Inside the Shadow City Read Online Free PDF Page A

graves?” I asked, searching for tombstones.
    â€œThey are underground, of course.” Verushka laughed. “The square blocks of marble you see in the grass? These are the entrances to the vaults. There are dozens of tombs beneath the ground. It is a village of the dead.”
    â€œHow can I get down there?” I asked, thrilled to find a way beneath the streets.
    â€œYou cannot. Only the families of the dead are allowed inside the Marble Cemetery—and no one has been buried here for many years. But you can step onto the fire escape if you would like a better look.”
    I opened the storeroom window and was struck by a blast of icy wind. The fire escape was swinging from side to side. I glanced back at Verushka, who shook her head in disappointment.
    â€œYou cannot catch fish if you are afraid of the water,” she chided me.
    I hit my head on the windowsill as I crawled onto the fire escape, and it took a few moments for the dizzinessto pass. Once I could focus on the graveyard below, I found it hard to imagine that so impressive a space could remain hidden in the middle of Manhattan. The grass was a surreal shade of green one sees alongside Scottish castles, the color made more vivid by the dreariness of the surroundings.
    As I gaped in amazement, the unmistakable sound of a key scraping against a lock echoed through the cemetery. From the fire escape, I could see everything but the small section that lay beneath my feet. Dropping to my knees, I peered through the iron bars and caught sight of someone opening the gate that hid the graveyard from the bustle of Second Avenue. A relative of the dead, I assumed at first, but there was something about the person’s size and the unusual color of her hair that almost knocked me off balance and over the side of the fire escape. The gate swung shut and the person disappeared from view. Though I hadn’t seen her face, by the time I crawled back inside the storeroom, I was convinced that the person in question was none other than Kiki Strike.
    â€œThere was a girl in the cemetery,” I whispered to Verushka.
    â€œHow odd,” she remarked, showing no sign of surprise.
HOW TO CATCH A LIE
    One of the most important skills you can learn is how to recognize a lie when you hear one. Over the years, I’ve encountered enemies who tried to lead me astray and imposters who wanted to swindle me. In each case, I’ve been able to see through their deceptions, and I can assure you that the truth did not set them free.
    Identifying a lie is not always easy. As you may have noticed, peoplewho make a habit of lying are often quite good at it. But if you suspect you’re being hoodwinked, don’t say a word. Just pay attention. The following clues should tell you if someone’s trying to pull the wool over your eyes.
    Listen to Her Voice
    A liar is a person with something to hide. And no matter what that something may be, it’s probably weighing heavily on her mind. As a result, a liar must make an effort to avoid giving too much away. She’ll speak more slowly and pause before answering questions. As she grows more anxious, her voice may start to sound higher. When she does respond, she’ll be careful not to offer specific information and may say something vague like, “I couldn’t have murdered Hank. I was busy that day.”
    Study Her Face
    Most people are terrible actors. A liar may have her story straight, but if she can’t control her face, she’ll be as easy to spot as a soap opera star in a Shakespeare play. A person who’s telling the truth will laugh, grimace, or cry when appropriate, but a liar may have to think about it first. She may even be concentrating so hard on what to do that she’ll blink less and hold her head unnaturally still.
    See if She Squirms
    When it comes to body language, there are two types of liars—the fidgeters and the control freaks. The fidgeters can’t sit