Continuum normalized spectra along the lensed QSO sightlines HE 0435−1223 A, B, C, D, at d = 7.5, 6.7, 7.5, and 6.2 kpc (or 1.7, 1.5, 1.7, 1.4 r_e), respectively. Zero velocity corresponds to the systemic redshift of the lensing galaxy at z = 0.454. The 1σ error spectrum is included in thin, cyan curve above the zero flux level. Contaminating features have been dotted out for clarity. In stark contrast to the ultrastrong Mg ii absorber detected along both sightlines of HE 0047−1756 (Fig. 5), none of the four sightlines near the HE 0435−1223 lens reveals any cool gas.