5 $ou stu#i" bi"e #ointe" the *o *t the bi"(

Lieuten*nt Cobett eke" the bo out o. the bo$4s h*n"s( :)o N' *i+ *t so+ething

$ou "o not inten" to shoote gl*e" *t the bo$ *t e$e le!el( E!en though +ost o. the#eo#le in the se!i,e o. the bo$4s .*the5 the Noble Lo" %oeling Stone5 thought o. hi+ *s

* ,hil"5 eighteen $e* ol" )oogie h*" gon *s t*ll *s +ost o. the +en in his .*the4s gu*"

*n" h*" bo*"e shoul"es th*n e!en the stongest *+ong the+(

'he bi" ho##e" *oun" une*sil$ *n" s=u*ke" *g*in(

)oogie looke" *t the bi" *n" s*i"5 :I4ll get $ou net ti+e


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'he hu+*ns in the ,out$*" ee silent( Clou" +*"e s+*ll unsettle" noises *s he shi.te"

.o+ one .oot to the othe on his #e,h ith his ings hel" tightl$ to his si"es(

:It4s like +*gi,e tiste" his he*" *oun"

to look )oogie in the e$e( )oogie #ulle" * .e g*ins o. ,on out o. his #o,ket *n" #*l+e"

the+ so Clou" ,oul" e*t the+( Clou" .le b*,k to his #e,h l*ughing in his st*nge ,ol*ugh(

Lo" Stone +otione" .o his ,*#t*in o. the gu*"( 'he ,*#t*in h*" been *t,hing the

lessons ith inteest( >e h*" been ,on,ene" *bout the Lieuten*nt 4s *bilities *s *n

instu,to( >is skills *s *n *,he ee ell "o,u+ente"5 but )oogie *s his .ist stu"ent(

:C*#t*in?;

3


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:es5 @ilo"?;

:>*s $ou o#inion ,h*nge"?;

:No5 @ilo"5 ith *ll "ue es#e,t si5 I "is*gee th*t $ou son is e*"$ .o this +ission(;

:E!en ith Lieuten*nt Cobett *s his es,ot?;

:I h*!e ,o+#lete ,on.i"en,e in Lieuten*nt Cobett5 si( I *gee th*t he is the best

,hoi,e to *,,o+#*n$ $ou son shoul" $ou "e,i"e to sen" hi+ on this +ission( Si5 +$

,on,en is .o $ou son( >e h*s the bo"$ o. * +*n *n" the stength o. to5 but he thinkslike * ,hil"( 'hese lessons *e * g*+e to hi+( >e is *n e,ellent *,he hen he ,*es to

be( >e is * skille" so"s+*n *n" ,*n hol" his on *g*inst so+e o. +$ best5 but to hi+ it

is s#ot5 not ,o+b*t( h*t ill he "o hen he .*,es * e*l o##onent ho seeks to kill hi+?

>e h*s the stength in his *+ to kill * +*n ith * single *o( I *+ not ,on,ene" .o his*bilit$( It is his "esie th*t oies +e(;

:>e ill #ob*bl$ "o *s e "i"( *s it so long *go th*t $ou h*!e .ogotten ou

b*ttles?;

:No si5 but it *s "i..eent .o us(;

:Peh*#s not *s "i..eent *s e +ight ho#e(;

A ,ouie h*n"e" Lo" Stone * +ess*ge( >e e*" it *n" h*n"e" it to the ,*#t*in(

:Si5 +*$ suggest Lieuten*nt Cobett t*ke * "et*il *n" es,ot the+?;

:@$ son shoul" go ith the+5; Lo" Stone e#lie" ith * gin(

'he ,*#t*in s+ile"( :I sh*ll begin #e#**tions( B$ $ou le*!e5 Sie(;

:C*#t*in5 *llo +e to tell the Lieuten*nt(;

:Cet*inl$5 si(;

:Lieuten*nt Cobett5 the sign*l I **ite" h*s *i!e" l*te th*n I h*" ho#e"( u guests

ill *i!e to"*$5 but not be.oe "*k( Ple*se +ount * #*t$ o. * "oen *+e" +en in thei

.inest #**"e li!e$( %i"e out the est o*" to +eet the+( Es,ot the+ b*,k hee(;

:As $ou ish5 +$ liege5; the Lieuten*nt e#lie"(

:)ougl*s5 ill go ith $ou( >e ill le*" the #*t$ *n" ,*$ +$ ,olos(;

Lieuten*nt Cobett silentl$ *ise" *n e$ebo(

'he Noble Lo" gentl$ este" his h*n" on the $oung +*n4s shoul"e( :'ust +e5 +$

.ien"( >*!e I e!e le" $ou *st*$?;


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:No5 +$ liege(;

'uning to his son5 Lo" Stone s*i"5 :)ougl*s5 be.oe $ou le*!e $ou +ust b*the *n"

h*!e the o+en tie $ou h*i b*,k ith * ibbon( isit the ,he+ist .o *n *##o#i*tes,ent( ou shoul" look *n" s+ell like the son o. * noble+*n $ou *e *n" not like * st*ble

bo$(;

:es5 .*the(;

:Son5;

:es5 .*the?;

:St*n" u# st*ight( )on4t slou,h in the s*""le(;

:es5 .*the5 *s $ou ish5 .*the(;

:No


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:Is the $oung +*ste to es,ot the $oung l*"$ then?; 'he .*ie *ske" hi+ ith *

tinkle in his e$e(

:@$ .*the "i" not tell +e ho I oul" be +eeting5; )oogie *nsee"(

'he ol" +*n4s s+ile lit his entie .*,e e!e*ling se!e*l +issing teeth( >e ,hu,kle" *she s*i"5 :'he $oung +*ste is in .o * #le*s*nt su#ise( %i"e ell *n" #ou" goo" si


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#ossible the*ts( n #e!ious +issions5 Clou" h*" *ne" the+ o. "*nge +oe th*n on,e

*n"5 in s#ite o. the su#estitions eg*"ing ,os5 the +en ee gene*ll$ h*##$ to see this#*ti,ul* ,o *,,o+#*n$ the+( As the hoses "*nk gee"il$5 Lieuten*nt Cobett

*n"ee" o!e to )oogie *n" s*i"5 :Si5 $ou .*the ishe" +e to e+in" $ou to be on $ou

best beh*!iou *n" to +in" $ou +*nnes in the #esen,e o. ou guests(;

:Aen4t I *l*$s hen e h*!e guests?; )oogie etote"(

Su""enl$ Lieuten*nt Cobett sti..ene"5 *n" )oogie kne it h*" nothing to "o ith thei

,on!es*tion(

:h*t4s ong5 Lieuten*nt ?; )oogie *ske" ti+i"l$(

:I "on4t kno( 'ouble ne*b$(; >e ,lose" his e$es to ,on,ent*te( )oogie h*" i""en

ith hi+ o.ten enough to kno th*t his :.eelings; "ese!e" ,*e.ul *ttention( In s#ite o.Lieuten*nt Cobett4s $outh5 othe +e+bes o. Lo" Stone4s gu*" h*" *lso e,ognie" this

*bilit$ *n" o.ten e=ueste" th*t he *,,o+#*n$ the+ on #*tol( A.te * long #*use heo#ene" his e$es( :@*ste )ougl*s5 ,oul" $ou sen" $ou bi" u# in th*t "ie,tion to s,out.o us?; >e #ointe" *t *n *ngle **$ .o+ the #*th the$ h*" inten"e" to t*ke *long the

i!e(

:Clou"5 *e $ou e*"$ .o * little *ei*l e,on?; )oogie *ske"(

Clou" looke" *t hi+ *sk*n,e *s i. to s*$5 :. ,ouse I4+ e*"$ .o *ei*l e,on( I4+ *

,o $ou stu#i" hu+*n(; All o. hi,h )oogie un"estoo"(

:o in th*t "ie,tion *n" e#ot b*,k h*t $ou .in"(;

Clou" ho##e" into the *i *n" he*"e" in the "ie,tion Lieuten*nt Cobett h*" #ointe"(

:@N' P


8/33


both ,*$ the .l*g *n" "* his so" hile still st*$ing on the hose5 )oogie le" the

,h*ge un*+e"(

/*intl$ in the "ist*n,e the$ he*" * hon o!e the soun" o. thei hose4s hoo!es be*tinginto the so.t goun"( It *s * "istess ,*ll(

:Blo the ,olos *g*inis Lo"shi# %oeling Stone *t $ou se!i,e5 si


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)oogie no""e"( :e +ust not u#set the l*"ies *n$ +oe th*n the$ *le*"$ *e(;

'uning to the ,o ho h*" ust lighte" on his *+ he s*i"5 :Clou"< %e,on .o the+(;Clou" no""e" on,e *n" took o.. in the "ie,tion o. the .leeing b*n"(

ith * see# o. his *+5 C*#t*in @*guie o"ee" the ,o+bine" .o,e into *,tion(

'he$ o"e o.. in #usuit(

In his best *tte+#t to *##e* like * gentle+*n inste*" o. * ,ount$ bu+#kin5 )oogie

o"e to the ,*i*ge to into"u,e hi+sel.5 st*ightening his ,o*t *s he o"e( >e s*t t*ll in the

s*""le *s he *##o*,he" ith his hose ,*e.ull$ un"e ,ontol( >is #**"e hel+et hi" hisunul$ h*i( 'he ,ut*in o#ene"( A $oung l*"$ ith stunning e$es #eee" out *n"

