#AHIC                 #A
            ,,%]LOCK ,,HOLMES
          ,,! ,,REIGATE ,,PUZZLE
        0,SIR ,>?UR ,CONAN ,DOYLE

  ,X 0 "S "T 2F ! H1L? ( MY FR ,MR4
,%]LOCK ,HOLMES RECOV]$ F ! /RA9 CAUS$
0HIS IMM5SE EX];NS 9 ! SPR+ ( #'HG4 ,!
:OLE "Q (! ,NE!RL&-,SUMATRA ,-PANY &(!
COLOSSAL S*EMES ( ,B>ON ,MAUP]TUIS >E TOO
REC5T 9 ! M9DS (! PUBLIC1 & >E TOO
9TIMATELY 3C]N$ ) POLITICS & F9.E 6BE
FITT+ SUBJECTS = ? S]IES ( SKET*ES4 ,!Y
L$1 H["E1 9 AN 9DIRECT FA%ION 6A S+UL> &
-PLEX PRO#M : GAVE MY FR AN OPPORTUN;Y (
DEMON/RAT+ ! VALUE (A FRE% W1PON AM;G ! _M
) : HE WAG$ 8 LIFEL;G BATTLE AG/ CRIME4
  ,ON REF]R+ 6MY NOTES ,I SEE T X 0 ^U !
F\RTE5? ( ,APRIL T ,I RCVD A TELEGRAM F
,LYONS : 9=M$ ME T ,HOLMES 0 LY+ ILL 9 !
,HOTEL ,DUL;G4 ,)9 TW5TY-F\R H\RS ,I 0 9 8
SICK-ROOM & 0 RELIEV$ 6F9D T "! 0 NO?+
=MIDA# 9 8 SYMPTOMS4 ,EV5 8 IRON 3/ITU;N1
H["E1 _H BROK5 D[N "U ! /RA9 ( AN 9VE/IG,N
: _H EXT5D$ OV] TWO MON?S1 DUR+ : P]IOD HE_H N"E "W$ LESS ?AN FIFTE5 H\RS A "D    #B
& _H M ?AN ONCE1 Z HE ASSUR$ ME1 KEPT 6HIS
TASK = FIVE "DS AT A /RET*4 ,EV5 !
TRIUMPHANT ISSUE ( 8 LAB\RS CD N SAVE HM F
REAC;N AF S T]RI# AN EX];N1 & AT A "T :5
,EUROPE 0 R++ ) 8 "N & :5 8 ROOM 0 LIT],Y
ANKLE-DEEP ) 3GRATULATORY TELEGRAMS ,I F.D
HM A PREY 6! BLACKE/ DEPRES.N4 ,EV5 ! K T
HE _H SU3E$$ ": ! POLICE ( ?REE C.TRIES _H
FAIL$1 & T HE _H \TMANEUV]$ AT E PO9T !
MO/ A3OMPLI%$ SW9DL] 9 ,EUROPE1 0
9SU6ICI5T 6R\SE HM F 8 N]V\S PRO/R,N4
  ,?REE "DS LAT] WE 7 BACK 9 ,BAK] ,/REET
TGR2 B X 0 EVID5T T MY FR WD 2 M* ! BETT]
=A *ANGE1 &! ?"\ (A WEEK ( SPR+"T 9 !
C.TRY 0 FULL ( ATTRAC;NS 6ME AL4 ,MY OLD
FR1 ,COLONEL ,HAYT]1 :O _H -E "U MY
PROFES.NAL C>E 9 ,AF<ANI/AN1 _H N[ TAK5 A
H\SE NE> ,REIGATE 9 ,SURREY & _H FREQU5TLY
ASK$ ME 6-E D[N 6HM ^U A VISIT4 ,ON ! LA/
O3A.N HE _H REM>K$ T IF MY FR WD ONLY -E )
ME HE WD 2 GLAD 6EXT5D 8 HOSPITAL;Y 6HM
AL4 ,A LL DIPLOMACY 0 NE$$1 B :5 ,HOLMES
"U/OOD T ! E/ABLI%;T 0 A BA*ELOR "O1 & T
HE WD 2 ALL[$ ! FULLE/ FREEDOM1 HE FELL 9) MY PLANS &A WEEK AF \R RETURN F       #C
,LYONS WE 7 "U ! COLONEL'S RO(4 ,HAYT] 0 A
F9E OLD SOLDI] :O _H SE5 M* (! _W1 & HE
SOON F.D1 Z ,I _H EXPECT$1 T ,HOLMES & HE
_H M* 9 -MON4
  ,ON ! EV5+ ( \R >RIVAL WE 7 SITT+ 9 !
