#AIBF                 #A
            ,,%]LOCK ,,HOLMES
     ,,! ,,ADV5TURE ,,( ,,! ,,BLAN*$
                 ,,SOLDI]
        0,SIR ,>?UR ,CONAN ,DOYLE

  ,! ID1S ( MY FR ,WATSON1 ?\< LIMIT$1 >E
EXCE$+LY P]T9ACI\S4 ,=A L;G "T HE HAS
WORRI$ ME 6WRITE AN EXP]I;E ( MY [N4 ,P]H
,I H R 9VIT$ ? P]SECU;N1 S9CE ,I H (T5 _H
O3A.N 6PO9T \ 6HM H[ SUP]FICIAL >E 8 [N
A3.TS & 6A3USE HM ( P&]+ 6POPUL> TA/E 9/1D
( 3F9+ HMF RIGIDLY 6FACTS & FIGURES4 8,TRY
X YRF1 ,HOLMES60 HE HAS RETORT$1 & ,I AM
-PELL$ 6ADMIT T1 HAV+ TAK5 MY P5 9 MY H&1
,I D 2G9 6R1LIZE T ! MATT] M/ 2 PRES5T$ 9
S* A WAY Z MAY 9T]E/ ! R1D]4 ,! FOLL[+
CASE C H>DLY FAIL 6D S1 Z X IS AM;G !
/RANGE/ HAPP5+S 9 MY COLLEC;N1 ?\< X *.ED
T ,WATSON _H NO NOTE ( X 9 8 COLLEC;N4
,SP1K+ ( MY OLD FR & BIOGRAPH]1 ,I WD TAKE
? OPPORTUN;Y 6REM>K T IF ,I BURD5 MYF )A
-PANION 9 MY V>I\S LL 9QUIRIES X IS N D"O
\ ( S5TI;T OR CAPRICE1 B X IS T ,WATSON
HAS "S REM>KA# "*I/ICS ( 8 [N 6: 9 8MODE/Y HE HAS GIV5 SMALL ATT5;N AMID    #B
8 EXA7]AT$ E/IMATES ( MY [N P]=M.ES4 ,A
3F$]ATE :O =ESEES YR 3CLU.NS & C\RSE (
AC;N IS ALW DANG]\S1 B "O 6:OM EA*
DEVELOP;T -ES Z A P]PETUAL SURPRISE1 &
6:OM ! FUTURE IS ALW A CLOS$ BOOK1 IS 9DE$
AN ID1L HELPMATE4
  ,I F9D F MY NOTEBOOK T X 0 9 ,JANU>Y1
#AIJC1 J AF ! 3CLU.N (! ,BOER ,W>1 T ,I _H
MY VISIT F ,MR4 ,JAMES ,M4 ,DODD1 A BIG1
FRE%1 SUNBURN$1 UP/&+ ,BRITON4 ,! GD
,WATSON _H AT T "T DES]T$ ME =A WIFE1 !
ONLY SELFI% AC;N : ,I C RECALL 9 \R
ASSOCI,N4 ,I 0 AL"O4
  ,X IS MY HABIT 6SIT ) MY BACK 6! W9D[ &
6PLACE MY VISITORS 9 ! OPPOSITE *AIR1 ": !
LI<T FALLS FULL ^U !M4 ,MR4 ,JAMES ,M4
,DODD SEEM$ "S:AT AT A LOSS H[ 62G9 !
9T]VIEW4 ,I DID N ATTEMPT 6HELP HM1 = 8
SIL;E GAVE ME M "T = OBS]V,N4 ,I H F.D X
WISE 6IMPRESS CLI5TS )A S5SE ( P[]1 & S ,I
GAVE HM "S ( MY 3CLU.NS4
  8,F ,S\? ,AFRICA1 SIR1 ,I P]CV40
  8,YES1 SIR10 HE ANSW]$1 ) "S SURPRISE4
  8,IMP]IAL ,YEOMANRY1 ,I FANCY40  8,EXACTLY40                           #C
  8,MI4LESEX ,CORPS1 NO D\BT40
  8,T IS S4 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 Y >E A WIZ>D40
  ,I SMIL$ AT 8 2WILD]$ EXPRES.N4
  8,:5 A G5TLEMAN ( VIRILE APPE>.E 5T]S MY
ROOM ) S* TAN ^U 8 FACE Z AN ,5GLI% SUN CD
N"E GIVE1 &) 8 H&K]*IEF 9 8 SLEEVE 9/1D (
9 8 POCKET1 X IS N DI6ICULT 6PLACE HM4 ,Y
WE> A %ORT BE>D1 : %[S T Y 7 N A REGUL>4
,Y H ! CUT (A RID+-MAN4 ,Z 6,MI4LESEX1 YR
C>D HAS ALR %[N ME T Y >E A /OCKBROK] F
,?ROGMORTON ,/REET4 ,:AT O!R REGI;T WD Y
JO980
  8,Y SEE "EY?+40
  8,I SEE NO M ?AN Y1 B ,I H TRA9$ MYF
6NOTICE :AT ,I SEE4 ,H["E1 ,MR4 ,DODD1 X 0
N 64CUSS ! SCI;E ( OBS]V,N T Y CALL$ ^U ME
? MORN+4 ,:AT HAS BE5 HAPP5+ AT ,TUXBURY
,OLD ,P>K80
  8,MR4 ,HOLMES-60
  8,MY DE> SIR1 "! IS NO MY/]Y4 ,YR LR
CAME ) T H1D+1 & Z Y FIX$ ? APPO9T;T 9 V
PRESS+ T]MS X 0 CLE> T "S?+ SU45 &
IMPORTANT _H O3URR$40
  8,YES1 9DE$4 ,B ! LR 0 WRITT5 9 ! AFN1 &A GD D1L HAS HAPP5$ S9CE1 !N4 ,IF       #D
,COLONEL ,EMSWOR? _H N KICK$ ME \-0
  8,KICK$ Y \60
  8,WELL T 0 :AT X AM.T$ TO4 ,HE IS A H>D
NAIL1 IS ,COLONEL ,EMSWOR?4 ,! GRTE/
M>T9ET 9 ! ,>MY 9 8 "D1 & X 0 A "D ( R\<
LANGUAGE1 TOO4 ,I CDN'T H /UCK ! COLONEL
IF X _H N BE5 = ,GODFREY'S SAKE40
  ,I LIT MY PIPE & L1N$ BACK 9 MY *AIR4
  8,P]H Y W EXPLA9 :AT Y >E TALK+ AB40
  ,MY CLI5T GR9N$ MIS*IEV\SLY4
  8,I _H GOT 96! WAY ( SUPPOS+ T Y KNEW
"EY?+ )\T 2+ TOLD10 SD HE4 8,B ,I W GIVE Y
! FACTS1 & ,I HOPE 6,GOD T Y W 2 A# 6TELL
ME :AT !Y M1N4 ,I'VE BE5 AWAKE ALL NI<T
PUZZL+ MY BRA91 &! M ,I ?9K ! M 9CR$I#
DOES X 2COME4
  8,:5 ,I JO9$ UP 9 ,JANU>Y1 #AIJA- J TWO
YE>S AGO- "Y ,GODFREY ,EMSWOR? _H JO9$ !
SAME SQUADRON4 ,HE 0 ,COLONEL ,EMSWOR?'S
ONLY SON- ,EMSWOR?1 ! ,CRIM1N ,V4,C4- & HE
_H ! FI<T+ BLOOD 9 HM1 S X IS NO WOND] HE
VOLUNTE]$4 ,"! 0 N A F9] LAD 9 ! REGI;T4
,WE =M$ A FR%IP- ! SORT ( FR%IP : C ONLY 2
MADE :5 "O LIVES ! SAME LIFE & %>ES ! SAMEJOYS & SORR[S4 ,HE 0 MY MATE- & T       #E
M1NS A GD D1L 9 ! ,>MY4 ,WE TOOK ! R\< &!
SMOO? TGR =A YE> ( H>D FI<T+4 ,!N HE 0 HIT
)A BULLET F AN ELEPHANT GUN 9 ! AC;N NE>
,DIAMOND ,HILL \TSIDE ,PRETORIA4 ,I GOT "O
LR F ! HOSPITAL AT ,CAPE ,T[N & "O F ,S\?
,HAMPTON4 ,S9CE !N N A ^W- N "O ^W1 ,MR4
,HOLMES1 = SIX MON?S & M1 & HE MY CLOSE/
PAL4
  8,WELL1 :5 ! W> 0 OV]1 & WE ALL GOT
BACK1 ,I WROTE 6HIS "F & ASK$ ": ,GODFREY
WAS4 ,NO ANSW]4 ,I WAIT$ A BIT & !N ,I
WROTE AG4 ,? "T ,I _H A REPLY1 %ORT &
GRUFF4 ,GODFREY _H G"O ON A VOYAGE R.D !
