,,! ,,CAPTURE
     ,,! ,,GU>DIANS ,,( ,,GA'HOOLE
               ,BOOK ,"O

           0,,KA?RYN ,,LASKY

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
             ,S*OLA/IC ,9C4
               ,NEW ,YORK
     ,COPY"R #BJJC 0,KA?RYN ,LASKY
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4
      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
           ,T>A ,B4 ,DE,CO/]
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #C ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #A
         ,PAGES ;I-;VI & #A-HB

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










        ,6,ANN ,REIT1 ,WISE ,[L1
         ,GRT ,FLI<T ,9/RUCTOR
                --,K4,L4











                ,,3T5TS             ;III
,*APT]                             ,PAGE
,PROLOGUE """"""""""""""""""""""""""" ;V

#A ,A ,NE/ ,REMEMB]$ """""""""""""""" #A
#B ,A ,LIFE ,WOR? ,TWO ,PELLETS """" #AG
#C ,SNAT*$6 """""""""""""""""""""""" #BG
#D ,/4 ,AEGOLIUS ,ACADEMY =
  ,ORPHAN$ ,[LS""""""""""""""""""""" #CC
#E ,MOON ,BL9K+ """""""""""""""""""" #DG
#F ,SEP>ATE ,PITS1 ,"O ,M9D """""""" #EC
#G ,! ,GRT ,S*EME """""""""""""""""" #EI
#H ,! ,PELLETORIUM """"""""""""""""" #FE
#I ,GD ,NURSE ,F9NY """""""""""""""" #GE











                                     ;IV
























               ,PROLOGUE              ;V

  ,! _W SPIRAL$1 ! NE$LES (! OLD FIR
TREE BLURR$ AG/ ! NI<T SKY & !N "! 0 A
SICK5+ S5S,N Z ! =E/ FLOOR RAC$ T[>D HM4
,SOR5 MADLY TRI$ 6B1T 8 /U2Y LL W+S4
,USE.S6 ,HE ?"\1 ..,I AM D1D4 ,A D1D [L-
ET4 ,?REE WEEKS \ (! %ELL & MY LIFE
.5DS6
  ,SU45LY1 "S?+ 2GAN 6S(T5 8 FALL--A
POCKET ( BREEZE8 ,A CU%ION ( W9D8 ,A
D[NY FLUFF ( AIR LAC+ "? 8 UNSI<TLY
PAT*ES ( FUZZ8 ,:AT 0 X8 ,"T SL[$4 ,8
%ORT LIFE FL[$ 0HM--E SECOND ( X F 8 V
F/ MEMORY4 '''