COLONEL'S GUN-ROOM AF D9N]1 ,HOLMES /RET*$
^U ! S(A1 :ILE ,HAYT] & ,I LOOK$ OV] 8 LL
>MORY ( ,EA/]N W1PONS4
  8,0! WAY10 SD HE SU45LY1 8,I ?9K ,I'LL
TAKE "O ( ^! PI/OLS UP/AIRS ) ME 9 CASE WE
H AN AL>M40
  8,AN AL>M60 SD ,I4
  8,YES1 WE'VE _H A SC>E 9 ? "P LATELY4
,OLD ,ACTON1 :O IS "O ( \R C.TY MAGNATES1
_H 8 H\SE BROK5 96LA/ ,MON"D4 ,NO GRT
DAMAGE D"O1 B ! FELL[S >E / AT L>GE40
  8,NO CLUE80 ASK$ ,HOLMES1 COCK+ 8 EYE AT
! COLONEL4
  8,N"O Z YET4 ,B ! A6AIR IS A PETTY "O1
"O ( \R LL C.TRY CRIMES1 : M/ SEEM TOO
SMALL = YR ATT5;N1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 AF ? GRT
9T]N,NAL A6AIR40
  ,HOLMES WAV$ AWAY ! -PLI;T1 ?\< 8 SMILE
%[$ T X _H PL1S$ HM4  8,WAS "! ANY F1TURE ( 9T]E/80         #D
  8,I FANCY N4 ,! ?IEVES RANSACK$ ! LIBR>Y
& GOT V LL = _! PA9S4 ,! :OLE PLACE 0
TURN$ UPSIDE D[N1 DRAW]S BUR/ OP51 &
PRESSES RANSACK$1 )! RESULT T AN ODD
VOLUME ( ,POPE'S ,HOM]1 TWO PLAT$
C&LE/ICKS1 AN IVORY LR-WEI<T1 A SMALL OAK
B>OMET]1 &A BALL ( TW9E >E ALL T H
VANI%$40
  8,:AT AN EXTRAORD9>Y ASSORT;T60 ,I
EXCLAIM$4
  8,OH1 ! FELL[S EVID5TLY GRA2$ HOLD (
"EY?+ !Y CD GET40
  ,HOLMES GRUNT$ F ! S(A4
  8,! C.TY POLICE "\ 6MAKE "S?+ ( T0 SD
HE2 8:Y1 X IS SURELY OBVI\S T-0
  ,B ;I HELD UP A W>N+ F+]4
  8,Y >E "H =A RE/1 MY DE> FELL[4 ,=
H1V5'S SAKE DON'T GET />T$ ON A NEW PRO#M
:5 YR N]VES >E ALL 9 %R$S40
  ,HOLMES %RU7$ 8 %\LD]S )A GL.E ( -IC
RESIGN,N T[>DS ! COLONEL1 &! TALK DRIFT$
AWAY 96LESS DANG]\S *ANNELS4
  ,X 0 DE/9$1 H["E1 T ALL MY PROFES.NAL
CAU;N %D 2 WA/$1 = NEXT MORN+ ! PRO#MOBTRUD$ XF ^U U 9 S* A WAY T X 0        #E
IMPOSSI# 6IGNORE X1 & \R C.TRY VISIT TOOK
A TURN : NEI ( U CD H ANTICIPAT$4 ,WE 7 AT
BR1KFA/ :5 ! COLONEL'S BUTL] RU%$ 9 ) ALL
8 PROPRIETY %AK5 \ ( HM4
  8,H Y HE>D ! NEWS1 SIR80 HE GASP$4 8,AT
! ,CUNN+HAM'S1 SIR60
  8,BURGL>Y60 CRI$ ! COLONEL1 ) 8 C(FEE-
CUP 9 MID-AIR4
  8,MURD]60
  ,! COLONEL :I/L$4 8,0,JOVE60 SD HE4
8,:O'S KILL$1 !N8 ,! ,J4 ,P4 OR 8 SON80
  8,NEI1 SIR4 ,X 0 ,WILLIAM ! COA*MAN4
,%OT "? ! HE>T1 SIR1 & N"E SPOKE AG40
  8,:O %OT HM1 !N80
  8,! BURGL>1 SIR4 ,HE 0 (F L A %OT & GOT
CL1N AWAY4 ,HE'D J BROKE 9 AT ! PANTRY
W9D[ :5 ,WILLIAM CAME ON HM & MET 8 5D 9
SAV+ 8 MA/]'S PROP]TY40
  8,:AT "T80
  8,X 0 LA/ NI<T1 SIR1 "S": AB TWELVE40
  8,AH1 !N1 WE'LL /EP OV] AFWS10 SD !
COLONEL1 COOLLY SETTL+ D[N 6HIS BR1KFA/
AG4 8,X'S A BA4I% BUSI;S10 HE A4$ :5 !
BUTL] _H G"O2 8HE'S \R L1D+ MAN AB "H1 ISOLD ,CUNN+HAM1 &A V DEC5T FELL[ TOO4    #F
,HE'LL 2 CUT UP OV] ?1 =! MAN HAS BE5 9 8
S]VICE = YE>S & 0 A GD S]VANT4 ,X'S
EVID5TLY ! SAME VILLA9S :O BROKE
96,ACTON'S40
  8,& /OLE T V S+UL> COLLEC;N10 SD ,HOLMES
?"\;LLY4
  8,PRECISELY40
  8,HUM6 ,X MAY PROVE ! SIMPLE/ MATT] 9 !