_W1 & X 0 N LIKELY T HE WD 2 BACK =A YE>4
,T 0 ALL4
  8,I WASN'T SATISFI$1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES4 ,!
:OLE ?+ SEEM$ 6ME S DAMN$ UNNATURAL4 ,HE 0
A GD LAD1 & HE WD N DROP A PAL L T4 ,X 0 N
L HM4 ,!N1 AG1 ,I HAPP5$ 6"K T HE 0 HEIR
6A LOT ( M"OY1 & AL T 8 "F & HE DID N ALW
HIT X (F TOO WELL4 ,! OLD MAN 0 "S"TS A
BULLY1 & "Y ,GODFREY _H TOO M* _S 6/& X4
,NO1 ,I WASN'T SATISFI$1 & ,I DET]M9$ T ,I
WD GET 6! ROOT (! MATT]4 ,X HAPP5$1 H["E1T MY [N A6AIRS NE$$ A LOT ( /RAI<T5+    #F
\1 AF TWO YE>S' ABS;E1 & S X IS ONLY ?
WEEK T ,I H BE5 A# 6TAKE UP ,GODFREY'S
CASE AG4 ,B S9CE ,I H TAK5 X UP ,I M1N
6DROP "EY?+ 9 ORD] 6SEE X "?40
  ,MR4 ,JAMES ,M4 ,DODD APPE>$ 6BE ! SORT
( P]SON :OM X WD 2 BETT] 6H Z A FR ?AN Z
AN 5EMY4 ,8 BLUE EYES 7 /]N & 8 SQU>E JAW
_H SET H>D Z HE SPOKE4
  8,WELL1 :AT H Y D"O80 ,I ASK$4
  8,MY F/ MOVE 0 6GET D[N 6HIS HOME1
,TUXBURY ,OLD ,P>K1 NE> ,B$=D1 & 6SEE =
MYF H[ ! GR.D LAY4 ,I WROTE 6! "M1 "!=E-
,I _H _H Q 5 (! CURMUDGEON (A "F- & ,I
MADE A CL1N FRONTAL ATTACK3 ,GODFREY 0 MY
*UM1 ,I _H A GRT D1L ( 9T]E/ : ,I MI<T
TELL H] ( \R -MON EXP]I;ES1 ,I %D 2 9 !
NEI<B\RHOOD1 WD "! 2 ANY OBJEC;N1 ET
CET]A8 ,9 REPLY ,I _H Q AN AMIA# ANSW] F
H] & AN (F] 6PUT ME UP =! NI<T4 ,T 0 :AT
TOOK ME D[N ON ,MON"D4
  8,TUXBURY ,OLD ,HALL IS 9A3ESSI#- FIVE
MILES F ANY":4 ,"! 0 NO TRAP AT ! /,N1 S
,I _H 6WALK1 C>RY+ MY SUITCASE1 & X 0
NE>LY D>K 2F ,I >RIV$4 ,X IS A GRT W&]+H\SE1 /&+ 9 A 3SID]A# P>K4 ,I %D        #G
JUDGE X 0 ( ALL SORTS ( AGES & /YLES1 />T+
ON A HALF-TIMB]$ ,ELIZABE?AN F.D,N & 5D+ 9
A ,VICTORIAN PORTICO4 ,9SIDE X 0 ALL
PANELL+ & TAPE/RY & HALF-E6AC$ OLD
PICTURES1 A H\SE ( %AD[S & MY/]Y4 ,"! 0 A
BUTL]1 OLD ,RALPH1 :O SEEM$ AB ! SAME AGE
Z ! H\SE1 & "! 0 8 WIFE1 :O MI<T H BE5
OLD]4 ,%E _H BE5 ,GODFREY'S NURSE1 & ,I _H
HE>D HM SP1K ( H] Z SECOND ONLY 6HIS "M 9
8 A6EC;NS1 S ,I 0 DRAWN 6H] 9 SPITE ( H]
QUE] APPE>.E4 ,! "M ,I LIK$ AL- A G5TLE LL
:ITE M\SE (A WOMAN4 ,X 0 ONLY ! COLONEL
HMF :OM ,I B>R$4
  8,WE _H A BIT ( B>NEY "R AWAY1 & ,I %D H
WALK$ BACK 6! /,N IF ,I _H N FELT T X MI<T
2 PLAY+ 8 GAME = ME 6D S4 ,I 0 %[N /RAI<T
96HIS /UDY1 & "! ,I F.D HM1 A HUGE1 B[-
BACK$ MAN )A SMOKY SK9 &A /RA7L+ GRAY
BE>D1 S1T$ 2H 8 LITT]$ DESK4 ,A R$-VE9$
NOSE JUTT$ \ L A VULTURE'S B1K1 & TWO
FI]CE GRAY EYES GL>$ AT ME F "U TUFT$
BR[S4 ,I CD "U/& N[ :Y ,GODFREY SELDOM
SPOKE ( 8 "F4
  8,8,WELL1 SIR10' SD HE 9 A RASP+ VOICE1,8,I %D 2 9T]E/$ 6"K ! R1L R1SONS = ?   #H
VISIT40'
  8,I ANSW]$ T ,I _H EXPLA9$ !M 9 MY LR
6HIS WIFE4
  8,8,YES1 YES1 Y SD T Y _H "KN ,GODFREY 9
,AFRICA4 ,WE H1 ( C\RSE1 ONLY YR ^W = T40'
  8,8,I H 8 LRS 6ME 9 MY POCKET40'
  8,8,K9DLY LET ME SEE !M40'
  8,HE GL.ED AT ! TWO : ,I H&$ HM1 & !N HE
TOSS$ !M BACK4
  8,8,WELL1 :AT !N80' HE ASK$4
  8,8,I 0 FOND ( YR SON ,GODFREY1 SIR4 ,_M
TIES & MEMORIES UNIT$ U4 ,IS X N NATURAL T
,I %D WOND] AT 8 SU45 SIL;E & %D WI% 6"K
:AT HAS 2COME ( HM80'
  8,8,I H "S RECOLLEC;NS1 SIR1 T ,I _H ALR
CORRESPOND$ ) Y & _H TOLD Y :AT _H 2COME (
HM4 ,HE HAS G"O ^U A VOYAGE R.D ! _W4 ,8
H1L? 0 9 A POOR WAY AF 8 ,AFRICAN
EXP]I;ES1 & BO? 8 "M & ,I 7 ( OP9ION T
-PLETE RE/ & *ANGE 7 NE$$4 ,K9DLY PASS T
EXPLAN,N ON 6ANY O!R FRS :O MAY 2 9T]E/$ 9
! MATT]40'
  8,8,C]TA9LY10' ,I ANSW]$4 ,8,B P]H Y WD
H ! GD;S 6LET ME H ! "N (! /1M] &(! L9E 0:HE SAIL$1 TGR )! DATE4 ,I H NO D\BT T   #I
,I %D 2 A# 6GET A LR "? 6HM40'
  8,MY REQUE/ SEEM$ BO? 6PUZZLE &
6IRRITATE MY HO/4 ,8 GRT EYEBR[S CAME D[N
OV] 8 EYES1 & HE TAPP$ 8 F+]S IMPATI5TLY
ON ! TA#4 ,HE LOOK$ UP AT LA/ )! EXPRES.N
( "O :O HAS SE5 8 ADV]S>Y MAKE A DANG]\S
MOVE AT *ESS1 & HAS DECID$ H[ 6MEET X4
  8,8,_M P1 ,MR4 ,DODD10' SD HE1 ,8WD TAKE
(F;E AT YR 9F]NAL P]T9AC;Y & WD ?9K T ?
9SI/;E _H R1*$ ! PO9T ( DAMN$ IMP]T9;E40'
  8,8,Y M/ PUT X D[N1 SIR1 6MY R1L LOVE =
YR SON40'
  8,8,EXACTLY4 ,I H ALR MADE E ALL[.E ^U T
SCORE4 ,I M/ ASK Y1 H["E1 6DROP ^!
9QUIRIES4 ,E FAMILY HAS XS [N 9N] K & XS
[N MOTIVES1 : _C ALW 2 MADE CLE> 6\TSID]S1
H["E WELL-9T5;N$4 ,MY WIFE IS ANXI\S 6HE>
"S?+ ( ,GODFREY'S PA/ : Y >E 9 A POSI;N
6TELL H]1 B ,I WD ASK Y 6LET ! PRES5T &!
