#AIJC                 #A
            ,,%]LOCK ,,HOLMES
     ,,! ,,ADV5TURE ,,( ,,! ,,SOLIT>Y
                 ,,CYCLI/
        0,SIR ,>?UR ,CONAN ,DOYLE

  ,F ! YE>S #AHID 6#AIJA 9CLUSIVE1 ,MR4
,%]LOCK ,HOLMES 0 A V BUSY MAN4 ,X IS SAFE
6SAY T "! 0 NO PUBLIC CASE ( ANY DI6ICULTY
9 : HE 0 N 3SULT$ DUR+ ^? EI<T YE>S1 & "!
7 HUNDR$S ( PRIVATE CASES1 "S ( !M (! MO/
9TRICATE & EXTRAORD9>Y "*1 9 : HE PLAY$ A
PROM95T "P4 ,_M />TL+ SU3ESSES &A FEW
UNAVOIDA# FAILURES 7 ! \TCOME ( ? L;G
P]IOD ( 3T9U\S "W4 ,Z ,I H PRES]V$ V FULL
NOTES ( ALL ^! CASES1 & 0 MYF P]SON,Y
5GAG$ 9 _M ( !M1 X MAY 2 IMAG9$ T X IS NO
EASY TASK 6"K : ,I %D SELECT 6LAY 2F !
PUBLIC4 ,I %1 H["E1 PRES]VE MY =M] RULE1 &
GIVE ! PREF];E 6^? CASES : DERIVE _! 9T]E/
N S M* F ! BRUTAL;Y (! CRIME Z F ! 9G5U;Y
& DRAMATIC QUAL;Y (! SOLU;N4 ,= ? R1SON ,I
W N[ LAY 2F ! R1D] ! FACTS 3NECT$ ) ,MISS
,VIOLET ,SMI?1 ! SOLIT>Y CYCLI/ (
,*>L+TON1 &! CURI\S SEQUEL ( \R 9VE/IG,N1: CULM9AT$ 9 UNEXPECT$ TRAG$Y4 ,X IS    #B
TRUE T ! CIRCUM/.E DID N ADMIT ( ANY /RIK+
ILLU/R,N ( ^? P[]S = : MY FR 0 FAM\S1 B "!
7 "S PO9TS AB ! CASE : MADE X /& \ 9 ^?
L;G RECORDS ( CRIME F : ,I GA!R ! MAT]IAL
= ^! LL N>RATIVES4
  ,ON REF]R+ 6MY NOTEBOOK =! YE> #AHIE1 ,I
F9D T X 0 ^U ,SATUR"D1 ! #BCRD ( ,APRIL1 T
WE F/ HE>D ( ,MISS ,VIOLET ,SMI?4 ,H]
VISIT WAS1 ,I REMEMB]1 EXTREMELY UNWELCOME
6,HOLMES1 = HE 0 IMM]S$ AT ! MO;T 9 A V
AB/RUSE & -PLICAT$ PRO#M 3C]N+ ! PECULI>
P]SECU;N 6: ,JOHN ,V9C5T ,H>D51 ! WELL "KN
TOBA3O MILLIONAIRE1 _H BE5 SUBJECT$4 ,MY
FR1 :O LOV$ ABV ALL ?+S PRECI.N & 3C5TR,N
( ?"\1 RES5T$ ANY?+ : 4TRACT$ 8 ATT5;N F !
MATT] 9 H&4 ,& YET1 )\T A H>%;S : 0 =EIGN
6HIS NATURE1 X 0 IMPOSSI# 6REFUSE 6LI/5 6!
/ORY (! "Y & B1UTI;L WOMAN1 TALL1 GRACE;L1
& QUE5LY1 :O PRES5T$ H]F AT ,BAK] ,/REET
LATE 9 ! EV5+1 & IMPLOR$ 8 ASSI/.E &
ADVICE4 ,X 0 VA9 6URGE T 8 "T 0 ALR FULLY
O3UPI$1 =! "Y LADY _H -E )! DET]M9,N 6TELL
H] /ORY1 & X 0 EVID5T T NO?+ %ORT ( =CE CD
GET H] \ (! ROOM UNTIL %E _H D"O S4 ,)ARESIGN$ AIR &A "S:AT WE>Y SMILE1        #C
,HOLMES BE7$ ! B1UTI;L 9TRUD] 6TAKE A S1T1
& 69=M U :AT X 0 T 0 TR\BL+ H]4
  8,AT L1/ X _C 2 YR H1L?10 SD HE1 Z 8 KE5
EYES D>T$ OV] H]1 8S >D5T A BICYCLI/ M/ 2
FULL ( 5]GY40
  ,%E GL.ED D[N 9 SURPRISE AT H] [N FEET1
& ,I OBS]V$ ! SLI<T R\<5+ (! SIDE (! SOLE
CAUS$ 0! FRIC;N (! $GE (! P$AL4
  8,YES1 ,I BICYCLE A GD D1L1 ,MR4
,HOLMES1 & T HAS "S?+ 6D ) MY VISIT 6Y TO-
"D40
  ,MY FR TOOK ! LADY'S UNGLOV$ H&1 &
EXAM9$ X ) Z CLOSE AN ATT5;N & Z LL S5TI;T
Z A SCI5TI/ WD %[ 6A SPECIM54
  8,Y W EXCUSE ME1 ,I AM SURE4 ,X IS MY
BUSI;S10 SD HE1 Z HE DROPP$ X4 8,I NE>LY
FELL 96! ]ROR ( SUPPOS+ T Y 7 TYPEWRIT+4
,( C\RSE1 X IS OBVI\S T X IS MUSIC4 ,Y
OBS]VE ! SPATULATE F+]-5DS1 ,WATSON1 : IS
-MON 6BO? PROFES.NS8 ,"! IS A _SUAL;Y AB !
FACE1 H["E0- %E G5TLY TURN$ X T[>DS ! LI<T
--8: ! TYPEWRIT] DOES N G5]ATE4 ,? LADY IS
A MUSICIAN40
  8,YES1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 ,I T1* MUSIC40  8,IN ! C.TRY1 ,I PRESUME1 F YR        #D
-PLEXION40
  8,YES1 SIR1 NE> ,F>NHAM1 ON ! BORD]S (
,SURREY40
  8,A B1UTI;L NEI<B\RHOOD1 & FULL (! MO/
9T]E/+ ASSOCI,NS4 ,Y REMEMB]1 ,WATSON1 T X
0 NE> "! T WE TOOK ,>*IE ,/AM=D1 ! =G]4
,N[1 ,MISS ,VIOLET1 :AT HAS HAPP5$ 6Y1 NE>
,F>NHAM1 ON ! BORD]S ( ,SURREY80
  ,! "Y LADY1 ) GRT CLE>;S & -POSURE1 MADE
! FOLL[+ CURI\S /ATE;T3
  8,MY "F IS D1D1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES4 ,HE 0
,JAMES ,SMI?1 :O 3DUCT$ ! OR*E/RA AT ! OLD
,IMP]IAL ,!ATRE4 ,MY "M & ,I 7 LEFT )\T A
REL,N 9 ! _W EXCEPT "O UNCLE1 ,RALPH
,SMI?1 :O W5T 6,AFRICA TW5TY-FIVE YE>S
AGO1 & WE H N"E _H A ^W F HM S9CE4 ,:5 "F
DI$1 WE 7 LEFT V POOR1 B "O "D WE 7 TOLD T
"! 0 AN ADV]TISE;T 9 ! ,"TS1 9QUIR+ = \R
":ABS4 ,Y C IMAG9E H[ EXCIT$ WE W]E1 = WE
?"\ T "S"O _H LEFT U A =TUNE4 ,WE W5T AT
ONCE 6! LAWY] ^: "N 0 GIV5 9 ! PAP]4 ,"!
WE1 MET TWO G5TLEM51 ,MR4 ,C>RU!RS & ,MR4
,WOODLEY1 :O 7 HOME ON A VISIT F ,S\?
,AFRICA4 ,!Y SD T MY UNCLE 0 A FR ( _!S1 THE _H DI$ "S MON?S 2F 9 GRT POV]TY 9    #E
,JOHANNESBURG1 & T HE _H ASK$ !M ) 8 LA/
BR1? 6HUNT UP 8 REL,NS1 & SEE T !Y 7 9 NO
WANT4 ,X SEEM$ /RANGE 6U T ,UNCLE ,RALPH1
:O TOOK NO NOTICE ( U :5 HE 0 ALIVE1 %D 2
S C>E;L 6LOOK AF U :5 HE 0 D1D1 B ,MR4
,C>RU!RS EXPLA9$ T ! R1SON 0 T MY UNCLE _H
J HE>D (! D1? ( 8 BRO!R1 & S FELT
RESPONSI# = \R FATE40
  8,EXCUSE ME10 SD ,HOLMES4 8,:5 0 ?