_W1 B ALL ! SAME AT F/ GL.E ? IS J A LL
CURI\S1 IS X N8 ,A GANG ( BURGL> ACT+ 9 !
C.TRY MI<T 2 EXPECT$ 6V>Y ! SC5E ( _!
OP],NS1 & N 6CRACK TWO CRIBS 9 ! SAME
4TRICT )9 A FEW "DS4 ,:5 Y SPOKE LA/ NI<T
( TAK+ PRECAU;NS ,I REMEMB] T X PASS$ "?
MY M9D T ? 0 PROBABLY ! LA/ P>I% 9 ,5GL&
6: ! ?IEF OR ?IEVES WD 2 LIKELY 6TURN _!
ATT5;N-: %[S T ,I H / M* 6LE>N40
  8,I FANCY X'S "S LOCAL PRACTI;N]10 SD !
COLONEL4 8,IN T CASE1 ( C\RSE1 ,ACTON'S &
,CUNN+HAM'S >E J ! PLACES HE WD G =1 S9CE
!Y >E F> ! L>GE/ AB "H40
  8,& RI*E/80
  8,WELL1 !Y "\ 6BE1 B !Y'VE _H A LAWSUIT
= "S YE>S : HAS SUCK$ ! BLOOD \ ( BO? (!M1 ,I FANCY4 ,OLD ,ACTON HAS "S        #G
CLAIM ON HALF ,CUNN+HAM'S E/ATE1 &! LAWY]S
H BE5 AT X ) BO? H&S40
  8,IF X'S A LOCAL VILLA9 "! %D N 2 M*
DI6ICULTY 9 RUNN+ HM D[N10 SD ,HOLMES )A
YAWN4 8,ALL "R1 ,WATSON1 ,I DON'T 9T5D
6M$DLE40
  8,9SPECTOR ,=RE/]1 SIR10 SD ! BUTL]1
?R[+ OP5 ! DOOR4
  ,! (FICIAL1 A SM>T1 KE5-FAC$ "Y FELL[1
/EPP$ 96! ROOM4 8,GD MORN+1 ,COLONEL10 SD
HE4 8,I HOPE ,I DON'T 9TRUDE1 B WE HE> T
,MR4 ,HOLMES ( ,BAK] ,/REET IS "H40
  ,! COLONEL WAV$ 8 H& T[>DS MY FR1 &!
9SPECTOR B[$4
  8,WE ?"\ T P]H Y WD C>E 6/EP ACR1 ,MR4
,HOLMES40
  8,! FATES >E AG/ Y1 ,WATSON10 SD HE1
LAU<+4 8,WE 7 *ATT+ AB ! MATT] :5 Y CAME
IN1 ,9SPECTOR4 ,P]H Y C LET U H A FEW
DETAILS40 ,Z HE L1N$ BACK 9 8 *AIR 9 !
FAMILI> ATTITUDE ,I KNEW T ! CASE 0
HOPE.S4
  8,WE _H NO CLUE 9 ! ,ACTON A6AIR4 ,B "H
WE H PL5TY 6G ON1 & "!'S NO D\BT X IS !SAME "PY 9 EA* CASE4 ,! MAN 0 SE540     #H
  8,AH60
  8,YES1 SIR4 ,B HE 0 (F L A DE] AF ! %OT
T KILL$ POOR ,WILLIAM ,KIRWAN 0 FIR$4 ,MR4
,CUNN+HAM SAW HM F ! B$ROOM W9D[1 & ,MR4
,ALEC ,CUNN+HAM SAW HM F ! BACK PASSAGE4
,X 0 QU>T] 6TWELVE :5 ! AL>M BROKE \4 ,MR4
,CUNN+HAM _H J GOT 96B$1 & ,MR4 ,ALEC 0
SMOK+ A PIPE 9 8 DRESS+-G[N4 ,!Y BO? HE>D
,WILLIAM1 ! COA*MAN1 CALL+ = HELP1 & ,MR4
,ALEC RAN D[N 6SEE :AT 0 ! MATT]4 ,! BACK
DOOR 0 OP51 & Z HE CAME 6! FOOT (! /AIRS
HE SAW TWO M5 WRE/L+ TGR \TSIDE4 ,"O ( !M
FIR$ A %OT1 ! O!R DROPP$1 &! MURD]] RU%$
ACR ! G>D5 & OV] ! H$GE4 ,MR4 ,CUNN+HAM1
LOOK+ \ ( 8 B$ROOM1 SAW ! FELL[ Z HE GA9$
! ROAD1 B LO/ SI<T ( HM AT ONCE4 ,MR4
,ALEC /OPP$ 6SEE IF HE CD HELP ! DY+ MAN1
& S ! VILLA9 GOT CL1N AWAY4 ,2Y ! FACT T
HE 0 A MI4LE-SIZ$ MAN & DRESS$ 9 "S D>K
/UFF1 WE H NO P]SONAL CLUE1 B WE >E MAK+
