Chapter 16 – Alone in the City

A man could be found that next morning walking in the banking district. His bowler hat and his jacket made him look like everybody else on that busy street. He had a tired look about him and, instead of rushing about, he walked slowly and shuffled his feet. His eyes were downcast, as if his glasses enabled him to see the subway underneath the street. All the people rushing to work scarcely noticed the young man; instead, they just rushed around him like he was a tree or a streetlamp.

That was exactly how he liked it. He didn't want to be noticed.

A used newspaper fluttered about the sidewalk until it got caught on the man's ankles. He picked up the newspaper and if someone had been watching him, they would have noticed that there was an odd tattoo on his ankle. He sat on the edge of the large fountain and read the front-page article.

GRAND ARSONIST ON THE LOOSE

For the second time this month, a building has been deliberately set on fire. Earlier this month, a small cottage was burned to the ground. Yesterday, the Les Comedies Theatre was also burned. Damage was extensive, since the fire occurred after business hours and no one could reach a pay phone immediately. Both fires, luckily, did not have any casualties.

There was a mysterious person at both of the sites. Pictures of the person are shown above and were taken by amateur photographers who wish to remain anonymous. This man in the pictures is now considered a prime suspect. He is considered dangerous. His age is estimated at about 'tall with brown eyes', and he may or may not wear any shoes. If you have seen anyone matching this description, please contact your local law enforcement officials immediately.

The man half smiled as he adjusted his glasses and looked at the pictures in the paper. The one on the left was a blurry one that had been used in a previous article, while the other one was crisper, but too dark to make out the figure in the foreground. A burning building was just visible in the background of the second picture.

The man crumpled up the newspaper and threw it into a nearby trashcan. Nobody on that crowded street would be able to recognize who he was.

His name was Lemony Snicket, and he was the one everyone was looking for. He had been wandering around the many districts of the town and was currently in the banking district. He had figured that he could walk about freely since the bankers were too busy to notice him.

Since he had left so late at night, he hadn't gotten very much sleep. He considered taking a short nap right there by the fountain, but he decided against it.

"They wouldn't notice someone just walking around, but I'm sure they would notice someone sleeping out in the open," he thought. He stood up, ready to wander on. "Maybe I'll be able to catch a nap at the library," he thought to himself. "I bet I'll be able to do some research there to clear my name, too."

Lemony shuffled on towards the library.

That same morning, Jacques woke up. He was, for the first time in weeks, actually staying in his room in the V.F.D. headquarters. He was sleeping late, since he arrived a little bit late at night. He woke up to the fall sunshine peeking through the blinds and landing softly on his cheeks. Slowly, he opened his eyes, sat up, and looked through the window at the falling leaves.

He rubbed his eyes and, looking around, noticed that he had received several messages. Since each one came on a separate piece of paper on top of each other, he read them in reverse order.

To: J.S.

From: D.B.

I am late to the meeting STOP Will you tell Beatrice that I'll be late STOP I know you are always up early so you will be able to tell her STOP I hate using these stops STOP

Jacques was puzzled about this note, since he had not heard about a meeting. He reached for the next message.

To: J.S.

From: B.T.

Urgent STOP Have you heard about L.S. yet STOP I have scheduled a meeting for nine o'clock STOP This is urgent and K.S., S.B., D.B., S.Q., and D.Q. to attend STOP I really hate using these stops STOP

He glanced at his alarm clock. "Eight fifty-nine," he thought. "Oh, great. I'm gonna be late to this meeting thing." Since he was already going to be late, he yawned and picked up the final telegram.

To: J.S.

From: L.S.

Do not believe what you read in the Daily Punctilio STOP It is simply not true STOP I did not set those fires STOP Please help me STOP I have no idea what to do STOP I'm scared STOP P.S. These stops are really annoying STOP

This final telegram worried Jacques. "Oh, no," he thought. "Is Lemony in trouble?" He looked at the final two telegrams and, figuring that Beatrice and the others knew something about Lemony, rushed to the meeting to find out if something was wrong.

By the time Jacques rushed into the library, Kit, Beatrice, and the Quagmires were already sitting in armchairs and talking quietly.

"I just woke up. What happened?" asked Jacque as he walked in.

"Lemony's gone missing," said Samantha. "He left the dairy last night."

"Apparently there is no evidence of foul play in his disappearance, but we think we know why he left," said Daniel. Just then, Sarah and Dorian walked in late.

"Sorry," Dorian apologized. "We had to drop Violet and Klaus off at school. So what's going on?"

"Take a look at this," said Kit as she handed the friends the copy of the Daily Punctilio.

"He must've been framed!" exclaimed Dorian after he glanced through the article.

"It's quite possible," said Beatrice. "My research shows that the theater which burned down was the one that Lemony visited for his job. It would've been easy for anyone to track him down."

"After all," added Kit. "Out of all the theaters in the district, why else would someone pick that particular one?"

"It must've been Olaf!" exclaimed Daniel. "He must still be looking for the file!"

"We have to find him before Olaf does!" Beatrice said. "Jacques, look through the city for any sign of him. Kit, search the coast. Everybody else, just try to find information about Lemony's whereabouts to add to the file. If you find anything, send me a message. We have to make sure he's safe," she said quietly. Only Kit noticed the tear of worry rolling down her cheek.