9T]VIEW80
  8,LA/ ,DECEMB]- F\R MON?S AGO40
  8,PRAY PROCE$40
  8,MR4 ,WOODLEY SEEM$ 6ME 6BE A MO/ ODI\S
P]SON4 ,HE 0 = "E MAK+ EYES AT ME- A
CO>SE1 PU6Y-FAC$1 R$-M\/A*$ "Y MAN1 ) 8
HAIR PLA/]$ D[N ON EA* SIDE ( 8 =EH1D4 ,I
?"\ T HE 0 P]FECTLY HATE;L- & ,I 0 SURE T
,CYRIL WD N WI% ME 6"K S* A P]SON40
  8,OH1 ,CYRIL IS 8 "N60 SD ,HOLMES1
SMIL+4
  ,! "Y LADY BLU%$ & LAU<$4
  8,YES1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 ,CYRIL ,MORTON1 AN
ELECTRICAL 5G9E]1 & WE HOPE 6BE M>RI$ AT !
5D (! SUMM]4 ,DE> ME1 H[ DID ,I GET TALK+AB HM8 ,:AT ,I WI%$ 6SAY 0 T ,MR4       #F
,WOODLEY 0 P]FECTLY ODI\S1 B T ,MR4
,C>RU!RS1 :O 0 A M* OLD] MAN1 0 M AGREEA#4
,HE 0 A D>K1 SALL[1 CL1N-%AV51 SIL5T
P]SON1 B HE _H POLITE MANN]S &A PL1SANT
SMILE4 ,HE 9QUIR$ H[ WE 7 LEFT1 & ON F9D+
T WE 7 V POOR1 HE SU7E/$ T ,I %D -E & T1*
MUSIC 6HIS ONLY DAU<T]1 AG$ T54 ,I SD T ,I
DID N L 6L1VE MY "M1 ON : HE SU7E/$ T ,I
%D G HOME 6H] E WEEK-5D1 & HE (F]$ ME A
HUNDR$ A YE>1 : 0 C]TA9LY SPL5DID PAY4 ,S
X 5D$ 0MY A3EPT+1 & ,I W5T D[N 6,*ILT]N
,GRANGE1 AB SIX MILES F ,F>NHAM4 ,MR4
,C>RU!RS 0 A WID[]1 B HE _H 5GAG$ A LADY
H\SEKEEP]1 A V RESPECTA#1 ELD]LY P]SON1
CALL$ ,MRS4 ,DIXON1 6LOOK AF 8 E/ABLI%;T4
,! * 0 A DE>1 & "EY?+ PROMIS$ WELL4 ,MR4
,C>RU!RS 0 V K9D & V MUSICAL1 & WE _H MO/
PL1SANT EV5+S TGR4 ,E WEEK-5D ,I W5T HOME
6MY "M 9 T[N4
  8,! F/ FLAW 9 MY HAPPI;S 0 ! >RIVAL (!
R$-M\/A*$ ,MR4 ,WOODLEY4 ,HE CAME =A VISIT
(A WEEK1 & OH6 X SEEM$ ?REE MON?S 6ME4 ,HE
0 A DR1D;L P]SON- A BULLY 6"EY"O ELSE1 B
6ME "S?+ 9F9ITELY WORSE4 ,HE MADE ODI\SLOVE 6ME1 BOA/$ ( 8 W1L?1 SD T IF ,I    #G
M>RI$ HM ,I CD H ! F9E/ DIAMONDS 9
,LONDON1 & F9,Y1 :5 ,I WD H NO?+ 6D ) HM1
HE SEIZ$ ME 9 8 >MS "O "D AF D9N]- HE 0
HIDE\SLY /R;G- & SWORE T HE WD N LET ME G
UNTIL ,I _H KISS$ HM4 ,MR4 ,C>RU!RS CAME 9
& TORE HM F ME1 ON : HE TURN$ ^U 8 [N HO/1
KNOCK+ HM D[N & CUTT+ 8 FACE OP54 ,T 0 !
5D ( 8 VISIT1 Z Y C IMAG9E4 ,MR4 ,C>RU!RS
APOLOGIZ$ 6ME NEXT "D1 & ASSUR$ ME T ,I %D
N"E 2 EXPOS$ 6S* AN 9SULT AG4 ,I H N SE5
,MR4 ,WOODLEY S9CE4
  8,& N[1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 ,I -E AT LA/ 6!
SPECIAL ?+ : HAS CAUS$ ME 6ASK YR ADVICE
TO-"D4 ,Y M/ "K T E ,SATUR"D =ENOON ,I
RIDE ON MY BICYCLE 6,F>NHAM ,/,N1 9 ORD]
6GET ! #AB3BB 6T[N4 ,! ROAD F ,*ILT]N
,GRANGE IS A L"OLY "O1 & AT "O SPOT X IS
"PICUL>LY S1 = X LIES = OV] A MILE 2T
,*>L+TON ,H1? ^U "O SIDE &! WOODS : LIE
R.D ,*>L+TON ,HALL ^U ! O!R4 ,Y CD N F9D A
M L"OLY TRACT ( ROAD ANY":1 & X IS Q R>E
6MEET S M* Z A C>T1 OR A P1SANT1 UNTIL Y
R1* ! HI< ROAD NE> ,CROOKSBURY ,HILL4 ,TWO
WEEKS AGO ,I 0 PASS+ ? PLACE1 :5 ,I *.ED6LOOK BACK OV] MY %\LD]1 & AB TWO       #H
HUNDR$ Y>DS 2H ME ,I SAW A MAN1 AL ON A
BICYCLE4 ,HE SEEM$ 6BE A MI4LE-AG$ MAN1 )A
%ORT1 D>K BE>D4 ,I LOOK$ BACK 2F ,I R1*$
,F>NHAM1 B ! MAN 0 G"O1 S ,I ?"\ NO M AB
X4 ,B Y C IMAG9E H[ SURPRIS$ ,I WAS1 ,MR4
,HOLMES1 :51 ON MY RETURN ON ! ,MON"D1 ,I
SAW ! SAME MAN ON ! SAME /RET* ( ROAD4 ,MY
A/ONI%;T 0 9CR1S$ :5 ! 9CID5T O3URR$ AG1
EXACTLY Z 2F1 ON ! FOLL[+ ,SATUR"D &
,MON"D4 ,HE ALW KEPT 8 4T.E & DID N MOLE/
ME 9 ANY WAY1 B / X C]TA9LY 0 V ODD4 ,I
M5;N$ X 6,MR4 ,C>RU!RS1 :O SEEM$ 9T]E/$ 9
:AT ,I SD1 & TOLD ME T HE _H ORD]$ A HORSE
& TRAP1 S T 9 FUTURE ,I %D N PASS OV] ^!
L"OLY ROADS )\T "S -PANION4
  8,! HORSE & TRAP 7 6H -E ? WEEK1 B = "S
R1SON !Y 7 N DELIV]$1 & AG ,I _H 6CYCLE 6!