5]GETIC 9QUIRIES1 & IF HE IS A /RANG] WE %
SOON F9D HM \40 8,:AT 0 ? ,WILLIAM DO+ "!8
,DID HE SAY ANY?+ 2F HE DI$80
  8,N A ^W4 ,HE LIVES AT ! LODGE ) 8 "M1 &Z HE 0 A V FAI?;L FELL[ WE IMAG9E T     #I
HE WALK$ UP 6! H\SE )! 9T5;N ( SEE+ T ALL
0 "R "!4 ,( C\RSE ? ,ACTON BUSI;S HAS PUT
"EY"O ON _! GU>D4 ,! RO2] M/ H J BUR/ OP5
! DOOR-! LOCK HAS BE5 =C$-:5 ,WILLIAM CAME
^U HM40
  8,DID ,WILLIAM SAY ANY?+ 6HIS "M 2F GO+
\80
  8,%E IS V OLD & D1F1 & WE C GET NO 9=M,N
F H]4 ,! %OCK HAS MADE H] HALF-WITT$1 B ,I
"U/& T %E 0 N"E V B"R4 ,"! IS "O V
IMPORTANT CIRCUM/.E1 H["E4 ,LOOK AT ?60
  ,HE TOOK A SMALL PIECE ( TORN PAP] F A
NOTEBOOK & SPR1D X \ ^U 8 KNEE4
  8,? 0 F.D 2T ! F+] & ?UMB (! D1D MAN4 ,X
APPE>S 6BE A FRAG;T TORN F A L>G] %EET4 ,Y
W OBS]VE T ! H\R M5;N$ ^U X IS ! V "T AT :
! POOR FELL[ MET 8 FATE4 ,Y SEE T 8 MURD]]
MI<T H TORN ! RE/ (! %EET F HM OR HE MI<T
H TAK5 ? FRAG;T F ! MURD]]4 ,X R1DS ALM Z
?\< X 7 AN APPO9T;T40
  ,HOLMES TOOK UP ! SCRAP ( PAP]1 A
FACSIMILE ( : IS "H REPRODUC$4
  7,SEE ILLU/R,N47
  8,PRESUM+ T X IS AN APPO9T;T10 3T9U$ !9SPECTOR1 8X IS ( C\RSE A 3CEIVA#      #AJ
!ORY T ? ,WILLIAM ,KIRWAN1 ?\< HE _H !
REPUT,N ( 2+ AN H"O/ MAN1 MAY H BE5 9
L1GUE )! ?IEF4 ,HE MAY H MET HM "!1 MAY
EV5 H HELP$ HM 6BR1K 9 ! DOOR1 & !N !Y MAY
H FALL5 \ 2T !MVS40
  8,? WRIT+ IS ( EXTRAORD9>Y 9T]E/10 SD
,HOLMES1 :O _H BE5 EXAM9+ X ) 9T5SE
3C5TR,N4 8,^! >E M* DEEP] WAT]S ?AN ,I _H
?"\40 ,HE SANK 8 H1D ^U 8 H&S1 :ILE !
9SPECTOR SMIL$ AT ! E6ECT : 8 CASE _H _H
^U ! FAM\S ,LONDON SPECIALI/4
  8,YR LA/ REM>K10 SD ,HOLMES PRES5TLY1 8Z
6! POSSIBIL;Y ( "! 2+ AN "U/&+ 2T ! BURGL>
&! S]VANT1 & ? 2+ A NOTE ( APPO9T;T F "O
6! O!R1 IS AN 9G5I\S & N 5TIRELY IMPOSSI#
SUPPOSI;N4 ,B ? WRIT+ OP5S UP-0 ,HE SANK 8
H1D 96HIS H&S AG & REMA9$ = "S M9UTES 9 !
DEEPE/ ?"\4 ,:5 HE RAIS$ 8 FACE AG ,I 0
SURPRIS$ 6SEE T 8 *EEK 0 T+$ ) COL\R1 & 8
EYES Z B"R Z 2F 8 ILL;S4 ,HE SPRANG 6HIS
FEET ) ALL 8 OLD 5]GY4
  8,I'LL TELL Y :AT10 SD HE1 8,I %D L 6H A
QUIET LL GL.E 96! DETAILS ( ? CASE4 ,"! IS
"S?+ 9 X : FASC9ATES ME EXTREMELY4 ,IF Y WP]MIT ME1 ,COLONEL1 ,I W L1VE MY FR    #AA
,WATSON & Y1 & ,I W /EP R.D )! 9SPECTOR
6TE/ ! TRU? ( "O OR TWO LL FANCIES ( M9E4
,I W 2 ) Y AG 9 HALF AN H\R40
  ,AN H\R &A HALF _H ELAPS$ 2F ! 9SPECTOR
RETURN$ AL"O4
  8,MR4 ,HOLMES IS WALK+ UP & D[N 9 !