                                     ;VI
























              ,,*APT] ,,"O            #A
           ,A ,NE/ ,REMEMB]$

  8,NOCTUS1 C Y SP>E A BIT M D[N1 D>L+8
,I ?9K \R ?IRD LL "O IS AB 6>RIVE4 ,T
EGG IS 2G9N+ 6CRACK40
  8,N AG60 SI<$ ,KLUDD4
  8,:AT D Y M1N1 ,KLUDD1 N AG8 ,DON'T Y
WANT ANO!R LL BRO!R80 8 "F SD4 ,"! 0 AN
$GE 6HIS VOICE4
  8,OR SI/]80 ,8 "M SI<$ ! L[ S(T :I/LE
,B>N ,[LS "S"TS US$4
  8,I'D L A SI/]10 ,SOR5 PEEP$ UP4
  8,Y J HAT*$ \ TWO WEEKS AGO40 ,KLUDD
TURN$ 6,SOR51 8 "Y] BRO!R4 8,:AT D Y "K
AB SI/]S80
  .,MAYBE1 ,SOR5 ?"\ 6HMF1 ..!Y WD 2
BETT] ?AN .BRO!RS4 ,KLUDD SEEM$ 6H RE-
S5T$ HM S9CE ! MO;T HE _H F/ HAT*$4
  8,Y RE,Y WDN'T WANT !M >RIV+ J :5 Y'RE
AB 62G9 BRAN*+10 ,KLUDD SD DULLY4
,BRAN*+ 0 ! F/ /EP1 LIT],Y1 T[>D FLI<T4
,! "Y [LETS WD 2G9 0HOPP+ F BRAN* 6BRAN*
& FLAPP+ _! W+S4
  8,N[1 N[1 ,KLUDD60 8 "F ADMONI%$4
8,DON'T 2 IMPATI5T4 ,"!'LL 2 "T =     #B
BRAN*+4 ,REMEMB]1 Y WON'T H YR FLI<T
F1!RS = AT L1/ ANO!R MON? OR M40
  ,SOR5 0 J AB 6ASK :AT A MON? 0 :5 HE
HE>D A .CRACK4 ,! [L FAMILY ALL SEEM$ TO
FREEZE4 ,6ANY O!R =E/ CR1TURE ! S.D WD H
BE5 IMP]CEPTI#4 ,B ,B>N ,[LS 7 B.S$ )
EXTRAORD9>Y HE>+4
  8,X'S -+60 ,SOR5'S "M GASP$4 8,I'M S
EXCIT$40 ,%E SI<$ AG & LOOK$ RAPTUR\SLY
AT ! PURE :ITE EGG Z X ROCK$ BACK & =?4
,A T9Y HOLE APPE>$ & F X PROTRUD$ A
SMALL SPUR4
  8,XS EGG TOO?1 0,GLAUX60 ,SOR5'S "F
EXCLAIM$4
  8,M9E 0 BI7] WASN'T X1 ,DA80 ,KLUDD
%OV$ ,SOR5 ASIDE =A BETT] LOOK1 B ,SOR5
CREPT BACK UP "U 8 "F'S W+4
  8,OH1 ,I DON'T "K1 SON4 ,B ISN'T X A
PRETTY1 GLI/5+ LL PO9T4 ,ALW GIVES ME A
?RILL4 ,S* A T9Y LL ?+ PECK+ XS WAY 96!
BIG WIDE _W4 ,AH6 ,B.S MY GIZZ>D1 ! WON-
D] ( X ALL40
  ,X DID 9DE$ SEEM A WOND]4 ,SOR5 />$ AT
! HOLE T N[ 2GAN 6SPLIT 96TWO OR ?REE
CRACKS4 ,! EGG %U4]$ SLI<TLY &!       #C
CRACKS GREW L;G] & WID]4 ,HE _H D"O ?
HMF J TWO WEEKS AGO4 ,? .0 EXCIT+4
  8,:AT HAPP5$ 6MY EGG TOO?1 ,MUM80
  8,X DROPP$ (F1 /UPID10 ,KLUDD SD4
  8,OH10 ,SOR5 SD QUIETLY4 ,8 P>5TS 7 S
ABSORB$ 9 ! HAT*+ T !Y DIDN'T REPRIM&
,KLUDD = 8 RUDE;S4
  8,":'S ,MRS4 ,P48 ,MRS4 ,P480 8 "M SD
URG5TLY4
  8,"R "H1 MA'AM40 ,MRS4 ,PLI?IV]1 ! OLD
BL SNAKE :O _H BE5 )! [L FAMILY = YE>S &
YE>S1 SLI!R$ 96! HOLL[4 ,BL SNAKES1 BORN
)\T EYES1 S]V$ Z NE/-MAIDS & 7 KEPT 0_M
[LS 6MAKE SURE ! NE/S 7 CL1N & FREE (
MA7OTS & V>I\S 9SECTS T F.D _! WAY 96!
HOLL[S4
  8,MRS4 ,P41 NO MA7OTS OR V]M9 9 T COR-
N] ": ,NOCTUS PUT 9 FRE% D[N40
  8',C\RSE N1 MA'AM4 ,N[1 H[ _M BROODS (
[LETS H ,I BE5 "? ) Y80
  8,OH1 SORRY1 ,MRS4 ,P4 ,H[ CD ,I H "E
D\BT$ Y8 ,I'M ALW N]V\S AT ! HAT*+4 ,EA*
"O IS J L ! F/ "T4 ,I N"E GET US$ 6X40
  8,DON'T Y APOLOGIZE1 MA'AM4 ,Y ?9K ANY
O!R BIRDS WD C>E TWO :ITS IF _! NE/   #D
0 CL1N8 ,! /ORIES ,I'VE HE>D AB S1GULLS6
,OH1 MY GD;S6 ,WELL1 ,I WON'T EV5 G 9TO
X40
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:OM !Y 3SID]$ ! NO#/ ( BIRDS4 ,METICU-
L\S1 ! BL SNAKES _H GRT 4DA9 = O!R BIRDS
T !Y FELT 7 LESS CL1N DUE 6_! UN=TUNATE
DIGE/IVE PROCESSES T CAUS$ !M 6ELIM9ATE
ONLY SLOPPY WET DROPP+S 9/1D ( NICE N1T
BUNDLES--! PELLETS T [LS Y>P$1 OR SPIT
UP4 ,AL? [LS DID DIGE/ ! S(T "PS ( _!
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PASS$ X 9 A LIQUID =M1 = "S R1SON !Y 7
N"E ASSOCIAT$ ) ^! LESS] DIGE/IVE PROC-
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WAY 7 PRESS$ 96LL PELLETS J ! %APE &
SIZE (! [L'S GIZZ>D4 ,S"EAL H\RS AF EAT-
+1 ! [LS WD Y>P !M UP4 8,WET POOP]S0 IS
H[ _M NE/-MAID SNAKES REF]R$ 6O!R BIRDS4
,( C\RSE1 ,MRS4 ,PLI?IV] 0 M* TOO PROP]
6USE S* CO>SE LANGUAGE4
  8,MUM60 ,SOR5 GASP$4 8,LOOK AT T40 ,!
NE/ SU45LY SEEM$ 6REV]B]ATE )A HUGE
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  8,X'S A GIRL60 ,A L;G .%REE CALL /R1M$
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PI;S4 8,ADORA#60 ,SOR5'S "M SI<$4
  8,5*ANT+60 SD ,SOR5'S "F4
  ,KLUDD YAWN$ & ,SOR5 />$ DUMBF.D$ AT !
WET NAK$ ?+ ) XS HUGE BULG+ EYES S1L$
TI<TLY %UT4
  8,:AT'S WR;G ) H] H1D1 ,MUM80 ,SOR5
ASK$4
  8,NO?+1 DE>4 ,*ICKS J H V L>GE H1DS4
,X TAKES A :ILE = _! BODIES 6CAT* UP40
  8,N 6M5;N _! BRA9S10 ,KLUDD MUTT]$4
  8,S !Y C'T HOLD _! H1DS UP "R AWAY10
SD 8 "M4 8,Y 7 ! SAME WAY40
  8,:AT % WE CALL ! LL DE>80 ,SOR5'S "F
ASK$4
  8,EGLANT9E10 ,SOR5'S "M REPLI$ IMMLY4
8,I H ALW WANT$ A LL ,EGLANT9E40
  8,OOOH6 ,MUM1 ,I LOVE T "N10 ,SOR5 SD4
,HE S(TLY REP1T$ ! "N4 ,!N HE TIPP$ T[>D
! LL PULS+ MASS ( :ITE4 8,EGLANT9E10 HE
:ISP]$ S(TLY1 & HE ?"\ HE SAW "O LL S1L$
EYE OP5 J A SLIT &A T9Y VOICE SEEM$   #F
6SAY 8HI40 ,SOR5 LOV$ 8 LL SI/] IMMLY4
  ,"O SECOND1 ,EGLANT9E _H BE5 ? QUIV]+
LL WET BLOB1 & !N1 M9UTES LAT]1 X SEEM$
Z IF %E _H TURN$ 96A FLU6Y :ITE BALL (
D[N4 ,%E GREW /R;G] QKLY1 OR S X APPE>$
6,SOR54 ,8 P>5TS ASSUR$ HM T HE1 TOO1 _H
D"O EXACTLY ! SAME4 ,T EV5+ X 0 "T = H]
,F/ ,9SECT C]EMONY4 ,H] EYES 7 FULLY OP5
& %E 0 BAWL+ ) HUNG]4 ,EGLANT9E CD H>DLY
MAKE X "? H] "F'S 8,WELCOME 6,TYTO0
SPEE*4
  8,LL ,EGLANT9E1 WELCOME 6! ,=E/ ( ,TY-
TO1 =E/ (! ,B>N ,[LS1 OR ,TYTO ALBA1 Z
WE >E M =M,Y "KN4 ,ONCE ^U A "T1 L;G L;G
AGO1 WE DID 9DE$ LIVE 9 B>NS4 ,B N[1 WE
& O!R ,TYTO C\S9S LIVE 9 ? =E/ K+DOM "KN
Z ,TYTO4 ,WE >E R>E 9DE$ & WE >E P]H !
SMALLE/ ( ALL ! [L K+DOMS4 ,AL?1 9 TRU?1
X HAS BE5 A L;G L;G "T S9CE WE _H A K+4
,"S"D :5 Y GR[ UP1 :5 Y 5T] YR SECOND
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( YR [N 9 : 6LIVE )A MATE40
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,SOR54 ,HE SIMPLY CD N IMAG9E GR[+ UP &
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>AT$ F 8 P>5TS8 ,& YET "! 0 ? URGE 6FLY1
EV5 N[ ) 8 /U2Y LL W+S T LACK$ EV5 !
SMALLE/ SIGN ( TRUE FLI<T F1!RS4 8,&
N[10 ,SOR5'S "F 3T9U$1 8X IS "T = YR ,F/
,9SECT C]EMONY40 ,HE TURN$ 6,SOR5'S "M4
8,M>ELLA1 MY DE>1 C Y BR+ =W>D ! CRICK-
ET80
  ,SOR5'S "M /EPP$ UP4 ,9 H] B1K %E HELD
"O (! SUMM]'S LA/ CRICKETS4 8,EAT UP1
"Y'UN6 ,H1DF/4 ,YES1 D[N ! B1K4 ,YES1
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M\SE1 OR VOLE40
  8,MMMM10 SI<$ ,SOR5'S "F Z HE WAT*$ 8
DAU<T] SWALL[ ! CRICKET4 8,DIZZY 9 !
GIZZY1 A9'T X S860
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,KLUDD4