,h*llenge" hi+( :Ae $ou the et,h I *+ being .o,e" to +*$?; She s#*t the o"s(

>e !oi,e h*" the h*shness o. s*n"(

C*ught b$ su#ise5 )oogie4s ne!ousness e!*#o*te" *n" he l*ughe"( :I ,et*inl$ ho#enote eg*ine" his #o#e #ostue in the s*""le( :@$ ge*t g*n".*the "e,ee"

th*t in *n$ teito$ go!ene" b$ the .*+il$ Stone5 no o+*n sh*ll be .o,e" to +*$ *n$

+*n she "oes not ish to +*$(; >e #*use" to see th*t he h*" he *ttention( :/uthe toth*t5 no +*n +*$ *sk .o * o+*n4s h*n" in +*i*ge( She +ust *sk hi+( 'he +*n +*$

,out ho+e!e he #le*ses *n" +*ke his "esies knon5 but she *sks .o his h*n" *n" she

+ust "o it in .ont o. to in"e#en"ent itnesses(;

:>o bi*e< ou ,o+e .o+ * st*nge #l*,e(;

:Peh*#s( So thee< But $ou kno onl$ h*l. o. h$ I l*ughe" *t $ou( /ist5 sin,e I *+

* Stone5 $ou ,*n not be .o,e" to +*$ *n$ one $ou "o not ish to +*$ hile $ou *e in

+$ ,o+#*n$ *n" se,on"5 I *+ ,et*inl$ not * et,h5 no * kn*!e th*nk $ou !e$ +u,h


10/33


:A et,h oul" not h*!e noti,e" $ou e$es5 #e.eing to let his e$es "i.t elsehee(

I5 hoe!e5 h*!e noti,e" onl$ $ou e$es *n" h*!e been +es+eie" b$ the+( ee it not.o the ,*e ith hi,h +$ +othe *ise" +e5 I oul" h*!e .*llen .o $ou *s soon *s I s*

$ou .*,e( ith those be*uti.ul long e$el*shes $ou ,oul" hi# *n$ +*n $ou ishe" into

sub+ission(;

:It is but * +*sk(; >e e#ession so.tene"( :I ,*ll the+ ult* l*shes be,*use the$ "ook like hi#s *n" hel# +e get +$ *$ ith .oolish $oung +en su,h *s $ousel.(;

:@il*"$5 e h*!e .*ile" to into"u,e ousel!es( I *+ )ougl*s Stone5 $oungest son o.the Noble Lo" %oeling Stone(;

:I *+ A+be5 el"est "*ughte o. his Lo"shi# is,ount %$*n 'ho!*l"(;

:It is +$ honou to +eet $ou noble l*"$(; >e gl*n,e" insi"e the ,o*,h( :ou l*"$4s+*i" h*s been +ight$ =uiet in thee( I. ou #ositions h*" been e!ese"5 +$ +*i"s oul"

h*!e gi!en $ou * #ie,e o. thei +in"s b$ no(;

A+be tune" to look *t he +*i"( :She #*sse" out .o+ .e* hen e ee

suoun"e"( She h*s not e,o!ee"(; A+be sto##e"5 *bout to s*$ so+ething5 hen *thought *.te" *,oss he .*,e( :ou +*i"s? )o $ou not h*!e +*n se!*nts?;

)oogie "i" not get the ,h*n,e to *nse the =uestion( A "oen o. the +**u"es hoh*" #e!iousl$ been ebu..e" bust out o. the oo"s( 'he$ h*" s#lit o.. .o+ the +*in

#*t$ *n" h*" loo#e" b*,k to the ,on!o$( )oogie *s outnu+bee"( >e h*" .ou +en o.

the ,on!o$ es,ot ho h*" e+*ine" behin"5 *n un*+e" "i!e in e*,h *gon *n" hi+sel.to .en" o.. * "oen ell *+e" high*$+en(

'he Noble Lo" %oeling Stone h*" i+#esse" on his sons the i+#ot*n,e o. seeking

the highe goun"( 'he highest #oint in his i++e"i*te !i,init$ *s the to# o. the ,*i*ge

th*t the o+en o"e in( ithout * se,on" thought5 )oogie hi##e" his bo *n" *os

.o+ thei s*""le st*#s( >e +*"e sue his so" *s se,uel$ in its she*th *n" using the

.l*g #ole *s * st*..5 !*ulte" to the to# o. the ,*i*ge( )oogie4s #ulse =ui,kene" *n" his

be*th ste*"ie" *s he #e#*e" hi+sel. .o b*ttle( >e .elt his *nge sell( >e un"estoo"

this *nge *n" el,o+e" it( >e h*" .ought *i"es *longsi"e his .*the4s gu*" be.oe5 butno he *s *lone to "e.en" hi+sel. *n" the ,on!o$ *g*inst * l*ge .o,e( >e .elt his

eneg$ .o,us on the *"!*n,ing +**u"es( >e no,ke" *n *o *n" #ulle" b*,k on his bo

*s h*" *s he ,oul"( 'he tension in his shoul"e .elt goo"5 stong5 e*ssuing( 'hee *s,o+.ot in the .*+ili*it$ o. the tension(

/o * .leeting +o+ent )oogie *##e,i*te" the hous o. #*,ti,e *n" ee,ise he h*"been .o,e" to en"ue( >e #*tientl$ *ite" .o the .ist +o!ing t*get to ,o+e in *nge

( 'hese ee not +en to hi+( In his +in" the$ ee t*gets little "i..eent .o+ the

ones he #*,ti,e" on in the ,out$*" e,e#t th*t the$ +o!e"( >e loose" his .ist *o(

>is *i+ *s tue *n" the *o4s .light *s si.t( >is stength g*!e the *o * #oe .eo. his .*the4s gu*" ,oul" +*t,h( >*" he been .ighting #o#el$ e=ui##e" *ios his

10


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*o oul" h*!e hit le*the *+ou on the +*n4s ,hest *n" boun,e" o..( As it *s the

*o #enet*te" beteen to o. the big*n"4s ibs *n" #otu"e" out his b*,k #un,tuing *lung( Bloo" *n .eel$ .o+ both the ent$ *n" eit oun"s *s the +*n .ell o.. his hose

s,e*+ing in #*in ith his e+*ining lung( )oogie "i" not linge to *t,h the +*n"on

in his on bloo"(

'he i"e net to the one )oogie h*" ust shot tune" to look *t his .*llen ,o+*"e(>*" he not "one so5 )oogie4s se,on" *o oul" h*!e s*ile" h*+lessl$ o!e this t*get4s

shoul"e( Inste*"5 the *o hit hi+ in the si"e o. his ne,k *n" se!ee" his ugul*( 'oo

stunne" e!en to ,$ out5 the +*n .ell .o+ his hose *s ge$ses o. bloo" s#*$e" o!e hi+

*n" his hose(

)oogie4s thi" *o +isse" its t*get *s the hose se!e" une#e,te"l$(

)oogie shi.te" his g*e *n" .o,use" his *ttention on the ,losest i"e( 'he ,olu+n o.+**u"es h*" s#lit *n" *s no ,o+ing .o+ to "ie,tions( >e ,hose * t*get .o+ the

gou# on the le.t( Lieuten*nt Cobett h*" tol" hi+ to *i+ .o the #oint belo the stenu+5but th*t onl$ oke" hen the t*get *s ,o+ing st*ight in( 'his +*n *s ,i,ling

looking .o *n o##otunit$ to ,h*ge in*"5 )oogie +o+ent*il$ shi.te" his *ttention tothe se,on" +*n in the gou# thinking he +ight h*!e * bette shot( 'he .ist +*n5 belie!ing

he s* *n o##otunit$5 tune" to ,h*ge the ,o*,h( )oogie .o,use" his *nge on the +*n4s

stenu+ *n" #l*,e" the *o e*,tl$ hee he kne it shoul" go( 'he +*n .ell .o*"5but "i" not .*ll o.. his hose( >e ,ontinue" boun,ing on the hose *s it .le"( 'he boun,ing

"o!e the *o the est o. the *$ though the +*n4s bo"$ *n" out his b*,k(

)oogie he*" s,e*+s .o+ behin" hi+ *s the .ou e+*ining gu*"s .ought !*li*ntl$ to

.en" o.. the *tt*,kes( >e ho#e" th*t the s,e*+s ee those o. the high*$+en *n" not o.

the gu*"s( )oogie he*" +oe th*n .elt *n *o gl*n,e o.. the +et*l o. his #**"ehel+et( >is +o+ent o. in*ttention h*" *l+ost ,ost his li.e( ithout thinking5 he tune" in

the "ie,tion th*t the *o h*" ,o+e *n" let o.. one o. his on( >is *o stu,k the +*n

in the shoul"e( 'he oun" oul" slo the +*n "on5 but oul" not t*ke hi+ out o. theb*ttle( An *o ,*+e *t )oogie .o+ behin"( >e *s un"e *tt*,k .o+ to si"es( >is

net *o +isse" *s he "u,ke" behin" the lugg*ge ,*ie" on to# o. the ,o*,h( >ol"ing

his bo hoiont*ll$ *s he h*" been shon to "o hen shooting .o+ ,o!e5 )oogie sent*nothe *o *t *nothe t*get( 'his *o .oun" its +*k *n" the .outh +*n )oogie

kille" th*t "*$ .ell .o+ his hose s,e*+ing in #*in(

>e*ing * ,o++otion on the si"e o. the ,*i*ge5 )oogie tune" *oun"( >e looke"

"on to see the +*n he h*" oun"e" in the shoul"e *tte+#t to ,li+b into the ,*i*gein"o onl$ to be st*bbe" in the *+ b$ * "ik hel" in * h*n" e*ing * hite l*,e glo!e('he "ik l*i" o#en the +us,le .o+ the +*n4s ist to his elbo( 'he bie. #*use *s the