FIELD \TSIDE10 SD HE4 8,HE WANTS U ALL F\R
6G UP 6! H\SE TGR40
  8,6,MR4 ,CUNN+HAM'S80
  8,YES1 SIR40
  8,:AT =80
  ,! 9SPECTOR %RU7$ 8 %\LD]S4 8,I DON'T Q
"K1 SIR4 ,2T \RVS1 ,I ?9K ,MR4 ,HOLMES HAS
N Q GOT OV] 8 ILL;S YET4 ,HE'S BE5 2HAV+ V
QUE]LY1 & HE IS V M* EXCIT$40
  8,I DON'T ?9K Y NE$ AL>M YRF10 SD ,I4
8,I H USU,Y F.D T "! 0 ME?OD 9 8 MAD;S40
  8,"S FOLK MI<T SAY "! 0 MAD;S 9 8
ME?OD10 MUTT]$ ! 9SPECTOR4 8,B HE'S ALL ON
FIRE 6/>T1 ,COLONEL1 S WE _H BE/ G \ IF Y
>E R1DY40
  ,WE F.D ,HOLMES PAC+ UP & D[N 9 ! FIELD1
8 *9 SUNK ^U 8 BR1/1 & 8 H&S ?RU/ 96HIS
TR\S]S POCKETS4  8,! MATT] GR[S 9 9T]E/10 SD HE4      #AB
8,WATSON1 YR C.TRY TRIP HAS BE5 A 4T9CT
SU3ESS4 ,I H _H A *>M+ MORN+40
  8,Y H BE5 UP 6! SC5E (! CRIME1 ,I "U/&10
SD ! COLONEL4
  8,YES1 ! 9SPECTOR & ,I H MADE Q A LL
RECONNAISS.E TGR40
  8,ANY SU3ESS80'
  8,WELL1 WE H SE5 "S V 9T]E/+ ?+S4 ,I'LL
TELL Y :AT WE DID Z WE WALK4 ,F/ ( ALL1 WE
SAW ! BODY ( ? UN=TUNATE MAN4 ,HE C]TA9LY
DI$ F A REVOLV] W.D Z REPORT$40
  8,_H Y D\BT$ X !N80
  8,OH1 X IS Z WELL 6TE/ "EY?+4 ,\R
9SPEC;N 0 N WA/$4 ,WE !N _H AN 9T]VIEW )
,MR4 ,CUNN+HAM & 8 SON1 :O 7 A# 6PO9T \ !
EXACT SPOT ": ! MURD]] _H BROK5 "? ! G>D5-
H$GE 9 8 FLI<T4 ,T 0 ( GRT 9T]E/40
  8,NATUR,Y40
  8,!N WE _H A LOOK AT ? POOR FELL['S "M4
,WE CD GET NO 9=M,N F H]1 H["E1 Z %E IS V
OLD & FEE#40
  8,& :AT IS ! RESULT ( YR 9VE/IG,NS80
  8,! 3VIC;N T ! CRIME IS A V PECULI> "O4
,P]H \R VISIT N[ MAY D "S?+ 6MAKE X LESSOBSCURE4 ,I ?9K T WE >E BO? AGRE$1     #AC
,9SPECTOR1 T ! FRAG;T ( PAP] 9 ! D1D MAN'S
H&1 BE>+1 Z X DOES1 ! V H\R ( 8 D1? WRITT5
^U X IS ( EXTREME IMPORT.E40
  8,X %D GIVE A CLUE1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES40
  8,X DOES GIVE A CLUE4 ,:O"E WROTE T NOTE
0 ! MAN :O BR"\ ,WILLIAM ,KIRWAN \ ( 8 B$
AT T H\R4 ,B ": IS ! RE/ ( T %EET ( PAP]80
  8,I EXAM9$ ! GR.D C>E;LLY 9 ! HOPE (
F9D+ X10 SD ! 9SPECTOR4
  8,X 0 TORN \ (! D1D MAN'S H&4 ,:Y 0 "S"O
S ANXI\S 6GET POSSES.N ( X8 ,2C X
9CRIM9AT$ HM4 ,& :AT WD HE D ) X8 ,?RU/ X
96HIS POCKET1 MO/ LIKELY1 N"E NOTIC+ T A
CORN] ( X _H BE5 LEFT 9 ! GRIP (! CORPSE4
,IF WE CD GET ! RE/ ( T %EET X IS OBVI\S T
WE %D H G"O A L;G WAY T[>DS SOLV+ !
MY/]Y40
  8,YES1 B H[ C WE GET AT ! CRIM9AL'S
POCKET 2F WE CAT* ! CRIM9AL80
  8,WELL1 WELL1 X 0 WOR? ?9K+ OV]4 ,!N "!
IS ANO!R OBVI\S PO9T4 ,! NOTE 0 S5T
6,WILLIAM4 ,! MAN :O WROTE X CD N H TAK5
X2 O!RWISE1 ( C\RSE1 HE MI<T H DELIV]$ 8
[N MESSAGE 0^W ( M\?4 ,:O BR"\ ! NOTE1 !N8,OR DID X -E "? ! PO/80                #AD
  8,I H MADE 9QUIRIES10 SD ! 9SPECTOR4
8,WILLIAM RCVD A LR 0! AFN PO/ YE/]"D4 ,!