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0 / S EXCIT$ 0HIS LL SI/]'S >RIVAL T HE
CD N SLEEP4 ,8 P>5TS _H RETIR$ 6! L$GE
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  8,OH1 ,NOCTUS1 X IS V /RANGE--ANO!R
[LET 4APPE>$80
  8,YES1 MY DE>1 ,I'M AFRAID S40
  8,H[ _M IS T N[ 9 ! LA/ FEW "DS80
  8,FIFTE5 MISS+1 ,I 2LIEVE40
  8,T IS _M M ?AN C 2 A3.T$ = 0RA3OONS40
  8,YES10 ,NOCTUS REPLI$ GRIMLY4 8,& "!
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  8,:AT80 8 WIFE REPLI$ 9 A L[] WAV]+
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  8,E7S80
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  8,I ?"\ ,I M/ TELL Y 9 CASE WE >E B.S$
) ANO!R BROOD40
  8,OH1 GRT ,GLAUX10 8 "M GASP$4 ,SOR5'S
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SWE> 2F4 8,B WE S SELDOM L1VE ! NE/ DUR+
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PAUS$4 8,WAT* U 3/ANTLY40             #I
  8,:O"E X IS C FLY OR CLIMB10 ,NOCTUS
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  ,SOR5 FELT A S5SE ( DR1D SEEP 96! HOL-
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SNAT*$ :ILE J AN EGG4 ,HE V[$ HE WD N"E
L1VE H] AL"O4