FUTURE AL"O1 ,S* 9QUIRIES S]VE NO USE;L
PURPOSE1 SIR1 & PLACE U 9 A DELICATE &
DI6ICULT POSI;N40'
  8,S ,I CAME 6A D1D 5D1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES4 ,"!
0 NO GETT+ PA/ X4 ,I CD ONLY PRET5D 6A3EPT! SITU,N & REGI/] A V[ 9W>DLY T ,I     #AJ
WD N"E RE/ UNTIL MY FR'S FATE _H BE5 CLE>$
UP4 ,X 0 A DULL EV5+4 ,WE D9$ QUIETLY1 !
?REE ( U1 9 A GLOOMY FAD$ OLD ROOM4 ,!
LADY "Q$ ME EAG]LY AB H] SON1 B ! OLD MAN
SEEM$ MOROSE & DEPRESS$4 ,I 0 S BOR$ 0!
:OLE PROCE$+ T ,I MADE AN EXCUSE Z SOON Z
,I DEC5TLY CD & RETIR$ 6MY B$ROOM4 ,X 0 A
L>GE1 B>E ROOM ON ! GR.D FLOOR1 Z GLOOMY Z
! RE/ (! H\SE1 B AF A YE> ( SLEEP+ ^U !
VELDT1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 "O IS N TOO "PICUL>
AB "O'S QU>T]S4 ,I OP5$ ! CURTA9S & LOOK$
\ 96! G>D51 REM>K+ T X 0 A F9E NI<T )A B"R
HALF-MOON4 ,!N ,I SAT D[N 0! RO>+ FIRE )!
LAMP ON A TA# 2S ME1 & 5D1V\R$ 64TRACT MY
M9D )A NOVEL4 ,I 0 9T]RUPT$1 H["E1
0,RALPH1 ! OLD BUTL]1 :O CAME 9 )A FRE%
SUPPLY ( COALS4
  8,8,I ?"\ Y MI<T RUN %ORT 9 ! NI<T-"T1
SIR4 ,X IS BITT] W1!R & ^! ROOMS >E
COLD40'
  8,HE HESITAT$ 2F L1V+ ! ROOM1 & :5 ,I
LOOK$ R.D HE 0 /&+ FAC+ ME )A WI/;L LOOK
^U 8 WR9KL$ FACE4
  8,8,BEG YR P>DON1 SIR1 B ,I CD N HELPHE>+ :AT Y SD ( "Y ,MA/] ,GODFREY AT   #AA
D9N]4 ,Y "K1 SIR1 T MY WIFE NURS$ HM1 & S
,I MAY SAY ,I AM 8 FO/]-"F4 ,X'S NATURAL
WE %D TAKE AN 9T]E/4 ,& Y SAY HE C>RI$ HMF
WELL1 SIR80'
  8,8,"! 0 N"E A BRAV] MAN 9 ! REGI;T4 ,HE
PULL$ ME \ ONCE F "U ! RIFLES (! ,BOERS1
OR MAYBE ,I %D N 2 "H40'
  8,! OLD BUTL] RU2$ 8 SK9NY H&S4
  8,8,YES1 SIR1 YES1 T IS ,MA/] ,GODFREY
ALL OV]4 ,HE 0 ALW C\RAGE\S4 ,"!'S N A
TREE 9 ! P>K1 SIR1 T HE HAS N CLIMB$4
,NO?+ WD /OP HM4 ,HE 0 A F9E BOY- & OH1
SIR1 HE 0 A F9E MAN40'
  8,I SPRANG 6MY FEET4
  8,8,LOOK "H60' ,I CRI$4 ,8,Y SAY HE WAS4
,Y SP1K Z IF HE 7 D1D4 ,:AT IS ALL ?
MY/]Y8 ,:AT HAS 2COME ( ,GODFREY
,EMSWOR?80'
  8,I GRIPP$ ! OLD MAN 0! %\LD]1 B HE
%RANK AWAY4
  8,8,I DON'T "K :AT Y M1N1 SIR4 ,ASK !
MA/] AB ,MA/] ,GODFREY4 ,HE "KS4 ,X IS N =
ME 69T]F]E40'
  8,HE 0 L1V+ ! ROOM1 B ,I HELD 8 >M4  8,8,LI/510' ,I SD4 ,8,Y >E GO+       #AB
6ANSW] "O "Q 2F Y L1VE IF ,I H 6HOLD Y ALL
NI<T4 ,IS ,GODFREY D1D80'
  8,HE CD N FACE MY EYES4 ,HE 0 L A MAN
HYPNOTIZ$4 ,! ANSW] 0 DRA7$ F 8 LIPS4 ,X 0
A T]RI# & UNEXPECT$ "O4
  8,8,I WI% 6,GOD HE WAS60' HE CRI$1 &1
TE>+ HMF FREE1 HE DA%$ F ! ROOM4
  8,Y W ?9K1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 T ,I RETURN$
6MY *AIR 9 NO V HAPPY /ATE ( M9D4 ,! OLD
MAN'S ^WS SEEM$ 6ME 6BE> ONLY "O
9T]PRET,N4 ,CLE>LY MY POOR FR _H 2COME
9VOLV$ 9 "S CRIM9AL OR1 AT ! L1/1 4REPUTA#
TRANSAC;N : T\*$ ! FAMILY HON\R4 ,T /]N
OLD MAN _H S5T 8 SON AWAY & HI45 HM F ! _W
LE/ "S SC&AL %D -E 6LI<T4 ,GODFREY 0 A
RECK.S FELL[4 ,HE 0 EASILY 9FLU;ED 0^? >.D
HM4 ,NO D\BT HE _H FALL5 96BAD H&S & BE5
MISL$ 6HIS RU94 ,X 0 A PITE\S BUSI;S1 IF X
0 9DE$ S1 B EV5 N[ X 0 MY DUTY 6HUNT HM \
& SEE IF ,I CD AID HM4 ,I 0 ANXI\SLY
POND]+ ! MATT] :5 ,I LOOK$ UP1 & "! 0
,GODFREY ,EMSWOR? /&+ 2F ME40
  ,MY CLI5T _H PAUS$ Z "O 9 DEEP EMO;N4
  8,PRAY 3T9UE10 ,I SD4 8,YR PRO#M PRES5TS"S V UNUSUAL F1TURES40                 #AC
  8,HE 0 \TSIDE ! W9D[1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 ) 8
FACE PRESS$ AG/ ! GLASS4 ,I H TOLD Y T ,I
LOOK$ \ AT ! NI<T4 ,:5 ,I DID S ,I LEFT !
CURTA9S "PLY OP54 ,8 FIGURE 0 FRAM$ 9 ?
GAP4 ,! W9D[ CAME D[N 6! GR.D & ,I CD SEE
! :OLE L5G? ( X1 B X 0 8 FACE : HELD MY
GAZE4 ,HE 0 D1DLY PALE- N"E H ,I SE5 A MAN
S :ITE4 ,I RECKON <O/S MAY LOOK L T2 B 8
EYES MET M9E1 & !Y 7 ! EYES (A LIV+ MAN4
,HE SPRANG BACK :5 HE SAW T ,I 0 LOOK+ AT
HM1 & HE VANI%$ 96! D>K;S4
  8,"! 0 "S?+ %OCK+ AB ! MAN1 ,MR4
,HOLMES4 ,X WASN'T M]ELY T <A/LY FACE
GLIMM]+ Z :ITE Z *EESE 9 ! D>K;S4 ,X 0 M
SUBTLE ?AN T- "S?+ SL9K+1 "S?+ FURTIVE1
"S?+ GUILTY- "S?+ V UNLIKE ! FRANK1 MANLY
LAD T ,I _H "KN4 ,X LEFT A FEEL+ ( HORROR
9 MY M9D4
  8,B :5 A MAN HAS BE5 SOLDI]+ =A YE> OR
TWO ) BRO!R ,BOER Z A PLAYMATE1 HE KEEPS 8
N]VE & ACTS QKLY4 ,GODFREY _H H>DLY VANI%$
2F ,I 0 AT ! W9D[4 ,"! 0 AN AWKW>D CAT*1 &
,I 0 "S LL "T 2F ,I CD ?R[ X UP4 ,!N ,I
NIPP$ "? & RAN D[N ! G>D5 PA? 9 ! DIREC;NT ,I ?"\ HE MI<T H TAK54               #AD
  8,X 0 A L;G PA? &! LI<T 0 N V GD1 B X
SEEM$ 6ME "S?+ 0 MOV+ AH1D ( ME4 ,I RAN ON
& CALL$ 8 "N1 B X 0 NO USE4 ,:5 ,I GOT 6!