/,N4 ,T 0 ? MORN+4 ,Y C ?9K T ,I LOOK$ \
:5 ,I CAME 6,*>L+TON ,H1?1 & "!1 SURE 5\<1
0 ! MAN1 EXACTLY Z HE _H BE5 ! TWO WEEKS
2F4 ,HE ALW KEPT S F> F ME T ,I CD N
CLE>LY SEE 8 FACE1 B X 0 C]TA9LY "S"O :OM
,I DID N "K4 ,HE 0 DRESS$ 9 A D>K SUIT )A
CLO? CAP4 ,! ONLY ?+ AB 8 FACE T ,I CDCLE>LY SEE 0 8 D>K BE>D4 ,TO-"D ,I 0    #I
N AL>M$1 B ,I 0 FILL$ ) CURIOS;Y1 & ,I
DET]M9$ 6F9D \ :O HE 0 & :AT HE WANT$4 ,I
SL[$ D[N MY MA*9E1 B HE SL[$ D[N HIS4 ,!N
,I /OPP$ ALT1 B HE /OPP$ AL4 ,!N ,I LAID A
TRAP = HM4 ,"! IS A %>P TURN+ (! ROAD1 &
,I P$ALL$ V QKLY R.D ?1 & !N ,I /OPP$ &
WAIT$4 ,I EXPECT$ HM 6%OOT R.D & PASS ME
2F HE CD /OP4 ,B HE N"E APPE>$4 ,!N ,I W5T
BACK & LOOK$ R.D ! CORN]4 ,I CD SEE A MILE
( ROAD1 B HE 0 N ON X4 ,6MAKE X ! M
EXTRAORD9>Y1 "! 0 NO SIDE ROAD AT ? PO9T
D[N : HE CD H G"O40
  ,HOLMES *UCKL$ & RU2$ 8 H&S4 8,? CASE
C]TA9LY PRES5TS "S F1TURES ( XS [N10 SD
HE4 8,H[ M* "T ELAPS$ 2T YR TURN+ ! CORN]
& YR 4COV]Y T ! ROAD 0 CLE>80
  8,TWO OR ?REE M9UTES40
  8,!N HE CD N H RETR1T$ D[N ! ROAD1 & Y
SAY T "! >E NO SIDE ROADS80
  8,N"O40
  8,!N HE C]TA9LY TOOK A FOOTPA? ON "O
SIDE OR ! O!R40
  8,X CD N H BE5 ON ! SIDE (! H1?1 OR ,I
%D H SE5 HM40  8,S1 0! PROCESS ( EXCLU.N1 WE        #AJ
>RIVE AT ! FACT T HE MADE 8 WAY T[>D
,*>L+TON ,HALL1 :1 Z ,I "U/&1 IS SITUAT$ 9
XS [N GR.DS ON "O SIDE (! ROAD4 ,ANY?+
ELSE80
  8,NO?+1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 SAVE T ,I 0 S
P]PLEX$ T ,I FELT ,I %D N 2 HAPPY UNTIL ,I
_H SE5 Y & _H YR ADVICE40
  ,HOLMES SAT 9 SIL;E = "S LL "T4
  8,": IS ! G5TLEMAN 6:OM Y >E 5GAG$80 HE
ASK$ AT LA/4
  8,HE IS 9 ! ,MIDL& ,ELECTRICAL ,-PANY1
AT ,COV5TRY40
  8,HE WD N PAY Y A SURPRISE VISIT80
  8,OH1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES6 ,Z IF ,I %D N "K
HM60
  8,H Y _H ANY O!R ADMIR]S80
  8,S"EAL 2F ,I KNEW ,CYRIL40
  8,& S9CE80
  8,"! 0 ? DR1D;L MAN1 ,WOODLEY1 IF Y C
CALL HM AN ADMIR]40
  8,NO "O ELSE80
  ,\R FAIR CLI5T SEEM$ A LL 3FUS$4
  8,:O 0 HE80 ASK$ ,HOLMES4
  8,OH1 X MAY 2 A M]E FANCY ( M9E2 B X _HSEEM$ 6ME "S"TS T MY EMPLOY]1 ,MR4     #AA
,C>RU!RS1 TAKES A GRT D1L ( 9T]E/ 9 ME4
,WE >E ?R[N R TGR4 ,I PLAY 8 A3OMPANI;TS 9
! EV5+4 ,HE HAS N"E SD ANY?+4 ,HE IS A
P]FECT G5TLEMAN4 ,B A GIRL ALW "KS40
  8,HA60 ,HOLMES LOOK$ GRAVE4 8,:AT DOES
HE D =A LIV+80
  8,HE IS A RI* MAN40
  8,NO C>RIAGES OR HORSES80
  8,WELL1 AT L1/ HE IS FAIRLY WELL-TO-D4
,B HE GOES 96! C;Y TWO OR ?REE "TS A WEEK4
,HE IS DEEPLY 9T]E/$ 9 ,S\? ,AFRICAN GOLD
%>ES40
  8,Y W LET ME "K ANY FRE% DEVELOP;T1
,MISS ,SMI?4 ,I AM V BUSY J N[1 B ,I W F9D
"T 6MAKE "S 9QUIRIES 96YR CASE4 ,9 !
M1N"T1 TAKE NO /EP )\T LETT+ ME "K4 ,GD-
BYE1 & ,I TRU/ T WE % H NO?+ B GD NEWS F
Y40
  8,X IS "P (! SETTL$ ORD] ( ,NATURE T S*
A GIRL %D H FOLL[]S10 SD ,HOLMES1 HE PULL$
AT 8 M$ITATIVE PIPE1 8B = *OICE N ON
BICYCLES 9 L"OLY C.TRY ROADS4 ,"S
SECRETIVE LOV]1 2Y ALL D\BT4 ,B "! >E
CURI\S & SU7E/IVE DETAILS AB ! CASE1,WATSON40                              #AB
  8,T HE %D APPE> ONLY AT T PO9T80
  8,EXACTLY4 ,\R F/ EF=T M/ 2 6F9D :O >E !
T5ANTS ( ,*>L+TON ,HALL4 ,!N1 AG1 H[ AB !
3NEC;N 2T ,C>RU!RS & ,WOODLEY1 S9CE !Y
APPE> 6BE M5 ( S* A DI6]5T TYPE8 ,H[ CAME
!Y BO? 6BE S KE5 ^U LOOK+ UP ,RALPH
,SMI?'S REL,NS8 ,"O M PO9T4 ,:AT SORT (A
M5AGE IS X : PAYS D\# ! M>KET PRICE =A
GOV];S B DOES N KEEP A HORSE1 AL? SIX
MILES F ! /,N8 ,ODD1 ,WATSON- V ODD60
  8,Y W G D[N80
  8,NO1 MY DE> FELL[1 Y W G D[N4 ,? MAY 2
"S TRIFL+ 9TRIGUE1 & ,I _C BR1K MY O!R
IMPORTANT RESE>* =! SAKE ( X4 ,ON ,MON"D Y
W >RIVE E>LY AT ,F>NHAM2 Y W 3C1L YRF NE>
,*>L+TON ,H1?2 Y W OBS]VE ^! FACTS = YRF1
& ACT Z YR [N JUDG;T ADVISES4 ,!N1 HAV+
9QUIR$ Z 6! O3UPANTS (! ,HALL1 Y W -E BACK
6ME & REPORT4 ,& N[1 ,WATSON1 N ANO!R ^W (
! MATT] UNTIL WE H A FEW SOLID /EPP+/"OS
ON : WE MAY HOPE 6GET ACR 6\R SOLU;N40
  ,WE _H ASC]TA9$ F ! LADY T %E W5T D[N ^U
! ,MON"D 0! TRA9 : L1VES ,WAT]LOO AT
#I3EJ1 S ,I />T$ E>LY & CAU<T ! #I3AC4 ,AT,F>NHAM ,/,N ,I _H NO DI6ICULTY 9 2+   #AC
DIRECT$ 6,*>L+TON ,H1?4 ,X 0 IMPOSSI#
6MISTAKE SC5E (! "Y LADY'S ADV5TURE1 =!
ROAD RUNS 2T ! OP5 H1? ON "O SIDE & AN OLD
YEW H$GE ^U ! O!R1 SURR.D+ A P>K : IS /U4$
) MAGNIFIC5T TREES4 ,"! 0 A MA9 GATEWAY (
LI*5-/U4$ /"O1 EA* SIDE PILL> SURM.T$
0M\LD]+ H]ALDIC EM#MS1 B 2SS ? C5TRAL
C>RIAGE DRIVE ,I OBS]V$ S"EAL PO9TS ": "!
7 GAPS 9 ! H$GE & PA?S L1D+ "? !M4 ,! H\SE
0 9VISI# F ! ROAD1 B ! SURR.D+S ALL SPOKE
( GLOOM & DECAY4
  ,! H1? 0 COV]$ ) GOLD5 PAT*ES ( FL[]+
GORSE1 GL1M+ MAGNIFIC5TLY 9 ! LI<T (! B"R
SPR+ SUN%9E4 ,2H ( ^! CLUMPS ,I TOOK UP MY
POSI;N1 S Z 6-M& BO? ! GATEWAY (! ,HALL &A
L;G /RET* (! ROAD ^U EI SIDE4 ,X _H BE5
DES]T$ :5 ,I LEFT X1 B N[ ,I SAW A CYCLI/
RID+ D[N X F ! OPPOSITE DIREC;N 6T 9 : ,I
_H -E4 ,HE 0 CLAD 9 A D>K SUIT1 & ,I SAW T
HE _H A BLACK BE>D4 ,ON R1*+ ! 5D (!
,*>L+TON GR.DS1 HE SPRANG F 8 MA*9E & L$ X
"? A GAP 9 ! H$GE1 4APPE>+ F MY VIEW4
  ,A QU>T] ( AN H\R PASS$1 & !N A SECOND
CYCLI/ APPE>$4 ,? "T X 0 ! "Y LADY -+ F !/,N4 ,I SAW H] LOOK AB H] Z %E CAME    #AD
6! ,*>L+TON H$GE4 ,AN 9/ANT LAT] ! MAN
EM]G$ F 8 HID+-PLACE1 SPRANG ^U 8 CYCLE1 &
FOLL[$ H]4 ,9 ALL ! BROAD L&SCAPE ^? 7 !