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ATE H] F/ 9SECT %E N"E /OPP$ EAT+4 ,8 "M
& "F ASSUR$ HM T HE _H BE5 ! SAME4 8,& Y
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ON-,M1T C]EMONY60
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--"O C]EMONY AF ANO!R4 ,EA*1 X SEEM$ 9
"S WAY OR ANO!R1 L$ 6! TRULY BI7E/1 P]H
! MO/ SOLEMN YET JOY\S MO;T 9 A "Y [L'S
LIFE3 ,F/ ,FLI<T4
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EYES ( XS P>5TS4

  8,HOP6 ,HOP6 ,T'S X1 ,KLUDD6 ,N[1 UP )
! W+S J Z Y 2G9 ! HOP 6T NEXT BRAN*4 ,&
REMEMB]1 Y >E J BRAN*+ N[4 ,NO FLY+4 ,&
EV5 AF YR F/ FLI<T LESSONS1 NO FLY+ 0YRF
UNTIL ,MUM & ,I SAY S40
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LECTURE60
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BRAN*+ LESSON RESUM$4
  8,CRISPLY6 ,CRISPLY1 BOY6 ,KEEP !
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  8,B ,I'M N FLY+ YET1 ,DA6 ,Z Y     #AA
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  8,BAD HABIT6 ,BAD HABIT6 ,L1DS 6NOISY
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BRAN*+40
  8,OH1 BO!R60
  8,OH1 ,I'LL BO!R Y60 ,NOCTUS EXPLOD$1
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8 DA A GL>+ LOOK & RESUM$ HOPP+--SLI<TLY
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  ,"! 0 A S]IES ( S(T %ORT HISSES F
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LY :AT ! "Y [LETS 7 DO+ AT ANY GIV5 MO-
;T4 ,%E N[ HE>D ! CRUN* (A NE/ BUG 9
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,M1T C]EMONY1 & !N NO ,F/ ,FUR1 & !N NO
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GLY LL C5TIP$E = Y40
  8,OOH1 !Y'RE S M* FUN 6EAT60 ,SOR5 EX-
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GULLET40
  8,OH1 ,SOR51 TELL ME T /ORY AB ! F/ "T
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  ,MRS4 ,PLI?IV] SI<$ S(TLY4 ,X 0 S
SWEET6 ,EGLANT9E HUNG ON E ^W ( ,SOR5'S4
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,& MAKES Y GI7LE
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,^: WE5SY LL FEET
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,:Y1 X'S ^? LL CREEPY CRAWLIES
,T MAKE ME FEEL S JOLLY4