5D (! PA? "! 7 S"EAL O!RS BRAN*+ 9 DI6]5T
DIREC;NS 6V>I\S \TH\SES4 ,I /OOD HESITAT+1
& Z ,I DID S ,I HE>D 4T9CTLY ! S.D (A
CLOS+ DOOR4 ,X 0 N 2H ME 9 ! H\SE1 B AH1D
( ME1 "S": 9 ! D>K;S4 ,T 0 5\<1 ,MR4
,HOLMES1 6ASSURE ME T :AT ,I _H SE5 0 N A
VI.N4 ,GODFREY _H RUN AWAY F ME1 & HE _H
%UT A DOOR 2H HM4 ,( T ,I 0 C]TA94
  8,"! 0 NO?+ M ,I CD D1 & ,I SP5T AN
UNEASY NI<T TURN+ ! MATT] OV] 9 MY M9D &
TRY+ 6F9D "S !ORY : WD COV] ! FACTS4 ,NEXT
"D ,I F.D ! COLONEL R M 3CILIATORY1 & Z 8
WIFE REM>K$ T "! 7 "S PLACES ( 9T]E/ 9 !
NEI<B\RHOOD1 X GAVE ME AN OP5+ 6ASK :E!R
MY PRES;E = "O M NI<T WD 9COMMODE !M4 ,A
"S:AT GRUDG+ ACQUIESC;E F ! OLD MAN GAVE
ME A CLE> "D 9 : 6MAKE MY OBS]V,NS4 ,I 0
ALR P]FECTLY 3V9C$ T ,GODFREY 0 9 HID+
"S": NE>1 B ": & :Y REMA9$ 6BE SOLV$4
  8,! H\SE 0 S L>GE & S RAMBL+ T A REGI;T
MI<T 2 HID AWAY 9 X & NO "O ! WIS]4 ,IF !SECRET LAY "! X 0 DI6ICULT = ME        #AE
6P5ETRATE X4 ,B ! DOOR : ,I _H HE>D CLOSE
0 C]TA9LY N 9 ! H\SE4 ,I M/ EXPLORE ! G>D5
& SEE :AT ,I CD F9D4 ,"! 0 NO DI6ICULTY 9
! WAY1 =! OLD P 7 BUSY 9 _! [N FA%ION &
LEFT ME 6MY [N DEVICES4
  8,"! 7 S"EAL SMALL \TH\SES1 B AT ! 5D (!
G>D5 "! 0 A DETA*$ BUILD+ ( "S SIZE- L>GE
5 =A G>D5]'S OR A GAMEKEEP]'S RESID;E4 ,CD
? 2 ! PLACE :;E ! S.D ( T %UTT+ DOOR _H
-E8 ,I APPROA*$ X 9 A C>E.S FA%ION Z ?\<
,I 7 /ROLL+ AIM.SLY R.D ! GR.DS4 ,Z ,I DID
S1 A SMALL1 BRISK1 BE>D$ MAN 9 A BLACK
COAT & B[L] HAT- N AT ALL ! G>D5] TYPE-
CAME \ (! DOOR4 ,6MY SURPRISE1 HE LOCK$ X
AF HM & PUT ! KEY 9 8 POCKET4 ,!N HE LOOK$
AT ME ) "S SURPRISE ON 8 FACE4
  8,8,>E Y A VISITOR "H80' HE ASK$4
  8,I EXPLA9$ T ,I 0 & T ,I 0 A FR (
,GODFREY'S4
  8,8,:AT A P;Y T HE %D 2 AWAY ON 8
TRAVELS1 = HE WD H S LIK$ 6SEE ME10' ,I
3T9U$4
  8,8,Q S4 ,EXACTLY10' SD HE )A R GUILTY
AIR4 ,8,NO D\BT Y W RENEW YR VISIT AT "S MPROPITI\S "T40' ,HE PASS$ ON1 B :5     #AF
,I TURN$ ,I OBS]V$ T HE 0 /&+ WAT*+ ME1
HALF-3C1L$ 0! LAURELS AT ! F> 5D (! G>D54
  8,I _H A GD LOOK AT T LL H\SE Z ,I PASS$
X1 B ! W9D[S 7 H1VILY CURTA9$1 &1 S F> Z
"O CD SEE1 X 0 EMPTY4 ,I MI<T SPOIL MY [N
GAME & EV5 2 ORD]$ (F ! PREMISES IF ,I 7
TOO AUDACI\S1 = ,I 0 / 3SCI\S T ,I 0 2+
WAT*$4 ,"!=E1 ,I /ROLL$ BACK 6! H\SE &
WAIT$ = NI<T 2F ,I W5T ON ) MY 9QUIRY4 ,:5
ALL 0 D>K & QUIET ,I SLIPP$ \ ( MY W9D[ &
MADE MY WAY Z SIL5TLY Z POSSI# 6! MY/]I\S
LODGE4
  8,I H SD T X 0 H1VILY CURTA9$1 B N[ ,I
F.D T ! W9D[S 7 %UTT]$ Z WELL4 ,"S LI<T1
H["E1 0 BR1K+ "? "O ( !M1 S ,I 3C5TRAT$ MY
ATT5;N ^U ?4 ,I 0 9 LUCK1 =! CURTA9 _H N
BE5 Q CLOS$1 & "! 0 A CRACK 9 ! %UTT]1 S T
,I CD SEE ! 9SIDE (! ROOM4 ,X 0 A *E]Y
PLACE 5\<1 A B"R LAMP &A BLAZ+ FIRE4
,OPPOSITE 6ME 0 S1T$ ! LL MAN :OM ,I _H
SE5 9 ! MORN+4 ,HE 0 SMOK+ A PIPE & R1D+ A
PAP]40
  8,:AT PAP]80 ,I ASK$4
  ,MY CLI5T SEEM$ ANNOY$ AT ! 9T]RUP;N ( 8N>RATIVE4                              #AG
  8,C X MATT]80 HE ASK$4
  8,X IS MO/ ESS5TIAL0
  8,I RE,Y TOOK NO NOTICE40
  8,POSSIBLY Y OBS]V$ :E!R X 0 A BROAD-
L1F$ PAP] OR ( T SMALL] TYPE : "O
ASSOCIATES ) WEEKLIES40
  8,N[ T Y M5;N X1 X 0 N L>GE4 ,X MI<T H
BE5 ! ,SPECTATOR4 ,H["E1 ,I _H LL ?"\
6SP>E ^U S* DETAILS1 =A SECOND MAN 0 S1T$
) 8 BACK 6! W9D[1 & ,I CD SWE> T ? SECOND
MAN 0 ,GODFREY4 ,I CD N SEE 8 FACE1 B ,I
KNEW ! FAMILI> SLOPE ( 8 %\LD]S4 ,HE 0
L1N+ ^U 8 ELB[ 9 AN ATTITUDE ( GRT
MELAN*OLY1 8 BODY TURN$ T[>DS ! FIRE4 ,I 0
HESITAT+ Z 6:AT ,I %D D :5 "! 0 A %>P TAP
ON MY %\LD]1 & "! 0 ,COLONEL ,EMSWOR? 2S
ME4
  8,8,? WAY1 SIR60' SD HE 9 A L[ VOICE4
,HE WALK$ 9 SIL;E 6! H\SE1 & ,I FOLL[$ HM
96MY [N B$ROOM4 ,HE _H PICK$ UP A "T-TA# 9
! HALL4
  8,8,"! IS A TRA9 6,LONDON AT #H3CJ10' SD
HE4 ,8,! TRAP W 2 AT ! DOOR AT EI<T40'
  8,HE 0 :ITE ) RAGE1 &1 9DE$1 ,I FELT MYF9 S DI6ICULT A POSI;N T ,I CD ONLY     #AH
/AMM] \ A FEW 9COH]5T APOLOGIES 9 : ,I
TRI$ 6EXCUSE MYF 0URG+ MY ANXIETY = MY FR4
  8,8,! MATT] W N BE> 4CUS.N10' SD HE
ABRUPTLY4 ,8,Y H MADE A MO/ DAMNA# 9TRU.N
96! PRIVACY ( \R FAMILY4 ,Y 7 "H Z A GUE/
& Y H 2COME A SPY4 ,I H NO?+ M 6SAY1 SIR1
SAVE T ,I H NO WI% "E 6SEE Y AG40'
  8,AT ? ,I LO/ MY TEMP]1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 &
,I SPOKE ) "S W>M?4
  8,8,I H SE5 YR SON1 & ,I AM 3V9C$ T = "S
R1SON ( YR [N Y >E 3C1L+ HM F ! _W4 ,I H
NO IDEA :AT YR MOTIVES >E 9 CUTT+ HM (F 9
? FA%ION1 B ,I AM SURE T HE IS NO L;G] A
FREE AG5T4 ,I W>N Y1 ,COLONEL ,EMSWOR?1 T
UNTIL ,I AM ASSUR$ Z 6! SAFETY & WELL-2+ (
MY FR ,I % N"E DESI/ 9 MY EF=TS 6GET 6!