5VELOPE 0 DE/ROY$ 0HM40
  8,EXCELL5T60 CRI$ ,HOLMES1 CLAPP+ !
9SPECTOR ON ! BACK4 8,Y'VE SE5 ! PO/MAN4
,X IS A PL1SURE 6"W ) Y4 ,WELL1 "H IS !
LODGE1 & IF Y W -E UP1 ,COLONEL1 ,I W %[ Y
! SC5E (! CRIME40
  ,WE PASS$ ! PRETTY COTTAGE ": ! MURD]$
MAN _H LIV$ & WALK$ UP AN OAK-L9$ AV5UE 6!
F9E OLD ,QUE5 ,ANNE H\SE1 : BE>S ! DATE (
,MALPLAQUET ^U ! L9TEL (! DOOR4 ,HOLMES &!
9SPECTOR L$ U R.D X UNTIL WE CAME 6! SIDE
GATE1 : IS SEP>AT$ 0A /RET* ( G>D5 F !
H$GE : L9ES ! ROAD4 ,A 3/A# 0 /&+ AT !
KIT*5 DOOR4
  8,?R[ ! DOOR OP51 (FIC]10 SD ,HOLMES4
8,N[1 X 0 ON ^? /AIRS T ,"Y ,MR4 ,CUNN+HAM
/OOD & SAW ! TWO M5 /RU7L+ J ": WE >E4
,OLD ,MR4 ,CUNN+HAM 0 AT T W9D[-! SECOND
ON ! LEFT-& HE SAW ! FELL[ GET AWAY J 6!
LEFT ( T BU%4 ,S DID ! SON4 ,!Y >E BO?
SURE ( X ON A3.T (! BU%4 ,!N ,MR4 ,ALEC
RAN \ & KNELT 2S ! W.D$ MAN4 ,! GR.D IS VH>D1 Y SEE1 & "! >E NO M>KS 6GUIDE     #AE
U40 ,Z HE SPOKE TWO M5 CAME D[N ! G>D5
PA?1 F R.D ! ANGLE (! H\SE4 ,! "O 0 AN
ELD]LY MAN1 )A /R;G1 DEEP-L9$1 H1VY-EY$
FACE2 ! O!R A DA%+ "Y FELL[1 ^: B"R1 SMIL+
EXPRES.N & %[Y DRESS 7 9 /RANGE 3TRA/ )!
BUSI;S : _H BR"\ U "!4
  8,/ AT X1 !N80 SD HE 6,HOLMES4 8,I ?"\ Y
,LONDON]S 7 N"E AT FAULT4 ,Y DON'T SEEM
6BE S V QK1 AF ALL40
  8,AH1 Y M/ GIVE U A LL "T10 SD ,HOLMES
GD-HUM\R$LY4
  8,Y'LL WANT X10 SD "Y ,ALEC ,CUNN+HAM4
8,:Y1 ,I DON'T SEE T WE H ANY CLUE AT
ALL40
  8,"!'S ONLY "O10 ANSW]$ ! 9SPECTOR4 8,WE
?"\ T IF WE CD ONLY F9D-,GD H1V5S1 ,MR4
,HOLMES6 :AT IS ! MATT]80
  ,MY POOR FR'S FACE _H SU45LY ASSUM$ !
MO/ DR1D;L EXPRES.N4 ,8 EYES ROLL$ UPW>D1
8 F1TURES WRI!D 9 AGONY1 &)A SUPPRESS$
GROAN HE DROPP$ ON 8 FACE ^U ! GR.D4
,HORRIFI$ AT ! SU45;S & SEV];Y (! ATTACK1
WE C>RI$ HM 96! KIT*51 ": HE LAY BACK 9 A
L>GE *AIR & BR1!D H1VILY = "S M9UTES4,F9,Y1 )A %AMEFAC$ APOLOGY = 8         #AF
W1K;S1 HE ROSE ONCE M4
  8,WATSON WD TELL Y T ,I H ONLY J RECOV]$
F A SEV]E ILL;S10 HE EXPLA9$4 8,I AM LIA#
6^! SU45 N]V\S ATTACKS40
  8,% ,I S5D Y HOME 9 MY TRAP80 ASK$ OLD
,CUNN+HAM4
  8,WELL1 S9CE ,I AM "H1 "! IS "O PO9T ON
: ,I %D L 6FEEL SURE4 ,WE C V EASILY V]IFY
X40
  8,:AT IS X80
  8,WELL1 X SEEMS 6ME T X IS J POSSI# T !