ONLY MOV+ FIGURES1 ! GRACE;L GIRL SITT+ V
/RAI<T ^U H] MA*9E1 &! MAN 2H H] B5D+ L[
OV] 8 H&LE-B> )A CURI\SLY FURTIVE SU7ES;N
9 E MOVE;T4 ,%E LOOK$ BACK AT HM & SL[$ H]
PACE4 ,HE SL[$ AL4 ,%E /OPP$4 ,HE AT ONCE
/OPP$1 TOO1 KEEP+ TWO HUNDR$ Y>DS 2H H]4
,H] NEXT MOVE;T 0 Z UNEXPECT$ Z X 0 _S$4
,%E SU45LY :ISK$ H] :EELS R.D & DA%$
/RAI<T AT HM4 ,HE 0 Z QK Z %E1 H["E1 &
D>T$ (F 9 DESP]ATE FLI<T4 ,PRES5TLY %E
CAME BACK UP ! ROAD AG1 H] H1D HAU<TILY 9
! AIR1 N DEIGN+ 6TAKE ANY FUR!R NOTICE (
H] SIL5T ATT5DANT4 ,HE _H TURN$ AL1 & /
KEPT 8 4T.E UNTIL ! CURVE (! ROAD HID !M F
MY SI<T4
  ,I REMA9$ 9 MY HID+-PLACE1 & X 0 WELL T
,I DID S1 = PRES5TLY ! MAN REAPPE>$1 CYCL+
SL[LY BACK4 ,HE TURN$ 9 AT ! ,HALL GATES1
& 4M.T$ F 8 MA*9E4 ,= "S M9UTES ,I CD SEE
HM /&+ AM;G ! TREES4 ,8 H&S 7 RAIS$1 & HE
SEEM$ 6BE SETTL+ 8 NECKTIE4 ,!N HE M.T$ 8CYCLE1 & RODE AWAY F ME D[N ! DRIVE    #AE
T[>DS ! ,HALL4 ,I RAN ACR ! H1? & PE]$ "?
! TREES4 ,F> AWAY ,I CD CAT* GLIMPSES (!
OLD GRAY BUILD+ ) XS BRI/L+ ,TUDOR
*IMNEYS1 B ! DRIVE RAN "? A D5SE %RU2]Y1 &
,I SAW NO M ( MY MAN4
  ,H["E1 X SEEM$ 6ME T ,I _H D"O A FAIRLY
GD MORN+'S "W1 & ,I WALK$ BACK 9 HI< _SS
6,F>NHAM4 ,! LOCAL H\SE AG5T CD TELL ME
NO?+ AB ,*>L+TON ,HALL1 & REF]R$ ME 6A
WELL "KN FIRM 9 ,PALL ,MALL4 ,"! ,I HALT$
ON MY WAY HOME1 & MET ) C\RTESY F !
REPRES5TATIVE4 ,NO1 ,I CD N H ,*>L+TON
,HALL =! SUMM]4 ,I 0 J TOO LATE4 ,X _H BE5
LET AB A MON? AGO4 ,MR4 ,WILLIAMSON 0 ! "N
(! T5ANT4 ,HE 0 A RESPECTA#1 ELD]LY
G5TLEMAN4 ,! POLITE AG5T 0 AFRAID HE CD
SAY NO M1 Z ! A6AIRS ( 8 CLI5TS 7 N MATT]S
: HE CD 4CUSS4
  ,MR4 ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES LI/5$ ) ATT5;N 6!
L;G REPORT : ,I 0 A# 6PRES5T 6HM T EV5+1 B
X DID N ELICIT T ^W ( CURT PRAISE : ,I _H
HOP$ =& %D H VALU$4 ,ON ! 3TR>Y1 8 AU/]E
FACE 0 EV5 M SEV]E ?AN USUAL Z HE -;T$ ^U
! ?+S T ,I _H D"O &! ?+S T ,I _H N4  8,YR HID+-PLACE1 MY DE> ,WATSON1 0   #AF
V FAULTY4 ,Y %D H BE5 2H ! H$GE1 !N Y WD H
_H A CLOSE VIEW ( ? 9T]E/+ P]SON4 ,Z X IS1
Y 7 "S HUNDR$S ( Y>DS AWAY & C TELL ME EV5
LESS ?AN ,MISS ,SMI?4 ,%E ?9KS %E DOES N
"K ! MAN2 ,I AM 3V9C$ %E DOES4 ,:Y1
O!RWISE1 %D HE 2 S DESP]ATELY ANXI\S T %E
%D N GET S NE> HM Z 6SEE 8 F1TURES8 ,Y
DESCRIBE HM Z B5D+ OV] ! H&LE-B>4 ,3C1L;T
AG1 Y SEE4 ,Y RE,Y H D"O REM>KABLY BADLY4
,HE RETURNS 6! H\SE1 & Y WANT 6F9D \ :O HE
IS4 ,Y -E 6A ,LONDON H\SE AG5T60
  8,:AT %D ,I H D"O80 ,I CRI$1 ) "S H1T4
  8,G"O 6! NE>E/ PUBLIC-H\SE4 ,T IS !
C5TRE ( C.TRY GOSSIP4 ,!Y WD H TOLD Y E
"N1 F ! MA/] 6! SCULL]Y-MAID4 ,WILLIAMSON8
,X 3VEYS NO?+ 6MY M9D4 ,IF HE IS AN ELD]LY
MAN HE IS N ? ACTIVE CYCLI/ :O SPR9TS AWAY
F T "Y LADY'S A?LETIC PURSUIT4 ,:AT H WE
GA9$ 0YR EXP$I;N8 ,! K T ! GIRL'S /ORY IS
TRUE4 ,I N"E D\BT$ X4 ,T "! IS A 3NEC;N 2T
! CYCLI/ &! ,HALL4 ,I N"E D\BT$ T EI4 ,T !
,HALL IS T5ANT$ 0,WILLIAMSON4 ,:O'S !
BETT] = T8 ,WELL1 WELL1 MY DE> SIR1 DON'T
LOOK S DEPRESS$4 ,WE C D LL M UNTIL NEXT,SATUR"D1 & 9 ! M1N"T ,I MAY MAKE "O   #AG
OR TWO 9QUIRIES MYF40
  ,NEXT MORN+1 WE _H A NOTE F ,MISS ,SMI?1
REC.T+ %ORTLY & A3URATELY ! V 9CID5TS : ,I
_H SE51 B ! PI? (! LR LAY 9 ! PO/SCRIPT3
  ,I AM SURE T Y W RESPECT MY 3FID;E1 ,MR4
,HOLMES1 :5 ,I TELL Y T MY PLACE "H HAS
2COME DI6ICULT1 [+ 6! FACT T MY EMPLOY]
HAS PROPOS$ M>RIAGE 6ME4 ,I AM 3V9C$ T 8
FEEL+S >E MO/ DEEP & MO/ HON\RA#4 ,AT !
SAME "T1 MY PROMISE IS ( C\RSE GIV54 ,HE
TOOK MY REFUSAL V S]I\SLY1 B AL V G5TLY4
,Y C "U/&1 H["E1 T ! SITU,N IS A LL /RA9$4
  8,\R "Y FR SEEMS 6BE GETT+ 96DEEP
WAT]S10 SD ,HOLMES1 ?"\;LLY1 Z HE F9I%$ !
LR4 8,! CASE C]TA9LY PRES5TS M F1TURES (
9T]E/ & M POSSIBIL;Y ( DEVELOP;T ?AN ,I _H
ORIG9,Y ?"\4 ,I %D 2 N"O ! WORSE =A QUIET1
P1CE;L "D 9 ! C.TRY1 & ,I AM 9CL9$ 6RUN
D[N ? AFN & TE/ "O OR TWO !ORIES : ,I H
=M$40
  ,HOLMES'S QUIET "D 9 ! C.TRY _H A S+UL>
T]M9,N1 = HE >RIV$ AT ,BAK] ,/REET LATE 9
! EV5+1 )A CUT LIP &A 4COL\R$ LUMP ^U 8
=EH1D1 2SS A G5]AL AIR ( 4SIP,N : WD HMADE 8 [N P]SON ! FITT+ OBJECT (A      #AH
,SCOTL& ,Y>D 9VE/IG,N4 ,HE 0 IMM5SELY
TICKL$ 0HIS [N ADV5TURES & LAU<$ HE>TILY Z
2 REC.T$ !M4
  8,I GET S LL ACTIVE EX]CISE T X IS ALW A
TR1T0 SD HE4 8,Y >E AW>E T ,I H "S
PROFICI5CY 9 ! GD OLD ,BRITI% SPORT (
BOX+4 ,O3A.N,Y1 X IS ( S]VICE1 TO-"D1 =
EXAMPLE1 ,I %D H -E 6V IGNOM9I\S GRIEF )\T
X40
  ,I BE7$ HM 6TELL ME :AT _H O3URR$4
  8,I F.D T C.TRY PUB : ,I _H ALR
RECOMM5D$ 6YR NOTICE1 & "! ,I MADE MY
4CREET 9QUIRIES4 ,I 0 9 ! B>1 &A G>RUL\S
L&"L 0 GIV+ ME ALL T ,I WANT$4 ,WILLIAMSON
IS A :ITE-BE>D$ MAN1 & HE LIVES AL"O )A
SMALL /AFF ( S]VANTS AT ! ,HALL4 ,"! IS "S
RUMOR T HE IS OR HAS BE5 A CL]GYMAN1 B "O
OR TWO 9CID5TS ( 8 %ORT RESID;E AT ! ,HALL
/RUCK ME Z PECULI>LY UNE3LESIA/ICAL4 ,I H
ALR MADE "S 9QUIRIES AT A CL]ICAL AG5CY1 &
!Y TELL ME T "! 0 A MAN ( T "N 9 ORD]S1 ^:
C>E] HAS BE5 A S+UL>LY D>K "O4 ,! L&"L
FUR!R 9=M$ ME T "! >E USU,Y WEEK5D
VISITORS--@_@A W>M LOT1 SIR0'- AT ! ,HALL1& ESPECI,Y "O G5TLEMAN )A R$ M\/A*E1   #AI
,MR4 ,WOODLEY 0"N1 :O 0 ALW "!4 ,WE _H GOT
Z F> Z ?1 :5 :O %D WALK 9 B ! G5TLEMAN
HMF1 :O _H BE5 DR9K+ 8 BE] 9 ! TAP-ROOM &
_H HE>D ! :OLE 3V]S,N4 ,:O 0 ,I8 ,:AT DID
,I WANT8 ,:AT DID ,I M1N 0ASK+ "QS8 ,HE _H
A F9E FL[ ( LANGUAGE1 & 8 ADJECTIVES 7 V
VIGOR\S4 ,HE 5D$ A /R+ ( ABUSE 0A VICI\S
BACKH&]1 : ,I FAIL$ 65TIRELY AVOID4 ,!