BOTTOM (! MY/]Y1 & ,I % C]TA9LY N ALL[ MYF
6BE 9TIMIDAT$ 0ANY?+ : Y MAY SAY OR D40'
  8,! OLD FELL[ LOOK$ DIABOLICAL1 & ,I
RE,Y ?"\ HE 0 AB 6ATTACK ME4 ,I H SD T HE
0 A GAUNT1 FI]CE OLD GIANT1 & ?\< ,I AM NO
W1KL+ ,I MI<T H BE5 H>D PUT 6X 6HOLD MY [N
AG/ HM4 ,H["E1 AF A L;G GL>E ( RAGE HE
TURN$ ^U 8 HEEL & WALK$ \ (! ROOM4 ,= MY"P1 ,I TOOK ! APPO9T$ TRA9 9 !         #AI
MORN+1 )! FULL 9T5;N ( -+ /RAI<T 6Y & ASK+
= YR ADVICE & ASSI/.E AT ! APPO9T;T = : ,I
_H ALR WRITT540
  ,S* 0 ! PRO#M : MY VISITOR LAID 2F ME4
,X PRES5T$1 Z ! A/UTE R1D] W H ALR P]CVD1
FEW DI6ICULTIES 9 XS SOLU;N1 =A V LIMIT$
*OICE ( ALT]NATIVES M/ GET 6! ROOT (!
MATT]4 ,/1 ELE;T>Y Z X WAS1 "! 7 PO9TS (
9T]E/ & NOVELTY AB X : MAY EXCUSE MY PLAC+
X ^U RECORD4 ,I N[ PROCE$$1 US+ MY FAMILI>
ME?OD ( LOGICAL ANALYSIS1 6N>R[ D[N !
POSSI# SOLU;NS4
  8,! S]VANTS10 ,I ASK$2 8H[ _M 7 9 !
H\SE80
  8,6! BE/ ( MY 2LIEF "! 7 ONLY ! OLD
BUTL] & 8 WIFE4 ,!Y SEEM$ 6LIVE 9 !
SIMPLE/ FA%ION40
  8,"! 0 NO S]VANT1 !N1 9 ! DETA*$ H\SE80
  8,N"O1 UN.S ! LL MAN )! BE>D ACT$ Z S*4
,HE SEEM$1 H["E1 6BE Q A SUP]IOR P]SON40
  8,T SEEMS V SU7E/IVE4 ,_H Y ANY 9DIC,N T
FOOD 0 3VEY$ F ! "O H\SE 6! O!R80
  8,N[ T Y M5;N X1 ,I DID SEE OLD ,RALPH
C>RY+ A BASKET D[N ! G>D5 WALK & GO+ 9 !DIREC;N ( ? H\SE4 ,! IDEA ( FOOD DID   #BJ
N O3UR 6ME AT ! MO;T40
  8,DID Y MAKE ANY LOCAL 9QUIRIES80
  8,YES1 ,I DID4 ,I SPOKE 6! /,N-MA/] & AL
6! 9NKEEP] 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,I SIMPLY ASK$ IF
!Y KNEW ANY?+ ( MY OLD -RADE1 ,GODFREY
,EMSWOR?4 ,BO? ( !M ASSUR$ ME T HE _H G"O
=A VOYAGE R.D ! _W4 ,HE _H -E HOME & !N _H
ALM AT ONCE />T$ (F AG4 ,! /ORY 0 EVID5TLY
UNIV]S,Y A3EPT$40
  8,Y SD NO?+ ( YR SUSPICIONS80
  8,NO?+40
  8,T 0 V WISE4 ,! MATT] %D C]TA9LY 2
9QUIR$ 9TO4 ,I W G BACK ) Y 6,TUXBURY ,OLD
,P>K40
  8,TO-"D80
  ,X HAPP5$ T AT ! MO;T ,I 0 CLE>+ UP !
CASE : MY FR ,WATSON HAS DESCRIB$ Z T (!
,A2EY ,S*OOL1 9 : ! ,DUKE ( ,GREYM9/] 0 S
DEEPLY 9VOLV$4 ,I _H AL A -MIS.N F !
,SULTAN ( ,TURKEY : CALL$ = IMM AC;N1 Z
POLITICAL 3SEQU;ES (! GRAVE/ K9D MI<T >ISE
F XS NEGLECT4 ,"!=E X 0 N UNTIL ! 2G9N+ (!
NEXT WEEK1 Z MY DI>Y RECORDS1 T ,I 0 A#
6/>T =? ON MY MIS.N 6,B$=D%IRE 9 -PANY ),MR4 ,JAMES ,M4 ,DODD4 ,Z WE DROVE     #BA
6,EU/ON WE PICK$ UP A GRAVE & TACITURN
G5TLEMAN ( IRON-GRAY ASPECT1 ) :OM ,I _H
MADE ! NEC >RANGE;TS4
  8,? IS AN OLD FR10 SD ,I 6,DODD4 8,X IS
POSSI# T 8 PRES;E MAY 2 5TIRELY UNNEC1 &1
ON ! O!R H&1 X MAY 2 ESS5TIAL4 ,X IS N NEC
AT ! PRES5T /AGE 6G FUR!R 96! MATT]40
  ,! N>RATIVES ( ,WATSON1 H A3U/OM$ !
R1D]1 NO D\BT1 6! FACT T ,I D N WA/E ^WS
OR 4CLOSE MY ?"\S :ILE A CASE IS ACTU,Y "U
3SID],N4 ,DODD SEEM$ SURPRIS$1 B NO?+ M 0
SD1 &! ?REE ( U 3T9U$ \R J\RNEY TGR4 9 !
TRA9 ,I ASK$ ,DODD "O M "Q : ,I WI%$ \R
-PANION 6HE>4
  8,Y SAY T Y SAW YR FR'S FACE Q CLE>LY AT
! W9D[1 S CLE>LY T Y >E SURE ( 8 ID5T;Y80
  8,I H NO D\BT AB X :AT"E4 ,8 NOSE 0
PRESS$ AG/ ! GLASS4 ,! LAMPLI<T %"O FULL
^U HM40
  8,X CD N H BE5 "S"O RESEMBL+ HM80
  8,NO1 NO1 X 0 HE40
  8,B Y SAY HE 0 *ANG$80
  8,ONLY 9 COL\R4 ,8 FACE WAS- H[ % ,I
DESCRIBE X8- X 0 (A FI%-BELLY :ITE;S4 ,X 0BL1*$40                                #BB
  8,WAS X EQU,Y PALE ALL OV]80
  8,I ?9K N4 ,X 0 8 BR[ : ,I SAW S CLE>LY
Z X 0 PRESS$ AG/ ! W9D[40
  8,DID Y CALL 6HM80
  8,I 0 TOO />TL$ & HORRIFI$ =! MO;T4 ,!N
,I PURSU$ HM1 Z ,I H TOLD Y1 B )\T
RESULT40
  ,MY CASE 0 PRACTIC,Y -PLETE1 & "! 0 ONLY
"O SMALL 9CID5T NE$$ 6R.D X (F4 ,:51 AF
3SID]A# DRIVE1 WE >RIV$ AT ! /RANGE OLD
RAMBL+ H\SE : MY CLI5T _H DESCRIB$1 X 0
,RALPH1 ! ELD]LY BUTL]1 :O OP5$ ! DOOR4 ,I
_H REQUISI;N$ ! C>RIAGE =! "D & _H ASK$ MY
ELD]LY FR 6REMA9 )9 X UN.S WE %D SUMMON
HM4 ,RALPH1 A LL WR9KL$ OLD FELL[1 0 9 !