+*n e*,te" to the #*in *s *ll the ti+e )oogie nee"e" to "* his so"( Singing the

so" in * ,*e.ull$ *i+e" *,5 )oogie se!ee" the +*n4s uninue" *+ *t the elbo()oogie4s etun sing o#ene" * i"e g*sh in the +*n4s ne,k ,*using hi+ to .*ll to the

goun" *s "e*th o!etook hi+( 'h*t oul" be .i!e5 *lthough )oogie oul" not think *bout

the ,ount until l*te(

11


12/33


)oogie s* * bl*,k sh*"o #*ss o!ehe*" *n" tune" in ti+e to see * high*$+*n

,li+bing u# the b*,k o. the ,*i*ge ith his so" "*n *n" * "*gge in his +outh( iththe ,o e=ui!*lent o. * * ,$5 looking .o *ll the ol" like *n e*gle *bout to soo# u#

* .ish5 Clou" ,olli"e" ith the b*,k o. the +*n4s he*" "igging his ,l*s "ee#l$ into the

b*,k o. the +*n4s s,*l#( As +u,h to ste*"$ hi+sel. *s to .uthe the *tt*,k5 Clou" "ug hissh*# #ointe" be*k into the +*n4s .oehe*"( )oogie g*s#e" his so" .i+l$ ith both

h*n"s5 #ulle" his so" b*,k o!e his ight shoul"e *n" set his .eet *t shoul"e i"th ith

his le.t si"e .*,ing the stuggling high*$+*n( hen the +*n stoo" to t$ *n" "islo"ge the*ng$ bi"5 )oogie sung his so" ith *ll his +ight *n" e+o!e" the +*n4s he*"(

)oogie4s sith kill o. the "*$ .ell to the goun" in to #ie,es(

Clou" s,ee,he" *ngil$ *s he ,l*e" .o *ltitu"e "e,l*ing th*t )oogie nee" not h*!e

bothee"( Clou" h*" +*ttes un"e ,ontol( )oogie l*ughe" *n" then tune" to su!e$ the

su""enl$ =uiet b*ttle s,ene( 'en +**u"es l*$ "e*" o "$ing on the goun"( 'o +oeee .leeing *s .*st *s the$ ,oul" i"e( All .ou o. the gu*"s h*" been inue"5 but none

seiousl$( 'he "i!es h*" hi""en tei.ie" un"e thei se*ts *n" h*" es,*#e" inu$(

)oogie gingel$ ,li+be" "on o.. the ,*i*ge( 'he ,*i*ge "oo o#ene" *n" A+be

ste##e" out( >e *+ *s ,o!ee" in bloo"( She gi##e" he "ik .i+l$ *n" +en*,ingl$(

>e +*i" .olloe" titteing like * .ightene" bi"(

)oogie5 ith bloo" s#*ttee" on his #**"e li!e$5 boe" to the l*"ies *n" *ske"5 :Is@il*"$ inue"?;

:No5; she hu..e"5 :but the$ *e(; She #ointe" to the gu*"s(

'he$ tune" thei *ttention to the .ou gu*"s ho ee ,le*ning thei oun"s ith

*te .o+ thei "inking .l*sks( None o. the oun"s ee seious5 but the$ oul" nee"+e"i,*l *ttention( 'o oul" h*!e i+#essi!e b*ttle s,*s *s e!i"en,e o. thei b*!e$(

Clou" he*l"e" the etun o. the +*in #*t$ *n" then he*"e" o.. in *u,ous #usuit o.

the .leeing high*$+en(

Lieuten*nt Cobett "is+ounte" *t the e"ge o. the ,le*ing( >e stoo#e" to e*+ine the

*os lo"ge" in the bo"ies *n" e,ognie" the Stone .*+il$ ,olos( 'hee *s onl$ one*,he ho ,oul" h*!e use" those *os( Lieuten*nt Cobett h*" o.ten on"ee" i.

)oogie oul" t*ke *.te his .*the o .oe!e e+*in the $oung bo$ ho oul" be o. little

hel# in "e.en"ing the hol"ings( 'he #*tols in #usuit o. +**u"es h*" been * g*+e tohi+( hile the Lieuten*nt h*" ho#e" he kne the *nse5 this *s the .ist ti+e he e*ll$

belie!e" it( C*#t*in @*guie "is+ounte" ne* his +en ho h*" st*$e" to "e.en" the

*gons(

:I see $ou gentle+en h*!e been bus$ in ou *bsen,e(; 'he ,*#t*in *""esse" his .ou

gu*"s( :ou e#ot5 #le*se(;

:es5 si5; the s=u*" le*"e *nsee" #ointing out the bo"ies on the goun"( :'h*t oneis +ine( 'h*t one is Bi*n4s( 'h*t one is Fi+4s( 'h*t one is )*n4s(; >e #*use"(

12


13/33


:An" the est?; C*#t*in @*guie *ske"(

'he s=u*" le*"e s*lloe"( :'he ki"5; he took * "ee# be*th be.oe .inishing( :But

the l*"$ got one in the *+ *n" the ki" .inishe" hi+ o..(;

C*#t*in @*guie looke" *t the s=u*" le*"e in "isbelie. e!en *s Lieuten*nt Cobett"is#l*$e" the bloo"$ *os th*t #o!e" h*t he *l+ost "i" not belie!e hi+sel.(

:Sege*nt5 *e $ou telling +e th*t * bo$ kille"5 .ou5 .i!e5 si +en?;

:es5 si5 I oul" not h*!e belie!e" it i. I h*" not seen it ith +$ on e$es si( Fust *s

,*l+ *s $ou #le*se5 si( )i"n4t e!en get his ,lothes "it$ until the l*st one5 si( See the one

ith his he*" o!e thee *t the b*se o. the tee *n" his bo"$ o!e hee? 'h*t one si(;

Lieuten*nt Cobett tune" to )oogie *n" *ske"5 :Is this tue?;

)oogie looke" *t the goun" *n" shu..le" his .eet( :es5 si5 it is5 si(; >e #*use"(

:Si5 shoul" e go *.te the to th*t got **$?;

Lieuten*nt Cobett g*#e" in *+*e+ent( 'he bo$4s bloo" *s *s ,ol" *s his .*the4s('he bo$ oul" gi!e ,h*se( :Pob*bl$ not ise to .ollo the+ though * .oest th*t the$

kno bette th*n e "o( Let the+ s#e*" the o" h*t * .ie,e .ighte the thi" Stone son

is( A.te to"*$5 o" ill s#e*" to not ,h*llenge the Stone .*+il$ .l*g(;

:>*" not +$ .*the *n" g*n".*the *le*"$ est*blishe" th*t?; )oogie *ske" ne!ousl$(

Lieuten*nt Cobett shook his he*"5 :Nothing like this( C*#t*in5 oul" $ou *gee?;

C*#t*in B*$ @*guie h*" been +ent*ll$ t$ing to #ie,e togethe the se=uen,e o.

b*ttle( :I +ight h*!e e#e,te" su,h .o+ one o. +$ legen"*$ een Beets5 but * singlebo$5 ne!e( I sh*ll be so$ hen I le*!e the s*.et$ o. $ou ,o+#*n$5 $oung si( I ho#e th*tshoul" e e!e sh*e * .iel" o. b*ttle e *e on the s*+e si"e(;

)oogie looke" u# *n" s*i"5 :I think e h*!e o!elooke" A+be4s #*t( >*" she not

st*bbe" the +*n ,li+bing the ,*i*ge "oo5 he oul" h*!e gotten +e .o+ behin"(;

C*#t*in @*guie no""e" to A+be *n" s*i"5 :So note"( I ill in,lu"e th*t in +$ e#ot

*s shoul" $ou5 @*ste )ougl*s(;

:%e#ot?; )oogie shieke"(

Lieuten*nt Cobett ,hu,kle"( :ou .*the ill *nt * .ull itten e#ot(;

:ou ,*n4t be seious


14/33


:+5 entle+en5; A+be inteu#te"( :It +ight not be *"!*nt*geous .o +$ #usuit o.

* husb*n" .o it to be knon th*t I st*b st*nge +en in the *+( e shoul" tell Lo" Stone*n" +$ .*the5 but I "o not think it shoul" go *n$ .uthe(;

:As $ou ish5 @il*"$(;

Lieuten*nt Cobett tune" to C*#t*in @*guie( :e shoul" get $ou +en to the

"o,tos( 'o o. +$ +en ,*n es,ot the+ to the ,*stle *n" in.o+ Lo" Stone th*t e ill

be l*te .o "inne(;

:Absolutel$5; C*#t*in @*guie *gee"(

Lieuten*nt Cobett tune" to )oogie *n" s*i"5 :ith $ou #e+ission5 si(;

)oogie hu..e"5 :As *l*$s5 I .ollo $ou ,o++*n"(;

Lieuten*nt Cobett looke" )oogie in the e$e( :No5 si5 not *n$+oe( A.te to"*$5 I.ollo $ou ,o++*n" *s illingl$ *s I .olloe" $ou .*the4s(;

'e+bling5 )oogie took * "ee# be*th( :Lieuten*nt Cobett5 $ou #l*n is goo"(; >e

"e * se,on" "ee# be*th5 une*s$ ith ,o++*n"( :@*ke it so(;

Lieuten*nt Cobett boe" slightl$ *t the *ist *n" s*i"5 :B$ $ou le*!e5 si(;

:C*#t*in @*guie5 oul" $ou *ssist Lieuten*nt Cobett?;

'he C*#t*in s+ile" *n" s*i"5 :Cet*inl$5 si5 b$ $ou le*!e5 si(;

'he o..i,es *n" thei +en le.t to sen" the +essenge #*t$ o..( )oogie5 A+be *n" he+*i" ee le.t st*n"ing b$ the ,*i*ge "oo( 'he +*i" *s still titteing *n" ,$ing(