,=! D>L+ C5TIP$E
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,T'S ! 9SECT ,I ADORE
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,ON A JUICY C5TIP$E
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NICE FAT "O1 MY DE>4 ,5 = YR ,F/ ,FUR
C]EMONY & ,KLUDD'S ,F/ ,B"OS40
  8,I WANT MY [N60 ,KLUDD SD4
  8,NONS5SE1 DE>1 Y CD N"E EAT A :OLE
VOLE40
  8,:OLE VOLE60 SQU1K$ ,EGLANT9E4 8,OH1
,MUM1 X RHYMES4 ,I LOVE RHYMES40
  8,I WANT "O ALL = MYF10 ,KLUDD     #AD
P]SI/$4
  8,N[1 LOOK "H1 ,KLUDD40 ,M>ELLA FIX$
H] SON 9 A D>K /1DY GAZE4 8,WE D N WA/E
FOOD >.D "H4 ,? IS A V L>GE VOLE4 ,"! IS
5 = Y 6H YR ,F/ ,B"OS C]EMONY1 ,SOR5 6H
8 ,F/ ,FUR C]EMONY1 & ,EGLANT9E 6H H]
,F/ ,M1T40
  8,M1T6 ,I GET 6EAT M1T60 ,EGLANT9E
GAVE A LL HOP ( EXCITE;T4 ,%E SEEM$ 6H
=GOTT5 ALL AB ! JOYS ( C5TIP$ES4
  8,& S1 ,KLUDD1 :5 Y WANT A VOLE ALL (
YR [N1 Y C J G \ & HUNT X = YRF6 ,I SP5T
MO/ (! NI<T TRACK+ D[N ? "O4 ,FOOD IS
SC>CE 9 ,TYTO ? "T ( YE>4 ,I'M EXHAU/$40
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SKY4 ,X SEEM$ 6HOV] J ABV ! GRT FIR TREE
": ,SOR5 & 8 FAMILY LIV$1 & X CA/ A S(T
GL[ 9 "? ! OP5+ (! HOLL[4 ,X 0 9DE$ A
P]FECT NI<T =! C]EMONIES T ^! [LS LOV$ &
T M>K$ _! GR[? &! PASSAGE ( "T4

  ,& S T NI<T1 J 2F ! DAWN1 ! ?REE LL
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S AL"O40
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OR HE WD 2COME "S CR1TURE'S NEXT M1L--A
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  8,I DON'T ?9K S1 B H[ W ,I "E GET BACK
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MOAN$4 ,%E 0 N M* GD 9 A CRISIS4 ,"O CD
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SUPPOS$4                             #BJ
  8,H[ L;G UNTIL ,MUM & ,DA GET HOME80
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8,F/ TEE?0--ISN'T T :AT ,DA ALW CALL$ ^!
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8,NO?+ IS "R4 ,DON'T Y MISS YR P>5TS8
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  8,LOOK1 WE DON'T H M* "T10 ,GYLFIE SD
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LETORIUM40
  8,! PELLETORIUM80 ,SOR5 SD BLANKLY4





             ,,*APT] ,,EI<T          #FE
            ,! ,PELLETORIUM

  ,AUNTIE ,F9NY SU45LY APPE>$4 8,CRICKET
HUNT]4 ,Y'RE P]FECT4 ,Y SEE1 "H 9 \R
LOVELY /"O C.TRY ! CRICKET S1SON IS M*
L;G]4 ,!Y HIDE 9 ! NOOKS & CRANNIES & !N
-E \ 9 ! SUN%9E 6BASK 9 ! H1T (! "D40
  8,UH '''0 ,SOR5 />T$ 6SP1K4 8,I'M
FEEL+ A LL PECKI%1 Y "K1 ,AUNTIE4 ,I ?9K
MAYBE ! PELLETORIUM WD 2 BETT] = ME40
  8,OH1 ! PELLETORIUM60 ,AUNTIE ,F9NY
LOOK$ SLI<TLY 3FUS$4 ,%E _H N"E _H AN
[LET SU7E/ ANO!R "W/,N OR TRA9+ S*$ULE4
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WELL4 ,& IF HE FAIL$ Z A CRICKET HUNT]1
X WD REFLECT POORLY ON H]4 ,& !N AG1 IF
%E FULFILL$ ? [L'S REQUE/1 X WD P]H PUT
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TURN$ A BIT H>D L GL9T+ GOLD4 8,!N FOLL[
T L9E OV] "! 96! PELLETORIUM40       #FF

  8,I AM #DG-B4 ,I AM 6BE YR GUIDE =!
PELLETORIUM4 ,FOLL[ ME40 ,! [LET SPOKE 9
A PECULI> MANN]4 ,H] S.DS 7 CLIPP$ &
HOLL[4 ,X 0 N L ! T]RI# ?RUM & CLANG (
,JATT & ,JUTT1 B X 0 L NO [L S.D ,SOR5
_H "E HE>D4
  ,SOR5 & ,GYLFIE FOLL[$ NUMB] #DG-B1 :O
_H 2GUN 6M>*4 ,SOON1 !Y HE>D ! .CLICK (
ALL ! [LETS' TALONS Z !Y /RUCK ! GR.D1 =
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L[ T"O 9 : #DG-B _H SPOK5 SEEM$ 6HOV]
OV] ! VA/ M>*+ ASSEMBLY ( [LETS4 ,!Y 7
S++6

,E PELLET HAS A /ORY ALL XS [N4
,E PELLET HAS A /ORY ALL XS [N4
,) XS FUR & TEE? & B"OS
,& "O OR TWO /"OS1
,E PELLET HAS A /ORY ALL XS [N4