NEXT FEW M9UTES 7 DELICI\S4 ,X 0 A /RAI<T
LEFT AG/ A SLO7+ RU6IAN4 ,I EM]G$ Z Y SEE
ME4 ,MR4 ,WOODLEY W5T HOME 9 A C>T4 ,S 5D$
MY C.TRY TRIP1 & X M/ 2 3FESS$ T1 H["E
5JOYA#1 MY "D ON ! ,SURREY BORD] HAS N BE5
M* M PR(ITA# ?AN YR [N40
  ,! ,?URS"D BR"\ U ANO!R LR F \R CLI5T4
  ,Y W N 2 SURPRIS$1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES ,7SD
%E7' 6HE> T ,I AM L1V+ ,MR4 ,C>RU!RS'S
EMPLOY;T4 ,EV5 ! HI< PAY _C RECONCILE ME
6! 4COM=TS ( MY SITU,N4 ,ON ,SATUR"D ,I -E
UP 6T[N1 & ,I D N 9T5D 6RETURN4 ,MR4
,C>RU!RS HAS GOT A TRAP1 & S ! DANG]S (!
L"OLY ROAD1 IF "! "E 7 ANY DANG]S1 >E N[
OV]4
  ,Z 6! SPECIAL CAUSE ( MY L1V+1 X IS NM]ELY ! /RA9$ SITU,N ) ,MR4            #BJ
,C>RU!RS1 B X IS ! REAPPE>.E ( T ODI\S
MAN1 ,MR4 ,WOODLEY4 ,HE 0 ALW HIDE\S1 B HE
LOOKS M AW;L ?AN "E N[1 = HE APPE>S 6H _H
AN A3ID5T & HE IS M* 4FIGUR$4 ,I SAW HM \
(! W9D[1 B ,I AM GLAD 6SAY ,I DID N MEET
HM4 ,HE _H A L;G TALK ) ,MR4 ,C>RU!RS1 :O
SEEM$ M* EXCIT$ AFWS4 ,WOODLEY M/ 2 /AY+ 9
! NEI<B\RHOOD1 = HE DID N SLEEP "H1 & YET
,I CAU<T A GLIMPSE ( HM AG ? MORN+1 SL9K+
AB 9 ! %RU2]Y4 ,I WD SOON] H A SAVAGE WILD
ANIMAL LOOSE AB ! PLACE4 ,I LOA! & FE> HM
M ?AN ,I C SAY4 ,H[ C ,MR4 ,C>RU!RS 5DURE
S* A CR1TURE =A MO;T8 ,H["E1 ALL MY TR\#S
W 2 OV] ON ,SATUR"D4
  8,S ,I TRU/1 ,WATSON1 S ,I TRU/0 SD
,HOLMES1 GRAVELY4 8,"! IS "S DEEP 9TRIGUE
GO+ ON R.D T LL WOMAN1 & X IS \R DUTY 6SEE
T NO "O MOLE/S H] ^U T LA/ J\RNEY4 ,I ?9K1
,WATSON1 T WE M/ SP>E "T 6RUN D[N TGR ON
,SATUR"D MORN+ & MAKE SURE T ? CURI\S &
9CLUSIVE 9VE/IG,N HAS NO UNT[>D 5D+40
  ,I 3FESS T ,I _H N UP 6N[ TAK5 A V S]I\S
VIEW (! CASE1 : _H SEEM$ 6ME R GROTESQUE &
BIZ>RE ?AN DANG]\S4 ,T A MAN %D LIE 9 WAIT=& FOLL[ A V H&"S WOMAN IS NO          #BA
UNHE>D-( ?+1 & IF HE HAS S LL AUDAC;Y T HE
N ONLY D>$ N A4RESS H]1 B EV5 FL$ F H]
APPROA*1 HE 0 N A V =MIDA# ASSAILANT4 ,!
RU6IAN ,WOODLEY 0 A V DI6]5T P]SON1 B1
EXCEPT ON "O O3A.N1 HE _H N MOLE/$ \R
CLI5T1 & N[ HE VISIT$ ! H\SE ( ,C>RU!RS
)\T 9TRUD+ ^U H] PRES;E4 ,! MAN ON !
BICYCLE 0 D\BT.S A MEMB] ( ^? WEEK-5D
"PIES AT ! ,HALL ( : ! PUBLICAN _H SPOK51
B :O HE WAS1 OR :AT HE WANT$1 0 Z OBSCURE
Z "E4 ,X 0 ! SEV];Y ( ,HOLMES'S MANN] &!
FACT T HE SLIPP$ A REVOLV] 96HIS POCKET 2F
L1V+ \R ROOMS : IMPRESS$ ME )! FEEL+ T
TRAG$Y MI<T PROVE 6LURK 2H ? CURI\S TRA9 (
EV5TS4
  ,A RA9Y NI<T _H BE5 FOLL[$ 0A GLORI\S
MORN+1 &! H1?-COV]$ C.TRYSIDE1 )! GL[+
CLUMPS ( FL[]+ GORSE1 SEEM$ ALL ! M
B1UTI;L 6EYES : 7 WE>Y (! DUNS & DRABS &
SLATE GRAYS ( ,LONDON4 ,HOLMES & ,I WALK$
AL;G ! BROAD1 S&Y ROAD 9HAL+ ! FRE% MORN+
AIR & RJCG 9 ! MUSIC (! BIRDS &! FRE% BR1?
(! SPR+4 ,F A RISE (! ROAD ON ! %\LD] (
,CROOKSBURY ,HILL1 WE CD SEE ! GRIM ,HALLBRI/L+ \ F AMID/ ! ANCI5T OAKS1 :1     #BB
OLD Z !Y W]E1 7 / "Y] ?AN ! BUILD+ : !Y
SURR.D$4 ,HOLMES PO9T$ D[N ! L;G TRACT (
ROAD : W.D1 A R$DI% YELL[ B&1 2T ! BR[N (!
H1? &! BU4+ GRE5 (! WOODS4 ,F> AWAY1 A
BLACK DOT1 WE CD SEE A VEHICLE MOV+ 9 \R
DIREC;N4 ,HOLMES GAVE AN EXCLAM,N (
IMPATI;E4
  8,I H GIV5 A M>G9 ( HALF AN H\R10 SD HE4
8,IF T IS H] TRAP1 %E M/ 2 MAK+ =! E>LI]
TRA94 ,I FE>1 ,WATSON1 T %E W 2 PA/
,*>L+TON 2F WE C POSSIBLY MEET H]40
  ,F ! 9/ANT T WE PASS$ ! RISE1 WE CD NO
L;G] SEE ! VEHICLE1 B WE HA/5$ ONW>D AT S*
A PACE T MY S$5T>Y LIFE 2GAN 6TELL ^U ME1
& ,I 0 -PELL$ 6FALL 2H4 ,HOLMES1 H["E1 0
ALW 9 TRA9+1 = HE _H 9EXHAU/I# /ORES (
N]V\S 5]GY ^U : 6DRAW4 ,8 SPR+Y /EP N"E
SL[$ UNTIL SU45LY1 :5 HE 0 A HUNDR$ Y>DS 9
FRONT ( ME1 HE HALT$1 & ,I SAW HM ?R[ UP 8
H& )A GE/URE ( GRIEF & DESPAIR4 ,AT ! SAME
9/ANT AN EMPTY DOG-C>T1 ! HORSE CANT]+1 !