A+be looke" *t )oogie *n" "e+*n"e"5 :h*t *s th*t *ll *bout? All th*t @*nl$

@*n nonsense?;

:I think the$ ee i+#esse"5; he s*i" so.tl$ still not belie!ing the e!i"en,e o. his e$es

*n" the *,he o. his +us,les(

:'he$ .e*kin4 ell bette be i+#esse"


15/33


)oogie *s losing his te+#e( >e kne he *s he*ing the e+n*nts o. the teo th*t

still gi##e" the l*"$ *n" he +*i"5 but he *s in no +oo" to "e*l ith it( >e *s h*!ing ison *ngst *n" "i" not nee" to be "e*ling ith hes( >e set his * *n" *s le!ell$ *s he

,oul" +*n*ge5 he ,o++*n"e"5 :ou h*!e e!e$ ight to +*ke *ll the ,o++ents $ou *nt

hee no one ,*n he* the+( I h*!e * ight to not listen< et b*,k in the ,*i*gee the o#en the ,*i*ge "oo ith his .ee h*n"*n" ste##e" insi"e( >e the he onto the se*t( >e ste##e" b*,k5 #i,ke" u# the tei.ie"

+*i" *n" "e#osite" he insi"e the ,*i*ge so+eh*t +oe gentl$ th*n he h*" he +istess(>e sl*++e" the "oo shut *n" lo,ke" it .o+ the outsi"e(

Clou" *##e*e" out o. nohee *n" l*n"e" on )oogie4s *+( )oogie tune" to see theto o..i,es ,hu,kling *s the$ looke" *t hi+(

:h*t4s so .unn$?; )oogie "e+*n"e" in ob!ious *nge(

C*#t*in @*guie *ise" his e$ebos( :Lo!es4 =u*el?;

:'h*t4s not .unn$


16/33


Lieuten*nt Cobett *""esse" )oogie5 :'hee *e ,e*tues o. the .oest .o ho+ these

,*,*sses ,oul" +e*n the "i..een,e beteen su!i!ing the inte o not( Peh*#s Clou"oul" be illing to noti.$ his .ien"s o. the bount$(;

)oogie looke" *t Clou"( Clou" boun,e" on,e to in"i,*te he un"estoo"( :i!e us

so+e ti+e to be ,le* be.oe $ou ,*ll in the ,le*n u# s=u*"(;

Clou" boun,e" on,e to sho he un"estoo" *n" .le o.. to .in" the t*sh ,olle,tos(

)oogie sto##e" to ,*l+ A+be *n" +*ke *+en"s .o h*!ing +*nh*n"le" he( She

oul" h*!e none o. it( )oogie took the le*" ith the .l*g *s the sh*"os lengthene" *n"

night *##o*,he"(

16


17/33


CHAPTER TWO

T>E LEN'>ENIN S>A)S AN) A'>E%IN )A%DNESS +*"e i"ing"i..i,ult( Pogess ith the ,*i*ge *n" the *gons *s +u,h sloe th*n * +ounte",olu+n oul" h*!e been( A .*ke "etou sign h*" been #oste" *ning o. * *she" out

bi"ge( C*#t*in @*guie h*" .olloe" the "etou signs hi,h "i!ete" the ,on!o$ the t*#(

Lieuten*nt Cobett5 C*#t*in @*guie *n" )oogie "eb*te" *s to ho +ight h*!e #l*,e" th*tsign *n" hethe the$ ee the sole inten"e" t*get( >igh*$+en ee notoious .o th*t

sot o. "i!esion5 but the =uestion e+*ine" hethe the *tt*,k h*" been inten"e" .o the+

o +eel$ .o hoe!e *s unlu,k$ enough to h*##en to *n"e into it( %eg*"less o. hoset the t*#5 the ,on!o$ *s no on the ong o*" *n" "oubling b*,k *s not *n o#tion(

'o get b*,k to the ight o*"5 the$ h*" to ,oss .iel"s *n" +e*"os hee thee ee no

o*"s5 .uthe sloing thei #ogess(

B$ the ti+e the$ e*,he" the ight o*"5 "*kness h*" .*llen *n" the$ in,he" thei *$

*long *s the hoses gingel$ teste" thei .ooting ith e*,h ste#( hen the +oon ose5 it*s onl$ * tin$ sli!e in the sk$ *n" the st*s ee o. little hel#( Const*ntl$ *let .o

*nothe *+bush5 .l*nkes ,he,ke" the .oest to eithe si"e *s the$ +*"e thei *$ to the

,*stle( A.te thee +oe hous o. *lking the$ *i!e" *t the ,*stle g*te(

P*n"e+oniu+ boke out *s soon *s the$ hit the g*te( 'he +othe o. one o. the gu*"s

ho h*" es,ote" the oun"e" +en to the ,*stle *s one o. )oogie4s +*i"s( 'he $oung+*n h*" ushe" to tell his +othe *n" the est o. )oogie4s +*i"s ho !*li*nt the $oung

+*ste h*" been in b*ttle( 'he$ ,lustee" insi"e the g*te *n" .usse" o!e hi+ *s he o"e

to*" the ,ente ,out$*"( >e *,knole"ge" the+ *n" tol" the+ to *it in his =u*tes5be,*use he oul" be *long shotl$( 'he$5 o. ,ouse5 #olitel$ ignoe" hi+ *n" ,ontinue" to

.uss o!e hi+(

'he steets ee line" ith ubil*nt !ill*ges +*king the #*ss*ge .ust*tingl$ slo(

)oogie le*" the #o,ession into the ,out$*" hee * .e hous *go he h*" been

#*,ti,ing *,he$ un"e Lieuten*nt Cobett4s tutel*ge( 'he C*#t*in o. Lo" Stone4s gu*"+et the+ *n" ste*"ie" )oogie4s hose *s he "is+ounte"(

:@*ste )ougl*s5 $ou .*the **its in the ge*t oo+(;

:Is he *ng$?; )oogie *ske" ne!ousl$(

'he C*#t*in4s tone *s gentle( :No5 @*ste )ougl*s5 he is ,on,ene"( >e +*$ be the+ost billi*nt *lo" o. ou *ge5 but he is $ou .*the( ou *e to bing the l*"$5 he +*i"

*n" $ou +*i"s(;

:@$ +*i"s?;

17


18/33


:>e "i" not e#l*in his o"es( ;'he ,*#t*in #ulle" the .l*g .o+ its +ount *n" s*i"5

:ou ill nee" this(;

:I h*!e sullie" it(;

:An ene+$4s bloo" on the .l*g .o+ * !*li*ntl$ .ought b*ttle is *n honou( )o not be*.*i"5 $oung si(;

:'h*nk $ou5 C*#t*in(;

:ou .*the is not * #*tient +*n(;

)oogie l*ughe" *n" *,e" b*,k to the ,*i*ge ith his +*i"s .loing behin" hi+( >e

o#ene" the ,*i*ge "oo *n" o..ee" his h*n" so th*t @iss A+be ,oul" "es,en"( Shee.use" his h*n" t*king C*#t*in @*guie4s inste*"( She gl*e" *t hi+ *s she "es,en"e" the

ste#s(

)oogie boe" "ee#l$ *n" .o+*ll$ in .ont o. he( :@$ .*the h*s e=ueste" the

honou o. $ou #esen,e in the ge*t oo+(;

:I *+ in no ,on"ition to +eet *n$oneis li.e *s *bout to get ,o+#li,*te"(

)oogie took * "ee# be*th( :@$ .*the **its *ll o. us in the ge*t oo+(;

:All o. us?; the +*i"s ,house"(

18


19/33


:All o. us( Sh*ll e go?;

:e sh*ll ,o+e illingl$(; ne o. the $ounge +*i"s his#ee" to the othe *n" the$

giggle"( A+be gl*e" *t the+ be,*use she got the oke( )oogie #eten"e" he "i" not he*it(

'o gu*"s o#ene" the big "oos into the ge*t oo+( A thi" *nnoun,e" the+ *s the$

entee"( 'he lo" *n" l*"$ o. the hol"ings s*t in l*ge ,h*is *t the .* en" o. the oo+(

'he$ hel" e*,h othes h*n"s eng*ge" in *n intense ,on!es*tion *s the #*t$ entee"(

)oogie boe" .o+ the *ist *s he h*" been t*ine" to "o on .o+*l o,,*sions( Aloneith his .*the l*te5 thei +*nne oul" be "i..eent( In his best o*toi,*l !oi,e )oogie

*nnoun,e"5 :@ilo" *n" @il*"$5 #le*se *llo +e to into"u,e @iss A+be "*ughte o. his

Lo"shi# is,ount %$*n 'ho!*l"(;

)oogie4s +othe s#oke .ist5 :@iss A+be5 el,o+e to ou ho+e( I un"est*n" $ouh*" * "i..i,ult ti#( Ple*se *,,e#t ou *#ologies *n" un"est*n"ing(; She ste##e" "on

.o+ the #l*t.o+ to t*ke A+be4s h*n" ith ,o+#*ssion(

:'h*nk $ou5 @*4*+(;

'he Noble Lo" *ssesse" the+ +o+ent*il$( :Son5 $ou *e l*te .o "inne(;

:es5 si(; )oogie *s #ule"( 'his *s not the e*,tion he e#e,te"( Being l*te .o"inne *s * .e=uent o,,uen,e(

:I #o+ise" $ou +othe * #*t$ *n" I inten" to kee# th*t #o+ise(; >e no""e" to his

i.e *n" s*i"5 :e h*!e instu,te" th*t L*"$ A+be4s b*gg*ge be ,*ie" to the guest

=u*tes( ou h*!e one hou to be b*,k in the "ining oo+ o ,he. ill be se!ing us bunt"inne( )o I +*ke +$sel. ,le*?;