>RIVAL ( ? POOR FELL[ ,WILLIAM 0 N 2F1 B
AF1 ! 5TR.E (! BURGL> 96! H\SE4 ,Y APPE>
6TAKE X = GRANT$ T AL? ! DOOR 0 =C$ ! RO2]
N"E GOT IN40
  8,I FANCY T IS Q OBVI\S10 SD ,MR4
,CUNN+HAM GRAVELY4 8,:Y1 MY SON ,ALEC _H N
YET G"O 6B$1 & HE WD C]TA9LY H HE>D ANY"O
MOV+ AB40
  8,": 0 HE SITT+80
  8,I 0 SMOK+ 9 MY DRESS+-ROOM40
  8,: W9D[ IS T80
  8,! LA/ ON ! LEFT1 NEXT MY "F'S40
  8,BO? ( YR LAMPS 7 LIT1 ( C\RSE80  8,UND\BT$LY40                        #AG
  8,"! >E "S V S+UL> PO9TS "H10 SD
,HOLMES1 SMIL+4 8,IS X N EXTRAORD9>Y T A
BURGL>-&A BURGL> :O _H "S PREVI\S EXP]I;E-
%D DELIB]ATELY BR1K 96A H\SE AT A "T :5 HE
CD SEE F ! LI<TS T TWO (! FAMILY 7 /
AFOOT80
  8,HE M/ H BE5 A COOL H&40
  8,WELL1 ( C\RSE1 IF ! CASE 7 N AN ODD "O
WE %D N H BE5 DRIV5 6ASK Y = AN EXPLAN,N10
SD "Y ,MR4 ,ALEC4 8,B Z 6YR ID1S T ! MAN
_H RO2$ ! H\SE 2F ,WILLIAM TACKL$ HM1 ,I
?9K X A MO/ ABSURD NO;N4 ,WDN'T WE H F.D !
PLACE 4>RANG$ & MISS$ ! ?+S : HE _H TAK580
  8,X DEP5DS ON :AT ! ?+S W]E10 SD
,HOLMES4 8,Y M/ REMEMB] T WE >E D1L+ )A
BURGL> :O IS A V PECULI> FELL[1 & :O
APPE>S 6"W ON L9ES ( 8 [N4 ,LOOK1 =
EXAMPLE1 AT ! QUE] LOT ( ?+S : HE TOOK F
,ACTON'S-:AT 0 X8-A BALL ( /R+1 A LR-
WEI<T1 & ,I DON'T "K :AT O!R O4S & 5DS40
  8,WELL1 WE >E Q 9 YR H&S1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES10
SD OLD ,CUNN+HAM4 8,ANY?+ : Y OR !
9SPECTOR MAY SU7E/ W MO/ C]TA9LY 2 D"O40
  8,IN ! F/ PLACE10 SD ,HOLMES1 8,I %D L Y6(F] A REW>D-COM+ F YRF1 =! (FICIALS   #AH
MAY TAKE A LL "T 2F !Y WD AGREE ^U ! SUM1
& ^! ?+S _C 2 D"O TOO PROMPTLY4 ,I H JOTT$
D[N ! =M "H1 IF Y WD N M9D SIGN+ X4 ,FIFTY
P.DS 0 Q 5\<1 ,I ?"\40
  8,I WD WILL+LY GIVE FIVE HUNDR$10 SD !
,J4 ,P41 TAK+ ! SLIP ( PAP] &! P5CIL :
,HOLMES H&$ 6HM4 8,? IS N Q CORRECT H["E10
HE A4$1 GLANC+ OV] ! DOCU;T4
  8,I WROTE X R HURRI$LY40
  8,Y SEE Y 2G91 ,8,":AS1 AT AB A QU>T]
6"O ON ,TUES"D MORN+ AN ATTEMPT 0 MADE10'
& S ON4 ,X 0 AT A QU>T] 6TWELVE1 Z A MATT]
( FACT40
  ,I 0 PA9$ AT ! MISTAKE1 = ,I KNEW H[
KE5LY ,HOLMES WD FEEL ANY SLIP (! K9D4 ,X
0 8 SPECIALTY 6BE A3URATE Z 6FACT1 B 8
REC5T ILL;S _H %AK5 HM1 & ? "O LL 9CID5T 0
5 6%[ ME T HE 0 / F> F 2+ HMF4 ,HE 0
OBVI\SLY EMB>RASS$ = AN 9/ANT1 :ILE !
9SPECTOR RAIS$ 8 EYEBR[S1 & ,ALEC
,CUNN+HAM BUR/ 96A LAU<4 ,! OLD G5TLEMAN
CORRECT$ ! MISTAKE1 H["E1 & H&$ ! PAP]
BACK 6,HOLMES4
  8,GET X PR9T$ Z SOON Z POSSI#10 HE SD28,I ?9K YR IDEA IS AN EXCELL5T "O40    #AI
  ,HOLMES PUT ! SLIP ( PAP] C>E;LLY AWAY
96HIS POCKETBOOK4
  8,& N[10 SD HE1 8X RE,Y WD 2 A GD ?+ T
WE %D ALL G OV] ! H\SE TGR & MAKE C]TA9 T
? R ]RATIC BURGL> DID N1 AF ALL1 C>RY
ANY?+ AWAY ) HM40
  ,2F 5T]+1 ,HOLMES MADE AN EXAM9,N (!
DOOR : _H BE5 =C$4 ,X 0 EVID5T T A *ISEL
OR /R;G KNIFE _H BE5 ?RU/ IN1 &! LOCK =C$
BACK ) X4 ,WE CD SEE ! M>KS 9 ! WOOD ": X
_H BE5 PU%$ IN4
  8,Y DON'T USE B>S1 !N80 HE ASK$4
  8,WE H N"E F.D X NEC40
  8,Y DON'T KEEP A DOG80
  8,YES1 B HE IS *A9$ ON ! O!R SIDE (!