RE9S TRAIL+1 APPE>$ R.D ! CURVE (! ROAD &
RATTL$ SWIFTLY T[>DS U4
  8,TOO LATE1 ,WATSON1 TOO LATE60 CRI$,HOLMES1 Z ,I RAN PANT+ 6HIS SIDE4     #BC
8,FOOL T ,I 0 N 6ALL[ = T E>LI] TRA96 ,X'S
ABDUC;N1 ,WATSON- ABDUC;N6 ,MURD]6 ,H1V5
"KS :AT6 ,BLOCK ! ROAD6 ,/OP ! HORSE6 ,T'S
"R4 ,N[1 JUMP IN1 & LET U SEE IF ,I C
REPAIR ! 3SEQU;ES ( MY [N BL"U40
  ,WE _H SPRUNG 96! DOG-C>T1 & ,HOLMES1 AF
TURN+ ! HORSE1 GAVE X A %>P CUT )! :IP1 &
WE FLEW BACK AL;G ! ROAD4 ,Z WE TURN$ !
CURVE1 ! :OLE /RET* ( ROAD 2T ! ,HALL &!
H1? 0 OP5$ UP4 ,I GRASP$ ,HOLMES'S >M4
  8,T'S ! MAN60 ,I GASP$4
  ,A SOLIT>Y CYCLI/ 0 -+ T[>DS U4 ,8 H1D 0
D[N & 8 %\LD]S R.D$1 Z HE PUT E \NCE (
5]GY T HE POSSESS$ ON 6! P$ALS4 ,HE 0 FLY+
L A RAC]4 ,SU45LY HE RAIS$ 8 BE>D$ FACE1
SAW U CLOSE 6HM1 & PULL$ UP1 SPR++ F 8
MA*9E4 ,T COAL-BLACK BE>D 0 9 S+UL> 3TRA/
6EYES 7 Z B"R Z IF HE _H A FEV]4 ,HE />$
AT U & AT ! DOG-C>T4 ,!N A LOOK ( AMAZE;T
CAME OV] 8 FACE4
  8,HALLOA6 ,/OP "!60 HE %\T$1 HOLD+ 8
BICYCLE 6BLOCK \R ROAD4 8,": DID Y GET T
DOG-C>T8 ,PULL UP1 MAN60 HE YELL$1 DRAW+ A
PI/OL F 8 SIDE 8,PULL UP1 ,I SAY1 OR10,GEORGE1 ,I'LL PUT A BULLET 96YR      #BD
HORSE40
  ,HOLMES ?REW ! RE9S 96MY LAP & SPRANG
D[N F ! C>T4
  8,Y'RE ! MAN WE WANT 6SEE4 ,": IS ,MISS
,VIOLET ,SMI?80 HE SD1 9 8 QK1 CLE> WAY4
  8,T'S :AT ,I'M ASK+ Y4 ,Y'RE 9 H] DOG-
C>T4 ,Y "\ 6"K ": %E IS40
  8,WE MET ! DOG-C>T ON ! ROAD4 ,"! 0 NO
"O 9 X4 ,WE DROVE BACK 6HELP ! "Y LADY40
  8,GD ,"L6 ,GD ,"L6 ,:AT % ,I D80 CRI$ !
/RANG]1 9 AN EC/ASY ( DESPAIR4 8,!Y'VE GOT
H]1 T HELL-H.D ,WOODLEY &! BLACKGU>D
P>SON4 ,-E1 MAN1 -E1 IF Y RE,Y >E H] FR4
,/& 0ME & WE'LL SAVE H]1 IF ,I H 6L1VE MY
C>CASS 9 ,*>L+TON ,WOOD40
  ,HE RAN 4TRACT$LY1 8 PI/OL 9 8 H&1 T[>DS
A GAP 9 ! H$GE4 ,HOLMES FOLL[$ HM1 & ,I1
L1V+ ! HORSE GRAZ+ 2S ! ROAD1 FOLL[$
,HOLMES4
  8,? IS ": !Y CAME "?10 SD HE1 PO9T+ 6!
M>KS ( S"EAL FEET ^U ! MU4Y PA?4 8,HALLOA6
,/OP A M9UTE6 ,:O'S ? 9 ! BU%80
  ,X 0 A "Y FELL[ AB SEV5TE51 DRESS$ L AN
O/L]1 ) L1!R CORDS & GAIT]S4 ,HE LAY ^U 8BACK1 8 KNEES DRAWN UP1 A T]RI# CUT    #BE
^U 8 H1D4 ,HE 0 9S5SI#1 B ALIVE4 ,A GL.E
AT 8 W.D TOLD ME T X _H N P5ETRAT$ ! B"O4
  8,T'S ,PET]1 ! GROOM10 CRI$ ! /RANG]4
8,HE DROVE H]4 ,! B1/S H PULL$ HM (F &
CLU2$ HM4 ,LET HM LIE2 WE C'T D HM ANY GD1
B WE MAY SAVE H] F ! WOR/ FATE T C 2FALL A
WOMAN40
  ,WE RAN FRANTIC,Y D[N ! PA?1 : W.D AM;G
! TREES4 ,WE _H R1*$ ! %RU2]Y : SURR.D$ !
H\SE :5 ,HOLMES PULL$ UP4
  8,!Y DIDN'T G 6! H\SE4 ,"H >E _! M>KS ON
! LEFT- "H1 2S ! LAUREL BU%ES4 ,AH6 ,I SD
S40
  ,Z HE SPOKE1 A WOMAN'S %RILL SCR1M- A
SCR1M : VIBRAT$ )A FR5ZY ( HORROR- BUR/ F
! ?ICK1 GRE5 CLUMP ( BU%ES 9 FRONT ( U4 ,X
5D$ SU45LY ON XS HI<E/ NOTE )A *OKE &A
GURGLE4
  8,? WAY6 ,? WAY6 ,!Y >E 9 ! B[L+-ALLEY10
CRI$ ! /RANG]1 D>T+ "? ! BU%ES4 8,AH1 !
C[>DLY DOGS6 ,FOLL[ ME1 G5TLEM56 ,TOO
LATE6 TOO LATE6 0! LIV+ ,J+O60
  ,WE _H BROK5 SU45LY 96A LOVELY GLADE (
GRE5SW>D SURR.D$ 0ANCI5T TREES4 ,ON ! F>!RSIDE ( X1 "U ! %AD[ (A MI<TY OAK1 "!   #BF
/OOD A S+UL> GR\P ( ?REE P4 ,"O 0 A WOMAN1
\R CLI5T1 DROOP+ & FA9T1 A H&K]*IEF R.D H]
M\?4 ,OPPOSITE H] /OOD A BRUTAL1 H1VY-
FAC$1 R$M\/A*$ "Y MAN1 8 GAIT]$ LEGS "P$
WIDE1 "O >M AKIMBO1 ! O!R WAV+ A RID+
CROP1 8 :OLE ATTITUDE SU7E/IVE (
TRIUMPHANT BRAVADO4 ,2T !M AN ELD]LY1
GRAY-BE>D$ MAN1 WE>+ A %ORT SURPLICE OV] A
LI<T TWE$ SUIT1 _H EVID5TLY J -PLET$ !
W$D+ S]VICE1 = HE POCKET$ 8 PRAY]-BOOK Z
WE APPE>$1 & SLAPP$ ! S9I/] BRIDEGROOM ^U
! BACK 9 JOVIAL 3GRATUL,N4
  8,!Y'RE M>RI$80 ,I GASP$4
  8,-E ON60 CRI$ \R GUIDE1 8-E ON60 ,HE
RU%$ ACR ! GLADE1 ,HOLMES & ,I AT 8 HEELS4
,Z WE APPROA*$1 ! LADY /A7]$ AG/ ! TRUNK (
! TREE = SUPPORT4 ,WILLIAMSON1 ! EX-
CL]GYMAN1 B[$ 6U ) MOCK POLITE;S1 &!