)oogie4s +othe s#e*" he *+s i"e *n" en,o+#*sse" the o+en( :e shoul" le*!ethe bo$s to t*lk( 'he$ h*!e +u,h to "is,uss(; 'he$ se#t .o+ the oo+ *n" le.t the

.*the *n" son *lone(

'he Noble Lo" ste##e" "on(

:/*the5 I h*!e sullie" the ,olos5; )oogie s*i" ti+i"l$(

:Son5 in the lib*$( e ill t*lk in the lib*$(;

E!e$ ti+e )oogie h*" been e#i+*n"e"5 it h*" been in the lib*$( >oe!e5 the$

h*" *lso s#ent +*n$ long hous thee hile the inte snos +*"e t*!el i+#ossible

"is,ussing +ilit*$ st*teg$5 hunting5 s#ots *n" *ll those things .*thes *n" sons t*lk *bout

hen the$ h*!e ti+e to s#en" togethe(

'he Noble Lo" ,lose" the "oo behin" the+( >e tune" to .*,e his son hol"ing the.l*g ,u+#le" in his h*n"( :oo" o"< ou kille" si +en *n" tune" **$ * +**u"e

19


20/33


*tt*,k *n" *ll $ou ,*n s*$ is $ou sullie" the .l*g< /o the lo!e o. o"5 I *+ h*##$ $ou *e

*li!e< 'he .*,t th*t $ou *e uninue" is *n un"ese!e" blessing( I h*!e ne!e been *s#ou" o. one o. +$ sons *s I *+ o. $ou ight no(; >e g*s#e" his son *oun" the

shoul"es *n" "e hi+ into * hug( 'he st*.. *n" .l*g .ell to the .loo ith * ,l*tte(

A se!*nt entee" ith to steins o. bee( %oeling took one *n" +otione" .o his son

to t*ke the othe( :ou e*ne" it( o e*s$ on it( e "on4t *nt $ou .*lling "on *t"inne(;

)oogie "i" not h*!e the he*t to tell his .*the th*t he *n" his bothes h*" beensne*king bee out o. the ,ell*s .o $e*s *n" he kne e*,tl$ ho +u,h he ,oul" "ink

be.oe he st*te" to st*gge( 'he$ ,linke" gl*sses *n" s*t in the ,h*is the$ .e=uentl$

o,,u#ie" hen the$ t*lke" *bout the things th*t +*ttee"( %oeling #obe" .o the "et*ilso. the en,ounte th*t *.tenoon .o,ing his son to e!ie *n" e*+ine e!e$ se,on" o. the

b*ttle( It *s not enough th*t the $ounge Stone h*" instin,ti!el$ "one h*t he nee"e" to

"o *t the ight ti+e( It *s i+#ot*nt th*t he un"estoo" h$ he "i" h*t he "i" hen he

"i" it( As the el"e Stone e+in"e" his son5 thinking behin" $ou ene+$ oul" get $oukille"( 'hinking *he*" oul" kee# $ou *li!e( %oeling insiste" th*t his son kno the

"i..een,e( )oogie .oun" the "is,ussion *s eh*usting *n" *s ehil**ting *s the b*ttle

itsel.(

:Son5 thee *e u+ous th*t I h*!e lost +$ tou,h( 'h*t is h$ ou ene+ies ee bol"enough to ,o+e th*t ,lose to ou hol"ings( ou ol"est bothe is * gentle+*n .*+e( >e

is no *io( >e is * goo" *n" kin" +*n( >e ill t*ke e,ellent ,*e o. ou .*+s5 ou

*ni+*ls *n" ou #eo#le *s long *s e *e *t #e*,e( As .o $ou +i""le bothe5 the$ "on4t,*ll hi+ /e" 4/lint4 Stone .o nothing( >e "i!es *s h*" * b*g*in *s *n$ +*n I kno(

'h*t is h$ I sent hi+ ith the .ist ,on!o$ o. #o"u,ts to +*ket( >e ill get high #i,es

.o ou goo"s( ntil to"*$5 ou ene+ies thought th*t *s I *ge" e oul" be,o+e e*k *n""e.en,eless( @$ to ol"e sons *e goo" +en5 but not +ilit*$ +en( u *"!es*iesthought o. $ou *s the b*b$ too s#oile" *n" e*k to be * the*t( I h*" ho#e" the$ ee

ong5 but *s e,entl$ *s this +oning4s *,he$ #*,ti,e5 I .e*e" the$ ee ight( 'hose

ho oul" "esto$ h*t e h*!e built no kno ithout * "oubt th*t e h*!e *nothestong Stone in the .*+il$ t*"ition to tho *t the+( It is #oe.ul *n" stengthens +$

#l*ns(;

:Pl*ns5 /*the?;

:I *+ negoti*ting +utu*l "e.en,e *gee+ents ith se!e*l o. ou neighbous( ntil

to"*$5 I *s negoti*ting on the b*sis o. +$ #*st *,,o+#lish+ents( St*ting to+oo eill be negoti*ting on the b*sis o. $ou .utue ones( 'h*t +*kes ou ,*se +u,h stonge(;

:But /*the5 I *+ not the le*"e $ou *e(;

:@*$be not no5 but $ou ill be5 hi,h bings +e to $ou +ission(;

:@ission5 /*the?;

20


21/33


:/e" h*s sent o" to e#e,t the .ist ,on!o$ b*,k .o+ his t*"ing to+oo o the

net "*$( hen the *gons etun e ill .ill the+ *g*in *n" sen" the+ b*,k( ou5Lieuten*nt Cobett *n" * ,o+#*n$ o. +en ill t*ke * ,on!o$ o. goo"s to /e" .o s*le in

%o,k#ot( ou ill seek out the +*$o o. %o,k#ot *n" ,on!e$ ou soli"*it$ ith his

"e.en,e #l*ns(;

:But I "on4t kno h*t the$ *e(;

:B$ the ti+e $ou le*!e $ou ill kno the +ilit*$ st*tus o. e!e$ ,it$ *n" ton south

o. the Nothen %i"ge( e ill s#en" e!e$ e!ening until $ou le*!e hee in the lib*$oking though +$ #l*ns( /o+ thee $ou *n" Lieuten*nt Cobett ill !isit the ,ities

hee I *+ negoti*ting *gee+ents *n" ,o+#lete the negoti*tions( hen $ou h*!e

,o+#lete" the negoti*tions $ou ill etun hee( ou ill be +$ e+iss*$(;

:/*the5 is it ise sen"ing so+eone *s $oung *s +e to negoti*te on $ou beh*l.?;

:I h*!e "eb*te" sen"ing $ou .o * long ti+e( este"*$ I *s *.*i" I *s *bout to+*ke *n eo o. u"g+ent( 'o"*$ e!e$thing h*s ,h*nge"(;

:)oes it +*ke * "i..een,e th*t these *e "e.en,e *gee+ents?;

:All the "i..een,e in the ol"(;

:I un"est*n"(;

:)ougl*s5 one othe thing(;

:es5 /*the?;

:hen $ou etun5 $ou ill bing the o+*n ho ill be,o+e $ou i.e(;

:E,use +e5 si?;

:She +ust be *s stong *s $ou( She +ust h*!e s#iit( *net4s i.e is #egn*nt *g*in*n" the$ tell +e this ti+e it4s tins( %ub$ *n" he husb*n" *i!e" to"*$ ith the nes th*t

the$ *e e#e,ting thei .ist ,hil" this inte( ou +othe is +*king #l*ns to go to thei

hol"ings .o the bith( %ub$ is not the +ost og*nie" #eson e kno *n" $ou +otheinsiste" she be *lloe" to *tten" to the b*b$( %ub$ is +$ "*ughte *n" I lo!e he5 but h$

she +*ie" 'o*"stone is be$on" +e( /e" *n" il+* h*!en4t been +*ie" long5 but I

sus#e,t the e,ite+ent o. being in %o,k#ot ill hel# the+ get st*te"( ou *e the l*st( Itis ti+e $ou +*ie"(;

:/*the5 thee *e on"e.ul $oung l*"ies in ou hol"ings *n$ one o. ho+ oul"+*ke *n e,ellent i.e( h$ "o I nee" to seek in the l*n"s o. st*nges .o h*t I ,oul"

.in" hee?;

21


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:Be,*use th*t oul" be too e*s$( 'hee is not *n un+*ie" o+*n ithin * "*$4s i"e

o. hee th*t oul" not gl*"l$ u+# in $ou be" *n" be,o+e $ou i.e but $ou oul" noth*!e on he( ou oul" not *##e,i*te he no oul" $ou te*t he ith the es#e,t she

"ese!es( ou +ust in he he*t *n" she $ous(;

:es5 /*the(; )oogie4s .*,e s*nk *t the #os#e,t o. * =uest he "i" not ish to

un"et*ke(

:@iss A+be *n" he +*i" ill *,,o+#*n$ $ou on this oune$ be,*use ust *s $ou

+ust .in" * i.e5 she +ust .in" * husb*n"( She is the ol"est o. thee "*ughtes( >e .*theis ill( In his "*$5 he *s * stong le*"e( >is .o,es *llie" ith us in +*n$ b*ttles( 'he$

*e the best t*ine" sol"ies south o. the Nothen %i"ge(;

:Bette th*n ous?;

:h5 $es( ou h*!e no i"e* ho gl*" I *+ e ne!e .*,e" the+ in b*ttle( A+be4s

+othe h*s #*sse" on( She h*s no bothes( She +ust .in" * husb*n" to le*" the "e.en,e o.the hol"ings o the$ ill be o!e un(;

