The Bad Beginning

Violet gave a little cry of terror, but flicked the switch on. The entire theater was flooded with light. Everyone blinked and looked around. Mr. Poe let go of his wife. Klaus put Su

``Where did he go?'' Mr. Poe shouted. ``Where did they all go?''

The Baudelaire youngsters looked around and saw that not only had Count Olaf vanished, but his accomplices-the wart-faced man, the hook-handed man, the bald man with the long nose, the enormous person who looked like neither a man nor a woman, and the two white-faced women-had vanished along with him.

``They must have run outside,'' Klaus said, ``while it was still dark.''

Mr. Poe led the way outside, and Justice Strauss and the children followed. Way, way down the block, they could see a long black car driving away into the night. Maybe it contained Count Olaf and his associates. Maybe it didn't. But in any case, it turned a corner and disappeared into the dark city as the children watched without a word.

``Blast it,'' Mr. Poe said. ``They're gone. But don't worry, children, we'll catch them. I'm going to go call the police immediately.''

Violet, Klaus, and Su

``Well, let's go home, children,'' Justice Strauss said. ``We can worry about this in the morning, when I've fixed you a good breakfast.''

Mr. Poe coughed. ``Wait a minute,'' he said, looking down at the floor. ``I'm sorry to tell you this, children, but I ca

``What?'' Violet cried. ``After all Justice Strauss has done for us?''

``We never would have figured out Count Olaf's plan without her and her library,'' Klaus said. ``Without Justice Strauss, we would have lost our lives.''

``That may be so,'' Mr. Poe said, ``and I thank Justice Strauss for her generosity, but your parents' will is very specific. You must be adopted by a relative. Tonight you will stay with me in my home, and tomorrow I shall go to the bank and figure out what to do with you. I'm sorry, but that is the way it is.''

The children looked at Justice Strauss, who sighed heavily and hugged each of the Baudelaire youngsters in turn. ``Mr. Poe is right,'' she said sadly. ``He must respect your parents' wishes. Don't you want to do what your parents wanted, children?''

Violet, Klaus, and Su

``I will miss you, too,'' she said, and her eyes filled with tears once more. Then they each gave Justice Strauss one last embrace, and followed Mr. and Mrs. Poe to their car. The Baudelaire orphans piled into the backseat, and peered out the back window at Justice Strauss, who was crying and waving to them. Ahead of them were the darkened streets, where Count Olaf had escaped to plan more treachery. Behind them was the kind judge, who had taken such an interest in the three children. To Violet, Klaus, and Su

Lemony Snicket was born in a small town where the inhabitants were suspicious and prone to riot. He now lives in the city. During his spare time he gathers Evidence and is considered something of an expert by leading authorities. These are his first books for Harper Collins.

To My Kind Editor;

I am writing to you from the London branch of the Herpetological Society, where I am trying to find out what happened to the reptile collection of Dr. Montgomery Montgomery following the tragic events that occurred while the Baudelaire orphans were in his care.

An associate of mine will place a small waterproof box in the phone booth of the Elektra Hotel at 11 P.M. next Tuesday. Please retrieve it before Midnight to avoid it falling into the wrong hands. In the box you will find my description of these terrible events, entitled The Reptile Room, as well as a map of Lousy Lane, a copy of the film Zombies in the Snow., and Dr. Montgomery's recipe for coconut cream cake. I have also managed to track down one of the few photographs of Dr. Lucafont, In order to help Mr. Helquist with his illustrations.

Remember, you are my last hope that the tales of the Baudelaire orphans can finally be told to the general public.

With all due respect,

Lemony Snicket

LEMONY SNICKET

LEMONY SNICKET grew up near the sea and currently lives beneath it. To his horror and dismay he has no wife or children, only enemies, associates, and the occasional loyal manservant. His trial has been delayed, so he is free to continue researching and writing the tragic tales of the Baudelaire orphans for HarperCollins.

Visit him on the Web at www.harperchildrens.com/lsnicket/ or E-mail to I [email protected] /* */