BULLY1 ,WOODLEY1 ADV.ED )A %\T ( BRUTAL &
EXULTANT LAU<T]4
  8,Y C TAKE YR BE>D (F1 ,BOB10 SD HE4 8,I
"K Y1 "R 5\<4 ,WELL1 Y & YR PALS H J -E 9
"T = ME 6BE A# 69TRODUCE Y 6,MRS4
,WOODLEY40  ,\R GUIDE'S ANSW] 0 A S+UL> "O4      #BG
,HE SNAT*$ (F ! D>K BE>D : _H 4GUIS$ HM &
?REW X ON ! GR.D1 4CLOS+ A L;G1 SALL[1
CL1N-%AV5 FACE 2L X4 ,!N HE RAIS$ 8
REVOLV] & COV]$ ! "Y RU6IAN1 :O 0 ADVANC+
^U HM ) 8 DANG]\S RID+ CROP SW++ 9 8 H&4
  8,YES10 SD \R ALLY1 8,I AM ,BOB
,C>RU!RS1 & ,I'LL SEE ? WOMAN "R$1 IF ,I H
6SW+ = X4 ,I TOLD Y :AT ,I'D D IF Y MOLE/$
H]1 &1 0! ,"L6 ,I'LL 2 Z GD Z MY ^W40
  8,Y'RE TOO LATE4 ,%E'S MY WIFE40
  8,NO1 %E'S YR WID[40
  ,8 REVOLV] CRACK$1 & ,I SAW ! BLOOD
SPURT F ! FRONT ( ,WOODLEY'S WAI/COAT4 ,HE
SPUN R.D )A SCR1M & FELL ^U 8 BACK1 8
HIDE\S R$ FACE TURN+ SU45LY 6A DR1D;L
MOTTL$ PALLOR4 ,! OLD MAN1 / CLAD 9 8
SURPLICE1 BUR/ 96S* A /R+ ( F\L OA?S Z ,I
H N"E HE>D1 & PULL$ \ A REVOLV] ( 8 [N1 B1
2F HE CD RAISE X1 HE 0 LOOK+ D[N ! B>REL (
,HOLMES'S W1PON4
  8,5\< ( ?10 SD MY FR1 COLDLY4 8,DROP T
PI/OL6 ,WATSON1 PICK X UP6 ,HOLD X 6HIS
H1D4 ,?ANK Y4 ,Y1 ,C>RU!RS1 GIVE ME T
REVOLV]4 ,WE'LL H NO M VIOL;E4 ,-E1 H& XOV]60                                  #BH
  8,:O >E Y1 !N80
  8,MY "N IS ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES40
  8,GD ,"L60
  8,Y H HE>D ( ME1 ,I SEE4 ,I W REPRES5T !
(FICIAL POLICE UNTIL _! >RIVAL4 ,"H1 Y60
HE %\T$ 6A F"R5$ GROOM1 :O _H APPE>$ AT !
$GE (! GLADE4 8,-E "H4 ,TAKE ? NOTE Z H>D
Z Y C RIDE 6,F>NHAM40 ,HE SCRIB#D A FEW
^WS ^U A L1F F 8 NOTEBOOK4 8,GIVE X 6!
SUP]9T5D5T AT ! POLICE-/,N4 ,UNTIL HE -ES1
,I M/ DETA9 Y ALL "U MY P]SONAL CU/ODY40
  ,! /R;G1 MA/];L P]SONAL;Y ( ,HOLMES
DOM9AT$ ! TRAGIC SC5E1 & ALL 7 EQU,Y
PUPPETS 9 8 H&S4 ,WILLIAMSON & ,C>RU!RS
F.D !MVS C>RY+ ! W.D$ ,WOODLEY 96! H\SE1 &
,I GAVE MY >M 6! F"R5$ GIRL4 ,! 9JUR$ MAN
0 LAID ON 8 B$1 & AT ,HOLMES'S REQUE/ ,I
EXAM9$ HM4 ,I C>RI$ MY REPORT 6": HE SAT 9
! OLD TAPE/RY-HUNG D9+-ROOM ) 8 TWO
PRISON]S 2F HM4
  8,HE W LIVE10 SD ,I4
  8,:AT60 CRI$ ,C>RU!RS1 SPR++ \ ( 8 *AIR4
8,I'LL G UP/AIRS & F9I% HM F/4 ,D Y TELL
ME T T ANGEL1 IS 6BE TI$ 6,RO>+ ,JACK,WOODLEY = LIFE80                      #BI
  8,Y NE$ N 3C]N YRF AB T10 SD ,HOLMES4
8,"! >E TWO V GD R1SONS :Y %E %D1 "U NO
CIRCUM/.ES1 2 8 WIFE4 ,9 ! F/ PLACE1 WE >E
V SAFE 9 "Q+ ,MR4 ,WILLIAMSON'S "R
6SOLEMNIZE A M>RIAGE40
  8,I H BE5 ORDA9$10 CRI$ ! OLD RASCAL4
  8,& AL UNFROCK$40
  8,ONCE A CL]GYMAN1 ALW A CL]GYMAN40
  8,I ?9K N4 ,H[ AB ! LIC5SE80
  8,WE _H A LIC5SE =! M>RIAGE4 ,I H X "H 9
MY POCKET40
  8,!N Y GOT X 0TRICK4 ,B1 9 ANY CASE A
=C$ M>RIAGE IS NO M>RIAGE1 B X IS A V
S]I\S FELONY1 Z Y W 4COV] 2F Y H F9I%$4
,Y'LL H "T 6?9K ! PO9T \ DUR+ ! NEXT T5
YE>S OR S1 UN.S ,I AM MISTAK54 ,Z 6Y1
,C>RU!RS1 Y WD H D"O BETT] 6KEEP YR PI/OL
9 YR POCKET40
  8,I 2G9 6?9K S1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 B :5 ,I
?"\ ( ALL ! PRECAU;N ,I _H TAK5 6%IELD ?
GIRL- = ,I LOV$ H]1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 & X IS !
ONLY "T T "E ,I KNEW :AT LOVE WAS- X
FAIRLY DROVE ME MAD 6?9K T %E 0 9 ! P[] (!
GRTE/ BRUTE & BULLY 9 ,S\? ,AFRICA- A MAN^: "N IS A HOLY T]ROR F ,KIMB]LEY      #CJ
6,JOHANNESBURG4 ,:Y1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 Y'LL
H>DLY 2LIEVE X1 B "E S9CE T GIRL HAS BE5 9
MY EMPLOY;T ,I N"E ONCE LET H] G PA/ ?
H\SE1 ": ,I KNEW RASCALS 7 LURK+1 )\T
FOLL[+ H] ON MY BICYCLE1 6SEE T %E CAME
6NO H>M4 ,I KEPT MY 4T.E F H]1 & ,I WORE A
BE>D1 S T %E %D N RECOGNIZE ME1 = %E IS A
GD & HI<-_S$ GIRL1 & %E WDN'T H /AY$ 9 MY
EMPLOY;T L;G IF %E _H ?"\ T ,I 0 FOLL[+ H]
AB ! C.TRY ROADS40
  8,:Y DIDN'T Y TELL H] ( H] DANG]80
  8,2C !N1 AG1 %E WD H LEFT ME1 & ,I CDN'T
BE> 6FACE T4 ,EV5 IF %E CDN'T LOVE ME1 X 0
A GRT D1L 6ME J 6SEE H] DA9TY =M AB !
H\SE1 & 6HE> ! S.D ( H] VOICE40
  8,WELL10 SD ,I1 8Y CALL T LOVE1 ,MR4
,C>RU!RS1 B ,I %D CALL X SELFI%;S40
  8,MAYBE ! TWO ?+S G TGR4 ,ANYH[1 ,I
CDN'T LET H] G4 ,2SS1 ) ? CR[D AB1 X 0
WELL T %E %D H "S"O NE> 6LOOK AF H]4 ,!N1
:5 ! CA# CAME1 ,I KNEW !Y 7 B.D 6MAKE A
MOVE40
  8,:AT CA#80
  ,C>RU!RS TOOK A TELEGRAM F 8 POCKET8,T'S X10 SD HE4                       #CA
  ,X 0 %ORT & 3CISE3

       ,,! ,,OLD ,,MAN ,,IS ,,D1D4

  8,HUM60 SD ,HOLMES4 8,I ?9K ,I SEE H[
?+S "W$1 & ,I C "U/& H[ ? MESSAGE WD1 Z Y
SAY1 BR+ !M 6A H1D4 ,B :ILE Y WAIT1 Y MI<T
TELL ME :AT Y C4
  ,! OLD REPROBATE )! SURPLICE BUR/ 96A
VOLLEY ( BAD LANGUAGE4
  8,0H1V560 SD HE1 8IF Y SQU1L ON U1 ,BOB
,C>RU!RS1 ,I'LL S]VE Y Z Y S]V$ ,JACK
,WOODLEY4 ,Y C BL1T AB ! GIRL 6YR HE>T'S
3T5T1 = T'S YR [N A6AIR1 B IF Y R.D ON YR
PALS 6? PLA9-CLO!S COPP]1 X W 2 ! WOR/
"D'S "W T "E Y DID40
  8,YR R"E;E NE$ N 2 EXCIT$10 SD ,HOLMES1
LI<T+ A CIG>ETTE4 8,! CASE IS CLE> 5 AG/
Y1 & ALL ,I ASK IS A FEW DETAILS = MY
PRIVATE CURIOS;Y4 ,H["E1 IF "!'S ANY
DI6ICULTY 9 YR TELL+ ME1 ,I'LL D ! TALK+1
& !N Y W SEE H[ F> Y H A *.E ( HOLD+ BACK
YR SECRETS4 ,9 ! F/ PLACE1 ?REE ( Y CAME F
,S\? ,AFRICA ON ? GAME- Y ,WILLIAMSON1 Y,C>RU!RS1 & ,WOODLEY40                 #CB
  8,LIE NUMB] "O10 SD ! OLD MAN2 8,I N"E
SAW EI ( !M UNTIL TWO MON?S AGO1 & ,I H
N"E BE5 9 ,AFRICA 9 MY LIFE1 S Y C PUT T 9
YR PIPE & SMOKE X1 ,MR4 ,BUSYBODY
,HOLMES60
  8,:AT HE SAYS IS TRUE10 SD ,C>RU!RS4
  8,WELL1 WELL1 TWO ( Y CAME OV]4 ,8 R"E;E
IS \R [N HOMEMADE >TICLE4 ,Y _H "KN ,RALPH
,SMI? 9 ,S\? ,AFRICA4 ,Y _H R1SON 62LIEVE
HE WD N LIVE L;G4 ,Y F.D \ T 8 NIECE WD
9H]IT 8 =TUNE4 ,H['S T- EH80
  ,C>RU!RS NO4$ & ,WILLIAMSON SWORE4
  8,%E 0 NEXT ( K91 NO D\BT1 & Y 7 AW>E T
! OLD FELL[ WD MAKE NO W40
  8,CDN'T R1D OR WRITE10 SD ,C>RU!RS4
  8,S Y CAME OV]1 ! TWO ( Y1 & HUNT$ UP !