,WE % 4SECT E PELLET ) GLEE4
,P]H WE'LL F9D A ROD5T'S KNEE4
,& N"E % WE TIRE
,9 ! SACR$ TASK T WE 3SPIRE1         #FG
,NOR D \R "W LESS ?AN P]FECTLY
,& "? B"R FLECKS AT ! CORE1
,: MAKE \R HE>TS SO>1
,% ="E REMA9 ! DEEPE/ MY/]Y4

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%OCK ( :AT MET _! EYES Z !Y 5T]$ ! PEL-
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YON1 & ON SLABS ( ROCK L$GES HUNDR$S (
[LS BO2$ _! H1DS UP & D[N OV] ?\S&S (
PELLETS T _H BE5 Y>P$ 0[LS4 ,IF EI "O (
^! TWO LL [LETS _H "KN ! M1N+ (! ^W
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DEEPE/ & WOR/ "P ( X4 ,B NEI ,SOR5 NOR
,GYLFIE 9 _! %ORT LIVES KNEW ( S* ?+S Z
HELL OR ! ^WS T WD DESCRIBE S* A PLACE4
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7 /ORIES--/ORIES ( FLI<T1 ( LE>N+ 6FLY1
(! FEEL+ T M/ 2 DEEP 9 _! GIZZ>DS 9 ORD]
6RISE ON ! W9D4                      #FH
  ,NUMB] #DG-B /EPP$ UP 6!M &1 9 H]
WEIRDLY HOLL[ VOICE1 %E 2GAN 6SP1K4 8,I
AM :AT IS CALL$ A ?IRD-DEGREE PICK]4 ,I
PICK "? ! PELLETS =! L>G] OBJECTS--PEB-
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PICK]S PICK = F1!RS & FUR4 ,F/-DEGREE
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DR1D;L S;G4
  8,X IS BE/ :5 2G9N+ Z A PICK] 6USE YR
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! /"O L$GE--YR "W >EA4 ,FAILURE 6L9E UP
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  ,SOR5 & ,GYLFIE _H NO IDEA :AT ? [LET
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/RICTLY =BI45 6USE YR [N PELLETS 9 ?
"W40 #DG-B GL>$ AT ,SOR54 ,! [LET B5T H]
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LY QUIET1 H["E4 ,AT C]TA9 9T]VALS1 A L[
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[LS :O MONITOR$ ! "W F OV]H1D L$GES &!
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S;GS 7 SUNG 9 ! SAME HOLL[ T"OS 9 :
#DG-B _H SPOK54 ,B ,SOR5 FELT T !Y 7
SUNG MO/LY 6PROVIDE A RHY?M = _! "W4 ,!
^WS1 HE SUPPOS$1 L _! [N NON-NUMB] "NS1
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SAME L$GE Z ,SOR5 2GAN 6SP1K4 8#AB-A4 ,I
FEEL P]FECT ? MORN+4 ,I H J -PLET$ MY F/
SET ( PELLETS4 ,I AM SURE Y % FEEL P]-
FECT1 TOO1 :5 Y H -PLET$ YR F/ SET4 ,X
IS A FEEL+ ( R>E 3T5T;T 6-PLETE A SET4
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H\R40
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8 P>5TS _H TOLD !M T ! FAMILY ( ,B>N
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-E R>E1 : M1NT "! 7 N _M ( !M4 ,S H[ CD
? [LET'S 3T5T;T 2 R>E IF X HAPP5$ E
MORN+ AT A "PICUL> H\R8
  8,I1 TOO1 FEEL P]FECT40 ,ANO!R [LET N[
SPOKE1 TURN+ T[>D ,GYLFIE ? "T4 ,X 0
NE>LY ! SAME SPEE*4