)oogie4s .*,e bet*$e" his "ist*ste .o this *ssign+ent(

:@$ +oti!es .o s*""ling $ou ith this es#onsibilit$ *e not *ll ,h*it*ble( e nee"

ou neighbous to be stong( She +ust .in" * +*n stong enough to *" o.. ,h*llengesbe,*use i. he hol"ings .*ll the$ ill se!e *s * st*ging goun" .o those ho oul" *tt*,k

us( I. he .*the "ies ithout * +*le to un the hol"ings5 his +ilit*$ ill t*ke o!e the

hol"ings in * ,ou# *n" the$ ill "es,en" into ,i!il *( ou +ust hel# he .in" * stong+*n ho ,*n hol" he l*n"s be,*use i. he l*n"s .*ll5 e ill *lso .*ll( I ,*n not stess

enough ho i+#ot*nt it is to Stone >ol"ings th*t $ou hel# he .in" su,h * +*n(;

:I un"est*n"5 /*the(;

:ne +oe thing( /o the "u*tion o. he !isit5 $ou l*"ies ill be *tten"ing to @iss

A+be( Sin,e /e" is out o. ton5 his *tten"*nts ill *ssist $ou( I kno the$ *e not *s

,o+el$ *s the +*i"s $ou *e use" to5 but the$ ill get $ou "esse" on ti+e .o * ,h*nge(;

:es5 /*the(;

:See $ou *t "inne(; >e le.t )oogie *lone in the lib*$(

/e"4s *tten"*nts ee e..i,ient( 'he$ ee not *s gentle *s )oogie4s +*i"s5 but the$got the ob "one( )oogie *s *she"5 s,ubbe"5 "esse" *n" out the "oo in #lent$ o. ti+eto +eet his .*the4s "e*"line .o "inne( hen )oogie *i!e"5 he .oun" his #l*,e h*" been

set to his +othe4s le.t( A+be h*" been se*te" net to his +othe beteen the+( 'o his

le.t s*t the C*#t*in o. the gu*" *n" his i.e( )oogie4s ol"est bothe5 *net *n" his !e$

#egn*nt i.e5 S*##hie5 s*t to his .*the4s ight( Be$on" the+ s*t his siste5 %ub$5 *n" hehusb*n"5 'o*"stone( )oogie *s the l*st to *i!e( Clou" g*,e.ull$ s*ile" to his #e,h

*tt*,he" to the shoul"e o. )oogie4s ,h*i(

22


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Clou" h*" * #e,h *t )oogie4s shoul"e *n" *nothe in the ,one o. the oo+( >e o.ten

ete*te" to the ,one #e,h be,*use it *s too high .o the ,hil"en to e*,h hi+( Clou"h*te" to be #ette" *n" the ,hil"en +*"e * g*+e out o. seeing i. the$ ,oul" stoke his

.e*thes ithout getting ni##e"( )oogie .e" hi+ so+e #ie,es o. ,on *n" Clou" h*##il$

s*ile" o.. to his #l*,e o. honou in the ,one to *t,h the .esti!ities(

)oogie e,ognie" the !ill*ges ho ee se*te" *t the t*bles in .ont o. the+( >is.*the h*" "eli!ee" on his #o+ise o. * #*t$( 'he guests ee "esse" in thei .inest #*t$

out.its *n" +*"e * ,olou.ul sight( 'he un*tt*,he" $oung +en *n" o+en se*te" *t the

long t*bles to eithe si"e o. the oo+ ee es#len"ent( So+e o. the o+en looke" .ine

th*n he h*" e!e seen the+ be.oe( )oogie on"ee" ho +*n$ o+*n,es oul" beginth*t e!ening( n.otun*tel$5 his oul" not be one o. the+ sin,e he h*" been o"ee" to

look elsehee .o * i.e( >e tune" to st*t * #olite ,on!es*tion ith A+be5 but she

ignoe" hi+5 "ee# in ,on!es*tion ith his +othe( >e "i" noti,e th*t she *s no slou,h inthe looks "e#*t+ent(

)inne *s * lou" *n" *u,ous *..*i ith l*ge *+ounts o. bee *n" ine ,onsu+e"(@*n$ s#ee,hes ee +*"e *n" to*sts o..ee"( hen )oogie4s tun ,*+e to +*ke * s#ee,h

he to*ste" his #*ents5 el,o+e" A+be *n" he entou*ge to thei ho+e *n" th*nke"

e!e$one .o ,o+ing to the #*t$ be.oe he *bu#tl$ s*t "on( >e e*lie" he h*" *le*"$h*" too +u,h to "ink *n" the soone he =uit t*lking the bette o.. he oul" be( 'he Noble

Lo" *n" L*"$ took the .ist "*n,e *s *s thei ,usto+( /o e*,h subse=uent "*n,e the$

in!ite" othes to the .loo until e!e$one h*" "*n,e" *t le*st on,e( )oogie "*n,e" ith *llthe eligible $oung l*"ies *s *s the ,usto+ o. the single sons *n" "*ughtes o. the l*n"

hol"es in this #*t o. the ol" be.oe #olitel$ e,using hi+sel. *n" etiing to his oo+

*n" ,oll*#sing in his be"(

23


24/33


CHAPTER THREE

DIE AS %)EL AADENE) b$ the C*#t*in o. the gu*" ho olle" hi+out o. the be" *n" on to the .loo( :E' P5 SL< It is +i" "*$e looke" .o the se!*nts but thee ee none( >e

,le*ne" u# *s best he ,oul" *n" got "esse"( >e h*" +isse" both be*k.*st *n" the +i" "*$

+e*l( ith no i"e* h*t he *s su##ose" to be "oing th*t "*$5 he *n"ee" "on to the,out$*"(

Lieuten*nt Cobett *s se*te" on * ben,h *t,hing A+be line u# *n *o *t the s*+et*get )oogie usu*ll$ use" .o #*,ti,e( ithout noti,ing his *i!*l5 she ele*se" the

*o( It *,e" g*,e.ull$ to the ,ente o. the t*get(

:ell "one5 @il*"$5; Lieuten*nt Cobett s*i" *s he #ushe" hi+sel. to his .eet( :I "*e

s*$ th*t )ougl*s ,oul" "o no bette i. he ee hee(; >e *s st*ing "ie,tl$ *t )oogie

+e*n"eing in thei "ie,tion(

:ell5 I shoul" *t le*st t$5; )oogie s*i" *s he #i,ke" u# his bo *n" #*,ti,e *os(

:@*ste )ougl*se s,ol"e" +e .o st*$ing in be" so long(;

:Clou"?;

:>e4s +$ #et ,o(;

Lieuten*nt Cobett inteu#te"5 :No5 i. e ,*n get on ith to"*$4s lesson5 $oung si5 i.

$ou oul" #le*se *i+ *t the t*get(;

2


25/33


)oogie4s *i+ *s o..( A+be beste" hi+ in e!e$ ,o+#etition(

:'h*t4s enough .o no5; Lieuten*nt Cobett s*i"( :Ple*se *it hee(; >e ent to into

the *+ou$(

:ou h*!e * #et ,o?; A+be *ske"(

:es(; )oogie hel" out his *+ *n" Clou" settle" gentl$ on it( :Clou"5 s*$ hello to

L*"$ A+be(;

Clou" s*i" h*t #*sses .o :hello; in ,o l*ngu*ge *n" bobbe" u# *n" "on( >elooke" b*,k o!e his shoul"e *n" )oogie .e" hi+ * ,ou#le g*ins o. ,on( Clou" tune"

b*,k to A+be ho e*,he" out to tou,h Clou"(

:)on4t t$ to #et hi+( >e bites(;

Clou" looke" b*,k *t )oogie *n" +*"e * u"e noise( >e tune" b*,k to A+be *n"bobbe" u# *n" "on( She gentl$ stoke" his .e*thes( Clou" bobbe" * .e ti+es(

:>e +ust e*ll$ like $ou( I4!e ne!e seen hi+ "o th*t be.oe(;

:@*$be he4s .liting5 unlike so+e #eo#le I kno(;

)oogie sighe"( h*t ,oul" he s*$? >is .*the h*" tol" hi+ to look elsehee .o *

i.e( /liting ith this o+*n *s *sking .o touble(

:C*n I hol" hi+?; she *ske"(

:Put $ou *+ out le!el net to +ine( I. he *nts5 he4ll ho# o!e(;

Clou" i++e"i*tel$ ho##e" to he *+ *n" bobbe"( A+be "e hi+ ,lose *n"tou,he" his he*" to he ,heek( Clou" bobbe" *n" tune" to look *t )oogie be.oe +*king *

u"e noise(

:I "on4t h*!e *n$ ,on to gi!e hi+5; A+be s*i"(

Clou" looke" he in the e$e *n" then +otione" ith his he*" *s i. to s*$5 :et so+e

.o+ th*t lose o!e thee(;

)oogie h*n"e" so+e ,on hi,h A+be .e" hi+( Clou" so.tl$ *n his he*" *g*inst he

,heek *n" took o.. in se*,h o. +i,e s+*,king )oogie in the he*" ith his ing *s he .leb$(

Lieuten*nt Cobett etune" ith to bos( :'$ these out( It4s * ne "esign I h*!ebeen oking on( I ,*ll it * ,o+#oun" bo( It4s +*"e in l*$es( @il*"$5 $ou *i+ is tue5

but thee is no #oe in it( I. $ou hit so+ething ith th*t bo $ou ee using5 the *o

oul" boun,e o..( e nee" to .in" $ou * *$ to +*ke $ou .light .*ste *n" stonge(;