GIRL4 ,! IDEA 0 T "O ( Y 0 6M>RY H]1 &!
O!R H A %>E (! PL"U4 ,= "S R1SON1 ,WOODLEY
0 *OS5 Z ! HUSB&4 ,:Y 0 T80
  8,WE PLAY$ C>DS = H] ON ! VOYAGE4 ,HE
WON40
  8,I SEE4 ,Y GOT ! "Y LADY 96YR S]VICE1 &
"! ,WOODLEY 0 6D ! C\RT+4 ,%E RECOGNIZ$ !
DRUNK5 BRUTE T HE WAS1 & WD H NO?+ 6D )HM4 ,M1N:ILE1 YR >RANGE;T 0 R UPSET    #CC
0! FACT T Y _H YRF FALL5 9 LOVE )! LADY4
,Y CD NO L;G] BE> ! IDEA ( ? RU6IAN [N+
H]80
  8,NO1 0,GEORGE1 ,I CDN'T60
  8,"! 0 A QU>REL 2T Y4 ,HE LEFT Y 9 A
RAGE1 & 2GAN 6MAKE 8 [N PLANS 9DEP5D5TLY (
Y40
  8,X /RIKES ME1 ,WILLIAMSON1 "! ISN'T V
M* T WE C TELL ? G5TLEMAN10 CRI$ ,C>RU!RS1
)A BITT] LAU<4 8,YES1 WE QU>REL$1 & HE
KNOCK$ ME D[N4 ,I AM LEVEL ) HM ON T1
ANYH[4 ,!N ,I LO/ SI<T ( HM4 ,T 0 :5 HE
PICK$ UP ) ? \TCA/ PADRE "H4 ,I F.D T !Y
_H SET UP H\SEKEEP+ TGR AT ? PLACE ON !
L9E T %E _H 6PASS =! /,N4 ,I KEPT MY EYE
ON H] AF T1 = ,I KNEW "! 0 "S DEVILRY 9 !
W9D4 ,I SAW !M F "T 6"T1 = ,I 0 ANXI\S 6"K
:AT !Y 7 AF4 ,TWO "DS AGO ,WOODLEY CAME UP
6MY H\SE ) ? CA#1 : %[$ T ,RALPH ,SMI? 0
D1D4 ,HE ASK$ ME IF ,I WD /& 0! B>GA94 ,I
SD ,I WD N4 ,HE ASK$ ME IF ,I WD M>RY !
GIRL MYF & GIVE HM A %>E4 ,I SD ,I WD
WILL+LY D S1 B T %E WD N H ME4 ,HE SD1
,8,LET U GET H] M>RI$ F/ & AF A WEEK ORTWO %E MAY SEE ?+S A BIT DI6]5T40'     #CD
,I SD ,I WD H NO?+ 6D ) VIOL;E4 ,S HE W5T
(F CURS+1 L ! F\L-M\!D BLACKGU>D T HE WAS1
& SWE>+ T HE WD H H] YET4 ,%E 0 L1V+ ME ?
WEEK-5D1 & ,I _H GOT A TRAP 6TAKE H] 6!
/,N1 B ,I 0 S UNEASY 9 MY M9D T ,I FOLL[$
H] ON MY BICYCLE4 ,%E _H GOT A />T1 H["E1
& 2F ,I CD CAT* H]1 ! MIS*IEF 0 D"O4 ,! F/
?+ ,I KNEW AB X 0 :5 ,I SAW Y TWO G5TLEM5
DRIV+ BACK 9 H] DOG-C>T0
  ,HOLMES ROSE & TOSS$ ! 5D ( 8 CIG>ETTE
96! GRATE4 8,I H BE5 V OBTUSE1 ,WATSON10
SD HE4 8,:5 9 YR REPORT Y SD T Y _H SE5 !
CYCLI/ Z Y ?"\ >RANGE 8 NECKTIE 9 !
%RU2]Y1 T AL"O %D H TOLD ME ALL4 ,H["E1 WE
MAY 3GRATULATE \RVS ^U A CURI\S &1 9 "S
RESPECTS1 A UNIQUE CASE4 ,I P]CV ?REE (!
C.TY 3/ABUL>Y 9 ! DRIVE1 & ,I AM GLAD 6SEE
T ! LL O/L] IS A# 6KEEP PACE ) !M1 S X IS
LIKELY T NEI HE NOR ! 9T]E/+ BRIDEGROOM W
2 P]MAN5TLY DAMAG$ 0_! MORN+'S ADV5TURES4
,I ?9K1 ,WATSON1 T 9 YR M$ICAL CAPAC;Y1 Y
MI<T WAIT ^U ,MISS ,SMI? & TELL H] T IF %E
IS SU6ICI5TLY RECOV]$1 WE % 2 HAPPY
6ESCORT H] 6H] "M'S HOME4 ,IF %E IS N Q3VALESC5T Y W F9D T A H9T T WE 7 AB    #CE
6TELEGRAPH 6A "Y ELECTRICIAN 9 ! ,MIDL&S
WD PROBABLY -PLETE ! CURE4 ,Z 6Y1 ,MR4
,C>RU!RS1 ,I ?9K T Y H D"O :AT Y CD 6MAKE
AM5DS = YR %>E 9 AN EVIL PLOT4 ,"! IS MY
C>D1 SIR1 & IF MY EVID;E C 2 ( HELP 9 YR
TRIAL1 X % 2 AT YR 4POSAL40
  ,9 ! :IRL ( \R 9CESSANT ACTIV;Y1 X HAS
(T5 BE5 DI6ICULT = ME1 Z ! R1D] HAS
PROBABLY OBS]V$1 6R.D (F MY N>RATIVES1 &
6GIVE ^? F9AL DETAILS : ! CURI\S MI<T
EXPECT4 ,EA* CASE HAS BE5 ! PRELUDE
6ANO!R1 &! CRISIS ONCE OV]1 ! ACTORS H
PASS$ = "E \ ( \R BUSY LIVES4 ,I F9D1
H["E1 A %ORT NOTE AT ! 5D ( MY MANUSCRIPT
D1L+ ) ? CASE1 9 : ,I H PUT X ^U RECORD T
,MISS ,VIOLET ,SMI? DID 9DE$ 9H]IT A L>GE
=TUNE1 & T %E IS N[ ! WIFE ( ,CYRIL
,MORTON1 ! S5IOR "PN] ( ,MORTON & ,K5N$Y1
! FAM\S ,WE/M9/] ELECTRICIANS4 ,WILLIAMSON
& ,WOODLEY 7 BO? TRI$ = ABDUC;N & ASSAULT1
! =M] GETT+ SEV5 YE>S ! LATT] T54 ,(! FATE
( ,C>RU!RS1 ,I H NO RECORD1 B ,I AM SURE T
8 ASSAULT 0 N VIEW$ V GRAVELY 0! C\RT1
S9CE ,WOODLEY _H ! REPUT,N ( 2+ A MO/DANG]\S RU6IAN1 & ,I ?9K T A FEW1      #CF
MON?S 7 SU6ICI5T 6SATISFY ! DEM&S (
JU/ICE4