  ,AT REGUL> 9T]VALS N[1 ! TWO [LS TURN$
ALT]NATELY 6,SOR5 & ,GYLFIE & GAVE %ORT
LL REPORTS ON _! /ATES ( 3T5T;T4     #GA
,ON O3A.N1 ^! REPORTS 2CAME 9T]SP]S$ )
-;TS4 8#BE-B1 = AN [LET ( YR EXCE$+LY
T9Y /ATURE Y H A F9E PO/URE Z Y PECK40
  8,?ANK Y10 ,GYLFIE REPLI$1 & DIPP$ H]
H1D 9 :AT %E ?"\ 0 A DOCILE MANN]4
  8,Y >E MO/ WELCOME1 #BE-B40
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YR B1K "W IS Q ADV.ED4 ,Y "W ) 9DU/RY &
DELICACY40
  8,?ANK Y10 SD ,SOR54 ,& !N = "S R1SON
HE A4$1 8,?ANK Y V M*40
  8,Y'RE WELCOME4 ,B Y NE$ N 2 EXCES-
SIVELY POLITE4 ,X WA/ES 5]GY4 ,POLITE;S
IS XS [N REW>D--J L FLECKS40
  8,:AT >E FLECKS80 ,! "Q SLIPP$ \1 B _M
(! PELLET S;GS REF]R$ 6FLECKS & ,SOR5 CD
N "U/& =! LIFE ( HM :AT !Y W]E4 ,HE "U-
/OOD ! F1!RS & B"OS & TEE? 2+ F.D 9 !
PELLETS1 B :AT 7 ^! MY/]I\S FLECKS8 ,!
TWO [LETS EA* GAVE SMALL PI]C+ %RIEKS T
3TRA/$ %>PLY ) _! USUAL T"OS4 8,"Q AL>M6
,"Q AL>M60 ,TWO F]OCI\S1 D>KLY F1!R$
[LS1 _! GL>+ YELL[ EYES FRAM$ ABV 0D>K
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,SOR54                               #GB
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  ,SOR5 FELT Z IF 8 GIZZ>D 7 DROPP+ 6HIS
TALONS Z ! TWO [LS SO>$ ) HM DANGL+ 2T
!M4 ,!Y 7 TRANSPORT+ HM 9 A MO/ PA9;L
MANN]4 ,EA* "O HELD A W+ 9 8 TALONS & X
0 Z IF HE 7 2+ TORN 9 HALF6 ,& Z !Y SPI-
RAL$ UPW>D 9 ! PELLETORIUM1 ,SOR5 FELT
2N HM N ! CU%ION ( CAPTUR$ AIR ( : 8 "F
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BR,NS T SEEM$ 6PUMMEL HM F 2L4
  8,!Y >E LAU<+ AT Y1 #AB-A4 ,!Y LAU< S
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(! [LS4
  8,Y1 #AB-A10 ! O!R [L 0 SP1K+ N[4 8,Y
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,SOR5 REMA9$ MUTE4 ,NO MATT] H[ _M "QS
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! TIP ( 8 B1K1 HE WD N"E ASK !M4 ,! TWO
[LS _H N[ ALI<T$ ) HM ON A V HI< L$GE T
0 VISI# 6! 5TIRE PELLETORIUM 2L4 ,!
LAU<T] (! [LETS &! SCORES ( MONITORS &
GU>DS RICO*ET$ (F ! /"O WALLS4 ,X FILL$
,SOR5'S H1D )A T]RI# CLATT]4 ,HE ?"\ HE
WD G YOICKS "R "! & />T SCR1M+4      #GC
  8,& N[ =! BE/ MO;T ( ALL 9 LAU<T] !RA-
PY60 ,"! 0 A %RILL SCREE*4 ,! AIR /IRR$1
& ,SK5*1 ! ,ABLAH ,G5]AL1 L&$ NEXT TO
,SOR54 ,& !N ,SK5*'S SECOND-IN-COMM&1
,LIEUT5ANT ,SPOORN1 >RIV$1 EYES D>T+ 9
AMB] GLEE4 .,OH1 .GRT .,GLAUX6 ?"\
,SOR54 .,:AT .N[8

















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             ,,*APT] ,,N9E           #GE
            ,GD ,NURSE ,F9NY

