Lemony Snicket 01 The Bad Beginning

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.By the time the light outside grew gray with the approaching dawn, Klaus hadPage 23ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlfound37out all he needed to know.His hopes rose along with the sun.Finally, whenthe first few birds began to sing, Klaus tiptoed to the door of the bedroomand eased it open quietly, careful not to wake the restless Violet or Sunny,who was still hidden in the pile of curtains.Then he went to the kitchen andsat and waited for Count Olaf.He didn't have to wait long before he heard Olaf tromping down the towerstairs.When Count Olaf walked into the kitchen, he saw Klaus sitting at the table andsmirked, a word which here means "smiled in an unfriendly, phony way.""Hello, orphan," he said."You're up early."Klaus's heart was beating fast, but he felt calm on the outside, as if he hadon a layer of invisible armor."I've been up all night," he said, "readingthis book." He put the book out on the table so Olaf could see it."It'scalledNuptial Law, " Klaus said, "and Ilearned many interesting things while reading it."Count Olaf had taken out a bottle of wine to pour himself some breakfast, butwhen he saw the book he stopped, and sat down."The word 'nuptial,'" Klaus said, "means 'relating to marriage.'""Iknow what the word means," Count Olaf growled."Where did you get that book?""From Justice Strauss's library," Klaus said."But that's not important.What's important is that I have found out your plan.", "Is that so?" CountOlaf said, his one eyebrow raising."And what is my plan, you little runt?"Klaus ignored the insult and opened the book to where one of the scraps ofpaper was marking his place."'The laws of marriage in this community are verysimple,'" he read out loud."'The requirements are as follows: the presence of a judge, a statement of "Ido" by both the bride and the groom, and the signing of an explanatorydocument in the bride's own hand.", Klaus put down the book and pointed atCount Olaf."If my sister says 'I do'and signs a piece of paper, while Justice Strauss is in the room, then she islegally married.This play you're putting on shouldn't be calledThe Marvelous Marriage.It should be calledThe Menacing Marriage.You're not going to marry Violet figuratively you're going to marry herliterally! This play won't be pretend; it will be real and legally binding."Count Olaf laughed a rough, hoarse laugh."Your sister isn't old enough to get married.""She can get married if she has the permission of her legal guardian, actingin loco parentis," Klaus said."I read that, too.You can't fool me.""Why in the world would I want to actually marry your sister?" Count Olafasked."It is true she is very pretty, but a man like myself can acquire anynumber of beautiful38women."Klaus turned to a different section ofNuptial Law."'A legal husband,'" he read out loud, "'has the right to control any money inthe possession of his legal wife.'" Klaus gazed at Count Olaf in triumph."You're going to marry my sister to gain control of theBaudelaire fortune! Or at least, that's what you planned to do.But when Ishow this information to Mr.Poe, your play will not be performed, and youPage 24ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlwill go to jail!"Count Olaf's eyes grew very shiny, but he continued to smirk at Klaus.Thiswas surprising.Klaus had guessed that once he announced what he knew, thisdreadful man would have been very angry, even violent.After all, he'd had afurious outburst just because he'd wanted roast beef instead of puttanescasauce.Surely he'd be even more enraged to have his plan discovered.But CountOlaf just sat there as calmly as if they were discussing the weather."I guess you've found me out," Olaf said simply."I suppose you're right: I'llgo to prison, and you and the other orphans will go free.Now, why don't yourun up to your room and wake your sisters? I'm sure they'll want to know allabout your grand victory over my evil ways."Klaus looked closely at Count Olaf, who was continuing to smile as if he hadjust told a clever joke.Why wasn't he threatening Klaus in anger, or tearinghis hair out in frustration, or running to pack his clothes and escape? Thiswasn't happening at all the way Klaus had pictured it."Well, Iwill go tell my sisters," he said, and walked back into his bedroom.Violetwas still dozing on the bed and Sunny was still hidden beneath the curtains.Klaus wokeViolet up first."I stayed up all night reading," Klaus said breathlessly, as his sister openedher eyes, "and I discovered what Count Olaf is up to.He plans to marry youfor real, when you and Justice Strauss and everyone all think it's just aplay, and once he's your husband he'll have control of our parents' money andhe can dispose of us.""How can he marry me for real?" Violet asked."It's only a play.""The only legal requirements of marriage in this community," Klaus explained,holding upNuptial Law to show his sister where he'd learned the information, "are yoursaying 'I do,' and signing a document in your own hand in the presence of ajudge likeJustice Strauss!""But surely I'm not old enough to get married," Violet said."I'm onlyfourteen.""Girls under the age of eighteen," Klaus said, flipping to another part of thebook, "can marry if they have the permission of their legal guardian.That'sCount Olaf.""Oh no!" Violet cried [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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