3V5;NAL CO/UME ( BLACK COAT & PEPP]-&-SALT
TR\S]S1 ) ONLY "O CURI\S V>IANT4 ,HE WORE
BR[N L1!R GLOVES1 : AT SI<T ( U HE 9/ANTLY
%U6L$ (F1 LAY+ !M D[N ON ! HALL-TA# Z WE
PASS$ IN4 ,I H1 Z MY FR ,WATSON MAY H
REM>K$1 AN ABNORM,Y ACUTE SET ( S5SES1 &A
FA9T B 9CISIVE SC5T 0 APP>5T4 ,X SEEM$
6C5TRE ON ! HALL-TA#4 ,I TURN$1 PLAC$ MY
HAT "!1 KNOCK$ X (F1 /OOP$ 6PICK X UP1 &3TRIV$ 6BR+ MY NOSE )9 A FOOT (!       #BC
GLOVES4 ,YES1 X 0 UND\BT$LY F !M T !
CURI\S T>RY OD\R 0 OOZ+4 ,I PASS$ ON 96!
/UDY ) MY CASE -PLETE4 ,ALAS1 T ,I %D H
6%[ MY H& S :5 ,I TELL MY [N /ORY6 ,X 0
03C1L+ S* L9KS 9 ! *A9 T ,WATSON 0 5A#D
6PRODUCE 8 M]ETRICI\S F9ALES4
  ,COLONEL ,EMSWOR? 0 N 9 8 ROOM1 B HE
CAME QKLY 5 ON RECEIPT ( ,RALPH'S MESSAGE4
,WE HE>D 8 QK1 H1VY /EP 9 ! PASSAGE4 ,!
DOOR 0 FLUNG OP5 & HE RU%$ 9 ) BRI/L+ BE>D
& TWI/$ F1TURES1 Z T]RI# AN OLD MAN Z "E
,I H SE54 ,HE HELD \R C>DS 9 8 H&1 & HE
TORE !M UP & /AMP$ ON ! FRAG;TS4
  8,H ,I N TOLD Y1 Y 9F]NAL BUSYBODY1 T Y
>E W>N$ (F ! PREMISES8 ,N"E D>E 6%[ YR
DAMN$ FACE "H AG4 ,IF Y 5T] AG )\T MY L1VE
,I % 2 )9 MY "RS IF ,I USE VIOL;E4 ,I'LL
%OOT Y1 SIR6 ,0,GOD1 ,I W6 ,Z 6Y1 SIR10
TURN+ ^U ME1 8,I EXT5D ! SAME W>N+ 6Y4 ,I
AM FAMILI> ) YR IGNO# PROFES.N1 B Y M/
TAKE YR REPUT$ TAL5TS 6"S O!R FIELD4 ,"!
IS NO OP5+ = !M "H40
  8,I _C L1VE "H10 SD MY CLI5T FIRMLY1
8UNTIL ,I HE> F ,GODFREY'S [N LIPS T HE IS"U NO RE/RA9T40                        #BD
  ,\R 9VOLUNT>Y HO/ RANG ! BELL4
  8,RALPH10 HE SD1 8TELEPH"O D[N 6! C.TY
POLICE & ASK ! 9SPECTOR 6S5D UP TWO 3/A#S4
,TELL HM "! >E BURGL>S 9 ! H\SE40
  8,"O MO;T10 SD ,I4 8,Y M/ 2 AW>E1 ,MR4
,DODD1 T ,COLONEL ,EMSWOR? IS )9 8 "RS & T
WE H NO LEGAL /ATUS )9 8 H\SE4 ,ON ! O!R
H&1 HE %D RECOGNIZE T YR AC;N IS PROMPT$
5TIRELY 0SOLICITUDE = 8 SON4 ,I V5TURE
6HOPE T IF ,I 7 ALL[$ 6H FIVE M9UTES'
3V]S,N ) ,COLONEL ,EMSWOR? ,I CD C]TA9LY
ALT] 8 VIEW (! MATT]40
  8,I AM N S EASILY ALT]$10 SD ! OLD
SOLDI]4 8,RALPH1 D :AT ,I H TOLD Y4 ,:AT !
DEVIL >E Y WAIT+ =8 ,R+ UP ! POLICE60
  8,NO?+ (! SORT10 ,I SD1 PUTT+ MY BACK 6!
DOOR4 8,ANY POLICE 9T]F];E WD BR+ AB ! V
CATA/ROPHE : Y DR1D40 ,I TOOK \ MY
NOTEBOOK & SCRIB#D "O ^W ^U A LOOSE %EET4
8,T10 SD ,I Z ,I H&$ X 6,COLONEL ,EMSWOR?1
8IS :AT HAS BR"\ U "H40
  ,HE />$ AT ! WRIT+ )A FACE F : E
EXPRES.N SAVE AMAZE;T _H VANI%$4
  8,H[ D Y "K80 HE GASP$1 SITT+ D[N H1VILY9 8 *AIR4                              #BE
  8,X IS MY BUSI;S 6"K ?+S4 ,T IS MY
TRADE40
  ,HE SAT 9 DEEP ?"\1 8 GAUNT H& TU7+ AT 8
/RA7L+ BE>D4 ,!N HE MADE A GE/URE (
RESIGN,N4
  8,WELL1 IF Y WI% 6SEE ,GODFREY1 Y %4 ,X
IS NO DO+ ( M9E1 B Y H =C$ MY H&4 ,RALPH1
TELL ,MR4 ,GODFREY & ,MR4 ,K5T T 9 FIVE
M9UTES WE % 2 ) !M40
  ,AT ! 5D ( T "T WE PASS$ D[N ! G>D5 PA?
& F.D \RVS 9 FRONT (! MY/]Y H\SE AT ! 5D4
,A SMALL BE>D$ MAN /OOD AT ! DOOR )A LOOK
( 3SID]A# A/ONI%;T ^U 8 FACE4
  8,? IS V SU451 ,COLONEL ,EMSWOR?10 SD
HE4 8,? W 4>RANGE ALL \R PLANS40
  8,I C'T HELP X1 ,MR4 ,K5T4 ,\R H&S H BE5
=C$4 ,C ,MR4 ,GODFREY SEE U80
  8,YES1 HE IS WAIT+ 9SIDE40 ,HE TURN$ &
L$ U 96A L>GE1 PLA9LY FURNI%$ FRONT ROOM4
,A MAN 0 /&+ ) 8 BACK 6! FIRE1 & AT ! SI<T
( HM MY CLI5T SPRANG =W>D ) \T/RET*$ H&4
  8,:Y1 ,GODFREY1 OLD MAN1 ? IS F9E60
  ,B ! O!R WAV$ HM BACK4
  8,DON'T T\* ME1 ,JIMMIE4 ,KEEP YR 4T.E4,YES1 Y MAY WELL />E6 ,I DON'T Q       #BF
LOOK ! SM>T ,L.E-,CORPORAL ,EMSWOR?1 ( ;,B
,SQUADRON1 D ,I80
  ,8 APPE>.E 0 C]TA9LY EXTRAORD9>Y4 ,"O CD
SEE T HE _H 9DE$ BE5 A H&"S MAN ) CLE>-CUT
F1TURES SUNBURN$ 0AN ,AFRICAN SUN1 B
MOTTL$ 9 PAT*ES OV] ? D>K] SURFACE 7
CURI\S :ITI% PAT*ES : _H BL1*$ 8 SK94
  8,T'S :Y ,I DON'T C\RT VISITORS10 SD HE4
8,I DON'T M9D Y1 ,JIMMIE1 B ,I CD H D"O
)\T YR FR4 ,I SUPPOSE "! IS "S GD R1SON =
X1 B Y H ME AT A 4ADVANTAGE40
  8,I WANT$ 6BE SURE T ALL 0 WELL ) Y1
,GODFREY4 ,I SAW Y T NI<T :5 Y LOOK$ 96MY
W9D[1 & ,I CD N LET ! MATT] RE/ TILL ,I _H
CLE>$ ?+S UP40
  8,OLD ,RALPH TOLD ME Y 7 "!1 & ,I CDN'T
HELP TAK+ A PEEP AT Y4 ,I HOP$ Y WD N H
SE5 ME1 & ,I _H 6RUN 6MY BURR[ :5 ,I HE>D
! W9D[ G UP40
  8,B :AT 9 H1V5'S "N IS ! MATT]80
  8,WELL1 X'S N A L;G /ORY 6TELL10 SD HE1
LI<T+ A CIG>ETTE4 8,Y REMEMB] T MORN+ FI<T
AT ,BU6ELSSPRUIT1 \TSIDE ,PRETORIA1 ON !