  8,OH1 #AB-A6 ,OH1 MY GD;S6 ,LOOK AT
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  8,:AT HAPP5$80 ,SOR5 ASK$4 ,8 EYES
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YELL[ LI<T ( ,AUNTIE ,F9NY'S EYES4
  8,N[1 N[1 DE>4 ,"QS >E :AT GOT Y 9TO
TR\# 9 ! F/ PLACE4 ,WE'LL H 6BE A LL
/RICT]4 ,ALL Y NE$ 6"K IS T Y 7 NAU<TY &
N[ Y'RE BACK ) ME 9 ! /"O PIT '''0 ,A
S(T BAB# ( SOO?+ HOOTS /R1M$ F ,AUNTIE'S
B1K4 ,B "O "Q AF ! NEXT P.D$ 9SIDE
,SOR5'S H1D4 ,HE NE>LY _H 6CLAMP 8 B1K
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RECON/RUCT :AT _H HAPP5$ 9 8 H1D4 ,"! _H
BE5 ! "Q AL>M1 ! TWO F]OCI\S B1KS1 !
LAU<T]--OH1 ! LAU<T] _H BE5 T]RI#--B :Y
7 8 W+S HURT+ S M*8 ,? "T ! "Q SIMPLY )-
]$ 9 8 M9D1 N 2C HE 0 TOO F"R5$ 6ASK B
2C HE _H TURN$ 8 H1D & SE5 8 W+S4 ,B>E6
8,GRT ,GLAUX60 HE MUTT]$1 & PROMPTLY
FELL OV] ONCE M 9 A FA9T4
  8,N[1 N[60 ,AUNTIE ,F9NY 0         #GF
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^? SILLY LL F1!RS40
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]S10 HE REP1T$1 & 0 AB 6ASK H[ HE WD "E
FLY1 B HE CLAMP$ 8 B1K %UT TI<T4 ,AUNTIE
0 N[ CRU%+ "S?+ 9 H] B1K4 ,%E GAVE A
Y>P-L HI3UP &A PULPY WAD ( SO7Y MOSS
FLEW F H] B1K DIRECTLY ONTO ,SOR5'S W+S4
,X FELT GD & ,SOR5 SI<$4 8,NICE FEEL+1
YES X IS4 ,NO?+ L ? /"O MOSS = CUR+ :AT
AILS Y4 ,N[ Y C CALL ME ,NURSEY40
  8,NURSEY80 ,& !N ,SOR5 CORRECT$ HMF4
8,OH1 ,NURSEY60
  8,Y'RE LE>N+1 DE>4 ,Y'RE LE>N+ FA/4
,"S"TS WE D H 6BE A LL /RICT]4 ,B ,I BET
Y'VE LE>N$ YR LESSON & Y'LL N"E GET
PLUCK$ AG40
  8,PLUCK$60 ,SOR5 GASP$4 ,!Y _H ACTU,Y
PLUCK$ HM8 ,? WASN'T AN A3ID5T8
  8,I "K6 ,I "K :AT Y'RE ?9K+4 ,I RE,Y
DON'T APPROVE4 ,B Y "K ,I H V LL SAY4 ,I
C ONLY D MY BE/ = EA* & E LL [LET 9 MY
PIT4 ,I TRY4 ,I TRY40 ,%E AL :IM-    #GG
P]$4
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FELT -PELL$ 6SAY1 8,AUNTIE ''' ,I M1N1
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OLD ,SN[Y ,[L4 ,V C>E;LLY1 HE 0 GO+ 6TRY
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,NURSEY1 :Y Y >E S NICE "H 9 ! /"O PIT &
!Y >E S AW;L1 ! [LS 9 ! GLAUCIDIUM &!
PELLETORIUM4 ,!Y >E M1N = NO GD R1SON40
  8,AH1 B "! IS A R1SON40
  8,"! IS A R1SON40 ,SOR5'S ^WS 7 FLAT &
C>RI$ NO 9FLEC;N (A "Q4 ,? 0 9DE$ POSSI-
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  8,Y SEE10 ,NURSEY ,F9NY 3T9U$1 8X
BUILDS "*40
  8,X BUILDS "*10 ,SOR5 REP1T$ 9 ! SAME
EV5 T"O4
  8,"? C>E;LLY MET$-\ PUNI%;T & SELF-
D5IAL1 Y % 2 MADE H>DY40 ,NURSEY SPOKE 9
A S+S;G VOICE Z IF %E _H SD ^! SAME ^WS
_M "TS 2F4
  8,DE/ROY+ W+S BUILDS "*4 ,I        #GH
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H9T (! 9CR$UL\S \ ( 8 VOICE4
  8,OH1 YES1 Y D SEE4 ,I AM S PL1S$40
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AW;LLY GD AT ?4
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  8,YES1 YES1 ( C\RSE10 ,SOR5 SD1 TRY+
DESP]ATELY 6KEEP ! R1SONA# T"O 9 8
VOICE4 ,B 9SIDE1 8 GIZZ>D 0 TWIT*+ MAD-
LY1 8 HE>T 0 B1T+ RAPIDLY1 &A D>K PANIC
2GAN 6FILL HM4
  8,OH1 & "H -ES #AB-H4 ,A F9E EXAMPLE (
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  ,SOR5 />$ AT H] ) 9COMPREH5.N4
  8,,DNF1 DE>4 ,X M1NS ,DE/9$ ,N 6,FLY4
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"ND ,HORT5SE1 :O 0 S HAPPY 6RCV H] NUMB]
DESIGN,N 2C %E HAT$ H] "N4 ,%E 0 HOPP+
AB NE>BY4                            #GI
  8,-E "H1 #AB-H4 ,YR F/ NURS+ LESSON10
,AUNTIE TRILL$4
  ,HORT5SE1 OR NUMB] #AB-H1 _H AN EV5
BLANK] LOOK ?AN "E 9 H] EYES4 8,OOH1 A
PATI5T6 ,A PATI5T6 ,%[ ME H[ 6MAKE MOSS
PULP40
  ,F9NY 2GAN 6%[ ! LL [L H[ 6B1K ! MOSS
UNTIL X 0 S(T & SQUI%Y4 ,SOR5 _H 6ADMIT
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FEEL+ M* BETT]4 ,HE OBS]V$ #AB-H C>E;LLY
Z %E APPLI$ ! MOSS -PRESSES4 ,HE WOND]$
:Y %E 0 N DE/9$ = FLI<T4 ,HE C>E;LLY
TRI$ 6FIGURE \ H[ 6GET ! ANSW] )\T ASK+
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