Read Online A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket - Free Book Online Page B

Mr. Poe called, as he and the children approached. "I am Dr. Lucafont," the tall man said, pointing to himself with a big, solid hand. "I received a call that there's been a terrible accident involving a snake." "You're here already?" Mr. Poe asked. "But Stephano has scarcely had time to call, let alone for you to drive here." "I believe that speed is of the essence in an emergency, don't you?" Dr. Lucafont said. "If an autopsy is to be performed, it should be done immediately." "Of course, of course," Mr. Poe said quickly. "I was just surprised." "Where is the body?" Dr. Lucafont asked, walking toward the door. "Stephano can tell you," Mr. Poe said, opening the door of the house. Stephano was waiting in the entryway, holding a coffeepot. "I'm going to make some coffee," he said. "Who wants some?" "I'll have a cup," Dr. Lucafont said. "Nothing like a hearty cup of coffee before starting the day's work." Mr. Poe frowned. "Shouldn't you take a look at Dr. Montgomery first?" "Yes, Dr. Lucafont," Stephano said. "Time is of the essence in an emergency, don't you think?" "Yes, yes, I suppose you're right," Dr. Lucafont said. "Poor Dr. Montgomery is in the Reptile Room," Stephano said, gesturing to where the Baudelaires' guardian still lay. "Please do a thorough examination, and then you may have some coffee." "You're the boss," Dr. Lucafont said, opening the door of the Reptile Room with an oddly stiff hand. Stephano led Mr. Poe into the kitchen, and the Baudelaires glumly followed. When one feels useless and unable to help, one can use the expression "feeling like a fifth wheel," because if something has four wheels, such as a wagon or a car, there is no real need for a fifth. As Stephano brewed coffee for the adults, the three children sat down at the kitchen table where they had first had coconut cake with Uncle Monty just a short time ago, and Violet, Klaus, and Sunny felt like fifth, sixth, and seventh wheels on a car that was going the wrong direction-toward Hazy Harbor, and the departing Prospero. "When I spoke to Dr. Lucafont on the phone," Stephano said, "I told him about the accident with your car. When he is done with his medical examination, he will drive you into town to get a mechanic and I will stay here with the orphans." "No," Klaus said firmly. "We are not staying alone with him for an instant." Mr. Poe smiled as Stephano poured him a cup of coffee, and looked sternly at Klaus. "Klaus, I realize you are very upset, but it is inexcusable for you to keep treating Stephano so rudely. Please apologize to him at once." "No!" Klaus cried. "That's quite all right, Mr. Yoe," Stephano said soothingly. "The children are upset over Dr. Montgomery's murder, so I don't expect them to be on their best behavior." "Murder?" Violet said. She turned to Stephano and tried to look as if she were merely politely curious, instead of enraged. "Why did you say murder, Stephano?" Stephano's face darkened, and his hands clenched at his sides. It looked like there was nothing he wanted to do more than scratch out Violet's eyes. "I misspoke," he said finally. "Of course he did," Mr. Poe said, sipping from his cup. "But the children can come with Dr. Lucafont and me if they feel more comfortable that way." "I'm not sure they will fit," Stephano said, his eyes shining. "It's a very small car. But if the orphans would rather, they could come with me in the jeep and we could follow you and Dr. Lucafont to the mechanic." The three orphans looked at one another and thought hard. Their situation seemed like a game, although this game had desperately high stakes. The object of the game was not to end up alone with Stephano, for when they did, he would whisk them away on the Prospero. What would happen then, when they were alone in Peru with such a greedy and despicable person, they did not want to think about. What they had to think about was stopping it from happening. It seemed incredible that their very lives hinged on a carpooling conversation,