,EA/]N RAILWAY L9E8 ,Y HE>D ,I 0 HIT80  8,YES1 ,I HE>D T1 B ,I N"E GOT       #BG
"PICUL>S40
  8,?REE ( U GOT SEP>AT$ F ! O!RS4 ,X 0 V
BROK5 C.TRY1 Y MAY REMEMB]4 ,"! 0
,SIMPSON- ! FELL[ WE CALL$ ,BALDY
,SIMPSON- & ,&]SON1 & ,I4 ,WE 7 CLE>+
BRO!R ,BOER1 B HE LAY L[ & GOT ! ?REE ( U4
,! O!R TWO 7 KILL$4 ,I GOT AN ELEPHANT
BULLET "? MY %\LD]4 ,I /UCK ON 6MY HORSE1
H["E1 & HE GALLOP$ S"EAL MILES 2F ,I FA9T$
& ROLL$ (F ! SA4LE4
  8,:5 ,I CAME 6MYF X 0 NI<TFALL1 & ,I
RAIS$ MYF UP1 FEEL+ V W1K & ILL4 ,6MY
SURPRISE "! 0 A H\SE CLOSE 2S ME1 A FAIRLY
L>GE H\SE )A BROAD /OOP & _M W9D[S4 ,X 0
D1DLY COLD4 ,Y REMEMB] ! K9D ( NUMB COLD :
US$ 6-E AT EV5+1 A D1DLY1 SICK5+ SORT (
COLD1 V DI6]5T F A CRISP H1L?Y FRO/4 ,WELL
,I 0 *ILL$ 6! B"O1 & MY ONLY HOPE SEEM$
6LIE 9 R1*+ T H\SE4 ,I /A7]$ 6MY FEET &
DRA7$ MYF AL;G1 H>DLY 3SCI\S ( :AT ,I DID4
,I H A DIM MEMORY ( SL[LY ASC5D+ ! /EPS1
5T]+ A WIDE-OP5$ DOOR1 PASS+ 96A L>GE ROOM
: 3TA9$ S"EAL B$S1 & ?R[+ MYF D[N )A GASP
( SATISFAC;N ^U "O ( !M4 ,X 0 UNMADE1 B TTR\#D ME N AT ALL4 ,I DREW ! CLO!S     #BH
OV] MY %IV]+ BODY & 9 A MO;T ,I 0 9 A DEEP
SLEEP4
  8,X 0 MORN+ :5 ,I WAK5$1 & X SEEM$ 6ME T
9/1D ( -+ \ 96A _W ( SAN;Y ,I _H EM]G$
96"S EXTRAORD9>Y NI<TM>E4 ,! \ ,AFRICAN
SUN FLOOD$ "? ! BIG1 CURTA9.S W9D[S1 & E
DETAIL (! GRT1 B>E1 :ITEWA%$ DORMITORY
/OOD \ H>D & CLE>4 ,9 FRONT ( ME 0 /&+ A
SMALL1 DW>F-L MAN )A HUGE1 BULB\S H1D1 :O
0 JA2]+ EXCIT$LY 9 ,DUT*1 WAV+ TWO HORRI#
H&S : LOOK$ 6ME L BR[N SP;GES4 ,2H HM /OOD
A GR\P ( P :O SEEM$ 6BE 9T5SELY AMUS$ 0!
SITU,N1 B A *ILL CAME OV] ME Z ,I LOOK$ AT
!M4 ,N "O ( !M 0 A NORMAL HUMAN 2+4 ,E "O
0 TWI/$ OR SWOLL5 OR 4FIGUR$ 9 "S /RANGE
WAY4 ,! LAU<T] ( ^! /RANGE MON/ROSITIES 0
A DR1D;L ?+ 6HE>4
  8,X SEEM$ T N"O ( !M CD SP1K ,5GLI%1 B !
SITU,N WANT$ CLE>+ UP1 =! CR1TURE )! BIG
H1D 0 GR[+ FURI\SLY ANGRY1 &1 UTT]+ WILD-
B1/ CRIES1 HE _H LAID 8 DE=M$ H&S ^U ME &
0 DRA7+ ME \ ( B$1 REG>D.S (! FRE% FL[ (
BLOOD F MY W.D4 ,! LL MON/] 0 Z /R;G Z A
BULL1 & ,I DON'T "K :AT HE MI<T H D"O 6ME_H N AN ELD]LY MAN :O 0 CLE>LY 9       #BI
AU?OR;Y BE5 ATTRACT$ 6! ROOM 0! HU2UB4 ,HE
SD A FEW /]N ^WS 9 ,DUT*1 & MY P]SECUTOR
%RANK AWAY4 ,!N HE TURN$ ^U ME1 GAZ+ AT ME
9 ! UTMO/ AMAZE;T4
  8,8,H[ 9 ! _W DID Y -E "H80' HE ASK$ 9
AMAZE;T4 ,8,WAIT A BIT6 ,I SEE T Y >E TIR$
\ & T W.D$ %\LD] ( YRS WANTS LOOK+ AF4 ,I
AM A DOCTOR1 & ,I'LL SOON H Y TI$ UP4 ,B1
MAN ALIVE6 Y >E 9 F> GRT] DANG] "H ?AN "E
Y 7 ON ! BATTLEFIELD4 ,Y >E 9 ! ,LEP]
,HOSPITAL1 & Y H SLEPT 9 A LEP]'S B$40'
  8,NE$ ,I TELL Y M1 ,JIMMIE8 ,X SEEMS T 9
VIEW (! APPROA*+ BATTLE ALL ^! POOR
CR1TURES _H BE5 EVACUAT$ ! "D 2F4 ,!N1 Z !
,BRITI% ADV.ED1 !Y _H BE5 BR"\ BACK 0?1 _!
M$ICAL SUP]9T5D5T1 :O ASSUR$ ME T1 ?\< HE
2LIEV$ HE 0 IMMUNE 6! 41SE1 HE WD N"O !
LESS N"E H D>$ 6D :AT ,I _H D"O4 ,HE PUT
ME 9 A PRIVATE ROOM1 TR1T$ ME K9DLY1 & )9
A WEEK OR S ,I 0 REMOV$ 6! G5]AL HOSPITAL
AT ,PRETORIA4
  8,S "! Y H MY TRAG$Y4 ,I HOP$ AG/ HOPE1
B X 0 N UNTIL ,I _H R1*$ HOME T ! T]RI#
SIGNS : Y SEE ^U MY FACE TOLD ME T ,I _H NESCAP$4 ,:AT 0 ,I 6D8 ,I 0 9 ? L"OLY   #CJ
H\SE4 ,WE _H TWO S]VANTS :OM WE CD UTT]LY
TRU/4 ,"! 0 A H\SE ": ,I CD LIVE4 ,"U
PL$GE ( SECRECY1 ,MR4 ,K5T1 :O IS A
SURGEON1 0 PREP>$ 6/AY ) ME4 ,X SEEM$
SIMPLE 5 ON ^? L9ES4 ,! ALT]NATIVE 0 A
DR1D;L "O- SEGREG,N = LIFE AM;G /RANG]S )
N"E A HOPE ( REL1SE4 ,B ABSOLUTE SECRECY 0
NEC1 OR EV5 9 ? QUIET C.TRYSIDE "! WD H
BE5 AN \TCRY1 & ,I %D H BE5 DRA7$ 6MY
HORRI# DOOM4 ,EV5 Y1 ,JIMMIE- EV5 Y _H 6BE
KEPT 9 ! D>K4 ,:Y MY "F HAS REL5T$ ,I _C
IMAG9E40
  ,COLONEL ,EMSWOR? PO9T$ 6ME4
  8,? IS ! G5TLEMAN :O =C$ MY H&40 ,HE
UNFOLD$ ! SCRAP ( PAP] ON : ,I _H WRITT5 !
^W 8,LEPROSY40 8,X SEEM$ 6ME T IF HE KNEW
S M* Z T X 0 SAF] T HE %D "K ALL40
  8,& S X WAS10 SD ,I4 8,:O "KS B GD MAY
-E ( X8 ,I "U/& T ONLY ,MR4 ,K5T HAS SE5 !
