Hey guys, sorry I haven't posted in a while. I wanted to post something on Dylan Kingwell's birthday (July 6), but that never happened. Anyway, enjoy the chapter after a short review response.

JustVildaPotter: Thanks so much!

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Chapter Four

"There may or may not have been a locked cupboard where our parents kept birthday presents," Isadora told her friends as they walked briskly to the Library of Records. "Servants are remarkably easy to distract."

Certain assumptions can be made about people when they share things without telling the whole story. For instance, if I told someone about my deep hatred of bananas without telling the whole story, that person might make the assumption that I am a picky eater, because they do not know that I have had the misfortune to be a part of a very unfortunate accident involving a banana.

When you hear Isadora say what she said to the Baudelaires; you, as the Baudelaire children were, might be making the assumption that the Quagmire triplets were in truth spoiled children with nothing better to do than torment household servants, rather than the kind and generous friends they had previously thought them to be. But as I said, neither you nor the Baudelaire orphans know the whole story.

The whole story, however, is better saved for another time, as I must return to the scene I am writing before my enemies (and the oncoming storm) catch up to me.

Violet unlocked the library door, and the five companions stood, wondering where to begin. "Hal said he had specific instructions on where to file anything labeled Snicket. So maybe 'S' for 'Snicket'".

"Or 'J', for 'Jacques'," Klaus suggested.

"Or," Isadora said, in a tone implying the obvious choice, "we could start with 'V'."

"V.F.D.!" Sunny squeaked, and the orphans headed for the 'V' aisle.

Violet located and unlocked the proper filing cabinet, and quickly scanned the files. With a triumphant cry of "Got it!" she pulled out the film.

Duncan had already set up a projector at the other end of the room. Violet handed him the film, and watched to make sure he put it in correctly. He did, and an image of a familiar man flickered to life on the wall in front of the children. Jacques Snicket.

"Before we begin, I have an important update," Jacques said to the interviewer. "It appears there may have been a survivor of the fire."

"Which fire?" Isadora and Klaus whispered in surprised unison.

"Orphans! Come out, come out wherever you are!" shrieked the voice of a woman.

The children had been so focused on the task that they hadn't heard the library door open, announcing the arrival of the dreaded Esmé Squalor.

"Duncan, Klaus, Izzy, take Sunny and head for the OUT chute. I'll pack this up and meet you there," Violet said, turning off the projector and beginning to roll up the film. Isadora picked up Sunny, and ran towards the outgoing file chute; followed closely by Klaus and Duncan.

"You have something I want!" Esmé's voice echoed off the walls, her stiletto heels clicking on the floor as she came closer to the orphans. "It's small, round." Esmé cursed as one of her heels got stuck in the floor. "Full of secrets."

Isadora pulled the chute open and deposited Sunny inside. Klaus followed. "Duncan, you next." Isadora held the chute open for her brother. There was a loud crash as Esmé knocked over a row of file cabinets.

"No," Duncan said, glancing in the direction of the projectors.

"What do you mean, no?"

Duncan reached into his pocket and pulled out his dark green notebook, which he handed to his sister. "I mean no, as in the word for a negative response. I've got to buy Violet some time." He pushed Isadora toward the chute.

"No, you don't. I'm not losing you too." Isadora tried to force the notebook back into her brother's hand.

"I'm sorry, Iz." Duncan pushed his sister and his notebook into the OUT chute, just as Esmé sent a row of filing cabinets crashing into it. "Hey Esmé! I hear orphans are IN!"

"Duncan, what are you doing?" Violet cried.

And then she screamed, the sound piercing the air, leaving nothing but silence in its wake.

That's a wrap! Please review if you liked the chapter.

Thanks to everyone who followed and added this story to their favorites. I'll try to have another chapter up soon. Until then, have a Very Fine Day!