2


26/33


)oogie *n" A+be *"+ie" the bos be.oe t$ing the+( 'ue to his o"5 the bo

"i" *"" stength to A+be4s *os( 'he$ #enet*te" "ee#e into the t*get th*n be.oe(

Lo" Stone *n"ee" b$ *.te the$ h*" been oking ith the ne bos .o *n hou(:Coul" I see th*t?; >e #i,ke" u# one o. the *os5 no,ke" it in the bo *n" *i+e" *t the

t*get( 'he *o .le st*ight *n" tue( :E,ellent< Is this the .ist ti+e $ou4!e teste"

these?;

:es5 @ilo"( the th*n +$sel.5 si(;

:e$ goo"( C*n e h*!e * "oen +*"e be.oe /i"*$? 'he ,**!*n le*!es on /i"*$

*n" I *nt the gu*"s to h*!e the ne bo(;

:es5 si5 e,use +e5 si5 but I ill nee" so+e hel#(;

:)ougl*s5 see the C*#t*in *n" tell hi+ to oun" u# h*te!e hel# Lieuten*nt Cobett

nee"s(;

:es5 si(;

:)inne is in the #i!*te "ining oo+( )on4t be l*te(;

:es5 si(;

Lo" Stone tune" to A+be *n" gentl$ #ulle" he *si"e( :I *+ gl*" to see th*t

Lieuten*nt Cobett is t*king goo" ,*e o. $ou( Is e!e$thing else to $ou s*tis.*,tion?;

:es5 @ilo"(;

:e$ ell(;

:@ilo"5 +*$ I *sk $ou * =uestion?;

:Cet*inl$(;

:I un"est*n" e ill be t*king +$ ,*i*ge to %o,k#ot5 but I ill h*!e to i"e on

hoseb*,k .o+ thee( Is this tue?;

:es5 it is5 unless $ou .in" * husb*n" in %o,k#ot *n" bing hi+ "ie,tl$ ho+e .o+

thee( 'he +ount*in #*ss though hi,h $ou ill t*!el to *nite %i"ge "oes not *llo

.o the i"th o. * *gon( It is not * "i..i,ult i"e on * hose( It is to o thee "*$s *s Ie+e+be5 but * ,*i*ge ,*n not go thee(;

:An" then e h*!e thee +oe ,ities *ll on hoseb*,k?;

:es5 $ou ill e*,h h*!e * #*,k *ni+*l5 but unless $ou .in" so+eone illing to len"$ou * ,*i*ge5 $ou +ust i"e hoseb*,k I *+ *.*i"( 'hee is no othe o#tion( oing b$

se* oul" be e*sie5 I su##ose5 but it oul" be longe *n" ith the #i*tes out on the *te5

26


27/33


I oul" .e* .o $ou s*.et$( . ,ouse i. $ou .in" * husb*n"5 $ou *e el,o+e to etun to

%o,k#ot o ,ontinue ith )ougl*s(;

:'h*nk $ou5 @ilo"(;

:ou *e +ost el,o+e5 L*"$ A+be(;

)oogie tune" to A+be *n" s*i"5 :I h*!e +$ +*,hing o"es( I nee" to .in" the

C*#t*in( Peh*#s e ,*n ,ontinue this to+oo(;

:See $ou *t "inne5; she e#lie" ith * s+ile(

)oogie ginne" *n" he*"e" o.. in se*,h o. the C*#t*in ho onl$ * .e hous *go

olle" hi+ out o. be" *n" on to the .loo(

)inne th*t e!ening *s in the #i!*te "ining oo+( 'he Lo" Stone s*t *t the he*" o.

the t*ble *n" the L*"$ Ale*n"* s*t *t the .oot( A+be s*t to he ight( )oogie *sse*te" to he le.t *,oss .o+ A+be( )oogie4s el"est bothe *net *n" his i.e5

S*##hie5 s*t to his .*the4s ight *n" his siste5 %ub$ *n" he husb*n"5 'o*"stone5 to hisle.t( As usu*l5 )oogie *s the l*st to *i!e(

:)ougl*s( ou *e l*te(;

:es5 .*the(;

As soon *s )oogie s*t5 his +othe e*,he" out .o his *n" A+be4s h*n"s( She in,line"

he he*" .o*"( E!e$one se*te" *oun" the t*ble took h*n"s *n" #e#*e" .o the#*$e( :*,ious Lo"5 e th*nk $ou "*il$ .o the li.e $ou gi!e us *n" .o the blessings

$ou h*!e bestoe" u#on us( e th*nk $ou .o goo" .ien"s *n" goo" ,o+#*n$( *nt usthe is"o+ to *##e,i*te ou blessings *n" the g*,iousness to sh*e h*t e h*!e iththose ho *e less .otun*te( i!e us the stength to #ote,t those ho nee" ou #ote,tion

.o+ those ho oul" seek to "o the+ h*+( All s*$5 A+en(;

:A+en(;

i!en the "e,*"e "i..een,e in thei *ges5 )oogie b*el$ kne his el"est bothe5

*net5 o S*##hie( hile the$ ee ,outeous ith e*,h othe5 the$ h*" little in ,o++on

be$on" the "*il$ o#e*tion o. the .*+s *n" in"usties th*t su##ote" thei lo,*l e,ono+$(hen the thee o+en *t his en" o. the t*ble l*un,he" into * "is,ussion *bout nes o. the

l*test .*shions /e" h*" sent b*,k on the ,on!o$ th*t h*" *i!e" th*t "*$5 )oogie *s le.tout o. the ,on!es*tion(

A.te )oogie .inishe" his sou#5 Clou"5 ho h*" entee" the oo+ ith )oogie5 +o!e"

to the #e,h *tt*,he" to )oogie4s ,h*i( >e looke" in )oogie4s e$e *n" bobbe" * ,ou#le o.ti+es( Clou" looke" b*,k *n" .oth beteen )oogie *n" A+be( )oogie g*!e hi+ * .e

#ie,es o. ,on *n" s+ile"( >e *""esse" the bi"( :oul" $ou like +e to *sk?; 'he bi"

bobbe"( :L*"$ A+be5 Clou" oul" like to kno i. he ,oul" sit ith $ou(;

27


28/33


L*"$ Ale*n"* looke" stunne"( :>e "oesn4t like *n$one but $oue sneee" hen I #i,ke" hi+ u#( 'he

+othe h*" #ushe" hi+ out o. the nest so he oul" not +*ke the othes si,k( >e looke" *t+e *s i. to #le*" ith +e to not let hi+ "ie( I ,oul"n4t le*!e hi+ thee( 'he +othe "i" not

*nt hi+ b*,k5 so I took hi+ ho+e(;

:I *l+ost kille" hi+ hen he got ho+e5; L*"$ Ale*n"* s*i"( :I *s oie" be,*use

he *n o.. ithout telling *n$one *n" then he etune" ith this *ni+*l( I "i" not *nt th*t

28


29/33


.ilth$ thing in +$ house5 but he looke" so .olon ith his unn$ e$es *n" l*boue"

be*thing( It *sn4t *s i. )ougl*s "i"n4t h*!e *n$ #ets5 but this little thing looke" so#*theti, I *gee" to let hi+ kee# hi+ *s long *s he li!e" in the b*n ith the hoses(

)ougl*s took hi+ out *n" nuse" hi+ b*,k to he*lth(;

:)i" $ou te*,h it to .l$?; A+be *ske" te*singl$(

Clou" ni##e" he e*(

:< h*t *s th*t .o?;

:>e is not *n 4it4( >e is #ote,ti!e o. his +*s,ulinit$(; )oogie *nsee" ith * gin(

A+be tune" to look *t Clou"( :I kin" o. kne th*t *s soon *s I s*i" it( )oes he t*lkto *n$one but $ou?;

:I "on4t kno( No one else I kno(;

:So5 tell +e ho he le*ne" to .l$(;

:>e sot o. .igue" th*t out on his on( 'hee ee * ,ou#le o. s+*ll b*n ols th*tli!e" in the b*n4s *.tes( >e h*" seen the+ hunting +i,e *n" I guess he got hung$( >e

.igue" out ho to .l$ *n" hunt b$ *t,hing the+( ne "*$ I o#ene" the "oo *n" he .le

out( >e4s been .l$ing e!e sin,e(;

:I thought ,os ee h*binges o. e!il(; A+be s*i"(

Clou" +*"e * goling noise(

)oogie s*i"5 :'hee *e * lot o. su#estitions *bout ,os( @*n$ o. the #eo#le hee

h*" the s*+e su#estitions until Clou" ,*+e *long( >e "is#elle" the+(;

:>o "i" he "o th*t?;

:I think the be*k ,*+e hen I *s on #*tol ith the gu*"s on ou .ontie( I h*!e

been going ith the+ sin,e I *s .outeen( I like being out"oos *n" things h*" been ,*l+.o * hile so I *s *lloe" to t*g *long( n,e he *s stong enough to .l$ Clou" .le

hee!e I ent( ,,*sion*ll$ he oul" bing b*,k * +ouse o so+ething to e*t hen e

h*" "inne5 but +ostl$ he st*$e" out o. the *$( e ,*+e o!e this one hill *n" Clou"

st*te" to s,e*+( >e ,i,le" o!e *n *e* to ou le.t *n" s,e*+e" so lou" th*t e o"e tosee h*t *s going on( >*" he not s,e*+e"5 e oul" h*!e gone b$ *n" not h*!e seen

the touble( e he*" the soun"s o. * .ight *n" .oun" * b*n" o. obbes *tt*,king * *gon

t*in( e soun"e" the ,olos *n" ,h*ge"( Clou" .ought ith us( It *s the +ost *+*ingthing< >e .le in .ont o. the obbes5 "ist*,ting the+ so ou gu*"s ,oul" *tt*,k( >e *s

like * "e+on .l$ing in *n" out s,*t,hing *n" biting( None o. us h*" seen *n$thing like it(

ith Clou"4s hel#5 e kille" o ,*#tue" *ll the obbes( ne o. the #eo#le in the *gont*in *s kille"5 but e ee *ble to get the est to s*.et$(;