PATI5T4 ,MAY ,I ASK1 SIR1 IF Y >E AN
AU?OR;Y ON S* -PLA9TS1 : >E1 ,I "U/&1
TROPICAL OR SEMI-TROPICAL 9 _! NATURE80
  8,I H ! ORD9>Y K (! $UCAT$ M$ICAL MAN10
HE OBS]V$ ) "S /I6;S4  8,I H NO D\BT1 SIR1 T Y >E FULLY     #CA
-PET5T1 B ,I AM SURE T Y W AGREE T 9 S* A
CASE A SECOND OP9ION IS VALUA#4 ,Y H
AVOID$ ?1 ,I "U/&1 = FE> T PRESSURE %D 2
PUT ^U Y 6SEGREGATE ! PATI5T40
  8,T IS S10 SD ,COLONEL ,EMSWOR?4
  8,I =ESAW ? SITU,N10 ,I EXPLA9$1 8& ,I H
BR"\ ) ME A FR ^: 4CRE;N MAY ABSOLUTELY 2
TRU/$4 ,I 0 A# ONCE 6D HM A PROFES.NAL
S]VICE1 & HE IS R1DY 6ADVISE Z A FR R ?AN
Z A SPECIALI/4 ,8 "N IS ,SIR ,JAMES
,SAUND]S40
  ,! PROSPECT ( AN 9T]VIEW ) ,"L ,ROB]TS
WD N H EXCIT$ GRT] WOND] & PL1SURE 9 A RAW
SUBALT]N ?AN 0 N[ REFLECT$ ^U ! FACE (
,MR4 ,K5T4
  8,I % 9DE$ 2 PR\D10 HE MURMUR$4
  8,!N ,I W ASK ,SIR ,JAMES 6/EP ? WAY4
,HE IS AT PRES5T 9 ! C>RIAGE \TSIDE !
DOOR4 ,M1N:ILE1 ,COLONEL ,EMSWOR?1 WE MAY
P]H ASSEM# 9 YR /UDY1 ": ,I CD GIVE ! NEC
EXPLAN,NS40
  ,& "H X IS T ,I MISS MY ,WATSON4 ,0CUNN+
"QS & EJACUL,NS ( WOND] HE CD ELEVATE MY
SIMPLE >T1 : IS B SY/EMATIZ$ -MON S5SE196A PRODIGY4 ,:5 ,I TELL MY [N /ORY    #CB
,I H NO S* AID4 ,& YET ,I W GIVE MY
PROCESS ( ?"\ EV5 Z ,I GAVE X 6MY SMALL
AUDI;E1 : 9CLUD$ ,GODFREY'S "M 9 ! /UDY (
,COLONEL ,EMSWOR?4
  8,T PROCESS10 SD ,I1 8/>TS ^U !
SUPPOSI;N T :5 Y H ELIM9AT$ ALL : IS
IMPOSSI#1 !N :AT"E REMA9S1 H["E IMPROBA#1
M/ 2 ! TRU?4 ,X MAY WELL 2 T S"EAL
EXPLAN,NS REMA91 9 : CASE "O TRIES TE/ AF
TE/ UNTIL "O OR O!R ( !M HAS A 3V9C+ AM.T
( SUPPORT4 ,WE W N[ APPLY ? PR9CIPLE 6!
CASE 9 PO9T4 ,Z X 0 F/ PRES5T$ 6ME1 "! 7
?REE POSSI# EXPLAN,NS (! SECLU.N OR
9C>C],N ( ? G5TLEMAN 9 AN \TH\SE ( 8 "F'S
MAN.N4 ,"! 0 ! EXPLAN,N1 T HE 0 9 HID+ =A
CRIME1 OR T HE 0 MAD & T !Y WI%$ 6AVOID AN
ASYLUM1 OR T HE _H "S 41SE : CAUS$ 8
SEGREG,N4 ,I CD ?9K ( NO O!R ADEQUATE
SOLU;NS4 ,^!1 !N1 _H 6BE SIFT$ & BAL.ED
AG/ EA* O!R4
  8,! CRIM9AL SOLU;N WD N BE> 9SPEC;N4 ,NO
UNSOLV$ CRIME _H BE5 REPORT$ F T 4TRICT4
,I 0 SURE ( T4 ,IF X 7 "S CRIME N YET
4COV]$1 !N CLE>LY X WD 2 6! 9T]E/ (!FAMILY 6GET RID (! DEL9QU5T & S5D HM   #CC
ABROAD R ?AN KEEP HM 3C1L$ AT HOME4 ,I CD
SEE NO EXPLAN,N = S* A L9E ( 3DUCT4
  8,9SAN;Y 0 M PLAUSI#4 ,! PRES;E (!
SECOND P]SON 9 ! \TH\SE SU7E/$ A KEEP]4 ,!
FACT T HE LOCK$ ! DOOR :5 HE CAME \
/R5G!N$ ! SUPPOSI;N & GAVE ! IDEA (
3/RA9T4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 ? 3/RA9T CD N 2
SEV]E OR ! "Y MAN CD N H GOT LOOSE & -E
D[N 6H A LOOK AT 8 FR4 ,Y1 W REMEMB]1 ,MR4
,DODD1 T ,I FELT R.D = PO9TS1 ASK+ Y1 =
EXAMPLE1 AB ! PAP] : ,MR4 ,K5T 0 R1D+4 ,_H
X BE5 ! ,L.ET OR ! ,BRITI% ,M$ICAL ,J\RNAL
X WD H HELP$ ME4 ,X IS N ILLEGAL1 H["E1
6KEEP A LUNATIC ^U PRIVATE PREMISES S L;G
Z "! IS A QUALIFI$ P]SON 9 ATT5D.E & T !
AU?ORITIES H BE5 DULY NOTIFI$4 ,:Y1 !N1
ALL ? DESP]ATE DESIRE = SECRECY8 ,ONCE AG
,I CD N GET ! !ORY 6FIT ! FACTS4
  8,"! REMA9$ ! ?IRD POSSIBIL;Y1 96:1 R>E
& UNLIKELY Z X WAS1 "EY?+ SEEM$ 6FIT4
,LEPROSY IS N UNCOMMON 9 ,S\? ,AFRICA4
,0"S EXTRAORD9>Y *.E ? Y\? MI<T H 3TRACT$
X4 ,8 P WD 2 PLAC$ 9 A V DR1D;L POSI;N1
S9CE !Y WD DESIRE 6SAVE HM F SEGREG,N4,GRT SECRECY WD 2 NE$$ 6PREV5T         #CD
RUM\RS F GETT+ AB & SUBSEQU5T 9T]F];E 0!
AU?ORITIES4 ,A DEVOT$ M$ICAL MAN1 IF
SU6ICI5TLY PD1 WD EASILY 2 F.D 6TAKE *.E (
! SU6]]4 ,"! WD 2 NO R1SON :Y ! LATT] %D N
HE ALL[$ FREEDOM AF D>K4 ,BL1*+ (! SK9 IS
A -MON RESULT (! 41SE4 ,! CASE 0 A /R;G
"O- S /R;G T ,I DET]M9$ 6ACT Z IF X 7
ACTU,Y PROV$4 ,:5 ON >RIV+ "H ,I NOTIC$ T
,RALPH1 :O C>RIES \ ! M1LS1 _H GLOVES : >E
IMPREGNAT$ ) 49FECTANTS1 MY LA/ D\BTS 7
REMOV$4 ,A S+LE ^W %[$ Y1 SIR1 T YR SECRET
0 4COV]$1 & IF ,I WROTE R ?AN SD X1 X 0
6PROVE 6Y T MY 4CRE;N 0 6BE TRU/$40
  ,I 0 F9I%+ ? LL ANALYSIS (! CASE :5 !
DOOR 0 OP5$ &! AU/]E FIGURE (! GRT
D]MATOLOGI/ 0 U%]$ IN4 ,B = ONCE 8 SPH9X-L
F1TURES _H RELAX$ & "! 0 A W>M HUMAN;Y 9 8
EYES4 ,HE /RODE UP 6,COLONEL ,EMSWOR? &
%OOK HM 0! H&4
  8,X IS (T5 MY LOT 6BR+ ILL-TID+S &
SELDOM GD10 SD HE4 8,? O3A.N IS ! M
WELCOME4 ,X IS N LEPROSY40
  8,A WELL-M>K$ CASE ( PSEUDO-LEPROSY OR
I*?YOSIS1 A SCALE-L A6EC;N (! SK91UNSI<TLY1 OB/9ATE1 B POSSIBLY CURA#1   #CE
& C]TA9LY NON9FECTIVE4 ,YES1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1
! CO9CID;E IS A REM>KA# "O4 ,B IS X
CO9CID;E8 ,>E "! N SUBTLE =CES AT "W ( :
WE "K LL8 ,>E WE ASSUR$ T ! APPREH5.N F :
? "Y MAN HAS NO D\BT SU6]$ T]RIBLY S9CE 8
EXPOSURE 6XS 3TAGION MAY N PRODUCE A
PHYSICAL E6ECT : SIMULATES T : X FE>S8 ,AT
ANY RATE1 ,I PL$GE MY PROFES.NAL REPUT,N-
,B ! LADY HAS FA9T$6 ,I ?9K T ,MR4 ,K5T _H
BETT] 2 ) H] UNTIL %E RECOV]S F ? JOY\S
%OCK40