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30/33


L*"$ Ale*n"* s*i" gentl$5 :'he one ho "ie" *s $ou ,ousin Fe$ Lee(;

:'h*t *s $ou ho s*!e" +$ ,ousins5; A+be s*i" so.tl$(

:I. +$ +othe s*$s so5 I guess5 $es5 th*t *s us( Lieuten*nt Cobett le" the #l*toon(;

:An" Clou" ,*lle" $ou to the es,ue?; A+be s*i"(

Clou" #ou"l$ bobbe" u# *n" "on(

)oogie *""e"5 :'h*t *s the .ist ti+e5 but thee h*!e been othe ti+es sin,e then( 'he

e*son e .oun" $ou $este"*$ is be,*use Clou" .oun" $ou .ist( Lieuten*nt Cobett

sense" so+ething ong *n" h*" +e sen" Clou" u# to look *oun"( >*" Clou" not .oun"

$ou e oul" h*!e ,ontinue" on the +*in o*" *n" the big*n"s oul" h*!e kille" $ou(;

:I guess I oe +$ li.e to this bi"5 then5; A+be s*i"5 sub"ue"(

:As I "o5 @il*"$5; )oogie s*i"( :@oe th*n on,e(;

:hi,h is h$ he gets **$ ith so +u,h *oun" hee


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:e$ goo"( ou ill h*!e $ou h*n"s .ull on $ou +ission *n" $ou ill nee" to

"e!ote $ou enegies to #ote,ting $ousel. *n" those *oun" $ou(;

:Isn4t th*t Lieuten*nt Cobett4s ob?;

:It4s e!e$one4s ob( L*"$ A+be5 h*t "i" $ou think o. the ne bo $ou teste"to"*$?;

:It4s h*" to #ull *t .ist5 but gets e*sie *s $ou #ull it b*,k( It4s the o##osite o. h*t I*+ use" to( I oul" like to ok ith it so+e +oe(;

:I un"est*n" $ou .*the te*te" $ou +oe like * bo$ th*n * gil( >o +u,h ti+e "i"

$ou s#en" on ,o+b*t skills?;

:@ilo"5 I *+ not sue it is .*i to s*$ th*t( @$ .*the *nte" us to be *ble to "e.en"

ousel!esG I "on4t think th*t4s the s*+e thing *s te*ting us like bo$s(;

:/*i enough(;

:e s#ent *bout *n hou * "*$ le*ning to "e.en" ousel!es5 si(;

:Peh*#s e shoul" .in" $ou * s#*ing #*tne hile $ou *e hee( )ougl*s *n"

Lieuten*nt Cobett ill be bus$ ith the #e#**tions .o the oune$ no th*t the *gons

h*!e etune"(;

:Si5 oul" it not be * bette use o. +$ ti+e to hel# ith #e#**tions .o the oune$?;

:L*"$ Ale*n"* *n" I ill "is,uss th*t this e!ening *.te "inne *n" *g*in *t be*k.*st(

)ougl*s5 $ou ill g*,e us ith $ou #esen,e *t be*k.*st in the +oning5 on4t $ou?;

:es5 si(;

:)o $ou think the ne bos ill be e*"$ .o the oune$?;

:es5 si I "o( 'he C*#t*in *s !e$ su##oti!e( >e e#esse" his ,on,en th*t the

+en-*t-*+s ho *e to ,*$ the ne bos oul" not h*!e enough ti+e to t*in on the+(>e "i" not think h*!ing the+ ,*$ * ne e*#on into ,o+b*t *s * goo" i"e*5; )oogie

e#lie"(

:I sh*e his ,on,en( 'h*t is h$ e!e$ e!ening *.te $ou +*ke ,*+#5 $ou ill see th*t

the$ t*ke the ti+e to #*,ti,e( L*"$ A+be5 I oul" *##e,i*te $ou hel# in th*t #*,ti,e(;

:I oul" be honoue"5 si(;

:oo"( 'h*t4s settle"(; >e tune" to his el"est son( :*net5 oul" $ou #le*se e#l*in

to +e h*t *s going on ith the h*!est in the e*st si"e botto+ l*n"?;

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*net l*un,he" into *n *ni+*te" e#l*n*tion o. *n in,i"ent in!ol!ing * h*l. "oen

.*+ h*n"s *n" *n e=u*l nu+be o. obstin*te .*+ *ni+*ls( 'he gou# *oun" the t*ble"issol!e" into un,ontolle" l*ughte *t se!e*l #oints in the sto$ hi,h l*ste" until *.te

the "esset h*" been se!e"(

'he .*+il$ e,on!ene" *t be*k.*st *n" A+be *s *ssigne" to .*,ilit*te the

,onstu,tion o. the ne bos( )oogie4s siste %ub$ *n" he husb*n" 'o*"stone "e#*te"to etun to thei #o#et$ ith thei entou*ge i++e"i*tel$ *.te be*k.*st( 'he *gons

,*$ing the #o"u,ts the$ ee sen"ing to +*ket oul" be in,lu"e" in the ,on!o$ )oogie

oul" be es,oting .o thei bothe to sell in %o,k#ot *long ith the #o"u,ts in A+be4s

,on!o$( )oogie *n" *ll the *ble bo"ie" +en .inishe" binging in the l*st o. the h*!est *n"lo*"ing the goo"s on the *gons( 'he o+en o. the !ill*ge +*"e the .in*l #e#**tions on

the o!en *n" othe goo"s the$ h*" #e#*e"( 'he =u*te+*ste ,*e.ull$ logge" e!e$

ite+ *s it *s #l*,e" on * *gon *n" "istibute" e,ei#ts .o e!e$ "eli!e$(

B$ sun"on 'hus"*$5 e!e$thing *##e*e" to be e*"$( 'he Stone .*+il$ +et on,e

+oe .o "inne in the #i!*te "ining oo+(

)oogie *s on ti+e .o the l*st "inne he oul" h*!e in this house #io to his"e#*tue on his +ission( Be.oe he ,oul" h*!e * ,h*n,e to sit5 his #*ents #ulle" hi+

*si"e(

:)ougl*s5; his +othe s*i"5 :e h*!e "e,i"e" to t*ke $ou oo+ .o * nuse$ .o

*net *n" S*##hie4s ne b*bies( I ho#e $ou "on4t +in"(;

)oogie stoo" in silen,e( :No5 I guess not( It4s bette th*n the oo+ sitting e+#t$(;

:ou +*i"s ill ,*e .o the b*bies so $ou nee" not o$ on thei *,,ount(;

:I h*" on"ee"(;

:Look *t it *s *nothe e*son to .in" $ousel. * goo" o+*n *n" set u# housekee#ing

on $ou on5; Lo" Stone s*i" gentl$(

:)oes this +e*n $ou *e ki,king +e out o. the house?;

:No5; his +othe s*i" =ui,kl$(

>is .*the4s e$es tinkle" *s he s*i"5 :es5 it is ti+e $ou h*" $ou on *"!entues(;

:But5 $ou ill *l*$s be el,o+e( 'his is $ou ho+e5; >is +othe s*i"(

:es5; Lo" Stone *gee"( :I4+ hung$5 sh*ll e "ine?;

A.te the "esset "ishes h*" been ,le*e"5 Lo" Stone ose *t his #l*,e( :I ish to th*nk$ou .o the ok $ou h*!e "one this eek( 'his is the .ist ti+e in +*n$ $e*s e h*!e

sent * se,on" ,on!o$ to +*ket( I *+ honoue" to h*!e been entuste" ith the goo"s o.

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ou .ien"s *n" el*ti!es .o s*le *t +*ket( u h*!est h*s been *bun"*nt( u .iel"s

h*!e been e,e#tion*ll$ #o"u,ti!e( e shoul" be th*nk.ul .o the bount$ th*t h*s beenbestoe" u#on us( ith the .ist light o. "*n5 se!e*l +e+bes o. ou .*+il$ *n"

,o++unit$ ill be le*!ing us( e ish si.t5 s*.e *n" une!ent.ul oune$s .o *ll those

ho *e es#onsible .o the t*ns#ot o. ou goo"s .o s*le *n" the etun o. the goo"s e#u,h*se *t +*ket(;

'he$ *ise" thei gl*sses in *..i+*tion( *net =ui##e"5 :Boing goo"5 e,iting b*"(;

E!en Clou" +*"e u"e noises *t hi+(

:L*"$ A+be *n" @*ste )ougl*s ill be going on .o+ thee ith Lieuten*nt Cobett

*n" L*"$ A+be4s +*i"5 @iss #*l /*,et5 to ,o+#lete the negoti*tions .o ou +utu*l

"e.en,e *gee+ents( 'he$ h*!e *lso been ,h*ge" ith seeking *n" .in"ing s#ouses *longthe *$( As the inte snos ill soon be u#on us5 I e#e,t e ill not see the+ *g*in

until s#ing( Ple*se oin +e in ishing the+ s*.e *n" #o"u,ti!e oune$s(;

'he$ *ise" thei gl*sses *g*in in *..i+*tion( Clou" s=u*ke" on,e in #otest(

Lo" Stone ginne"( :Let us not .oget ou ,o+*"e in *+s ho ill be *t,hing o!e

the t*!eles( Clou" is in this .o the long h*ul(;

Clou" bobbe" u# *n" "on on his #e,h *n" ,*e" #ou"l$(

Documents

Doogie Stone Sample 9-21-10