H\SE40
  8,:5 D ! S]VANTS G 6B$80
  8,AB T540
  8,I "U/& T ,WILLIAM 0 USU,Y 9 B$ AL AT T
H\R80
  8,YES40
  8,X IS S+UL> T ON ? "PICUL> NI<T HE %D H
BE5 UP4 ,N[1 ,I %D 2 V GLAD IF Y WD H !
K9D;S 6%[ U OV] ! H\SE1 ,MR4 ,CUNN+HAM40  ,A /"O-FLA7$ PASSAGE1 )! KIT*5S      #BJ
BRAN*+ AWAY F X1 L$ 0A WOOD5 /AIRCASE
DIRECTLY 6! F/ FLOOR (! H\SE4 ,X CAME \ ^U
! L&+ OPPOSITE 6A SECOND M ORNA;TAL /AIR :
CAME UP F ! FRONT HALL4 ,\ ( ? L&+ OP5$ !
DRAW+-ROOM & S"EAL B$ROOMS1 9CLUD+ ^? (
,MR4 ,CUNN+HAM & 8 SON4 ,HOLMES WALK$
SL[LY1 TAK+ KE5 NOTE (! >*ITECTURE (!
H\SE4 ,I CD TELL F 8 EXPRES.N T HE 0 ON A
HOT SC5T & YET ,I CD N 9 ! L1/ IMAG9E 9
:AT DIREC;N 8 9F];ES 7 L1D+ HM4
  8,MY GD SIR10 SD ,MR4 ,CUNN+HAM1 ) "S
IMPATI;E1 8? IS SURELY V UNNEC4 ,T IS MY
ROOM AT ! 5D (! /AIRS1 & MY SON'S IS ! "O
2Y X4 ,I L1VE X 6YR JUDG;T :E!R X 0 POSSI#
=! ?IEF 6H -E UP "H )\T 4TURB+ U40
  8,Y M/ TRY R.D & GET ON A FRE% SC5T1 ,I
FANCY10 SD ! SON )A R MALICI\S SMILE4
  8,/1 ,I M/ ASK Y 6HUM\R ME A LL FUR!R4
,I %D L1 = EXAMPLE1 6SEE H[ F> ! W9D[S (!
B$ROOMS -M& ! FRONT4 ,?1 ,I "U/&1 IS YR
SON'S ROOM0-HE PU%$ OP5 ! DOOR-8& T1 ,I
PRESUME IS ! DRESS+-ROOM 9 : HE SAT SMOK+
:5 ! AL>M 0 GIV54 ,": DOES ! W9D[ ( T LOOK
\ TO80 ,HE /EPP$ ACR ! B$ROOM1 PU%$ OP5 !DOOR1 & GL.ED R.D ! O!R *AMB]4         #BA
  8,I HOPE T Y >E SATISFI$ N[80 SD ,MR4
,CUNN+HAM T>TLY4
  8,?ANK Y1 ,I ?9K ,I H SE5 ALL T ,I
WI%$40
  8,!N IF X IS RE,Y NEC WE C G 96MY ROOM40
  8,IF X IS N TOO M* TR\#40
  ,! ,J4 ,P4 %RU7$ 8 %\LD]S & L$ ! WAY
96HIS [N *AMB]1 : 0 A PLA9LY FURNI%$ &
-MONPLACE ROOM4 ,Z WE MOV$ ACR X 9 !
DIREC;N (! W9D[1 ,HOLMES FELL BACK UNTIL
HE & ,I 7 ! LA/ (! GR\P4 ,NE> ! FOOT (! B$
/OOD A DI% ( ORANGES &A C>AFE ( WAT]4 ,Z
WE PASS$ X ,HOLMES1 6MY UNUTT]A# A/ONI%;T1
L1N$ OV] 9 FRONT ( ME & DELIB]ATELY KNOCK$
! :OLE ?+ OV]4 ,! GLASS SMA%$ 96A ?\S&
PIECES &! FRUIT ROLL$ AB 96E CORN] (!
ROOM4
  8,Y'VE D"O X N[1 ,WATSON10 SD HE COOLLY4
8,A PRETTY MESS Y'VE MADE (! C>PET40
  ,I /OOP$ 9 "S 3FU.N & 2GAN 6PICK UP !
FRUIT1 "U/&+ = "S R1SON MY -PANION DESIR$
ME 6TAKE ! BLAME ^U MYF4 ,! O!RS DID !
SAME & SET ! TA# ON XS LEGS AG4
  8,HULLO60 CRI$ ! 9SPECTOR1 8":'S HE GOTTO80                                   #BB
  ,HOLMES _H 4APPE>$4
  8,WAIT "H AN 9/ANT10 SD "Y ,ALEC
,CUNN+HAM4 8,! FELL[ IS (F 8 H1D1 9 MY
OP9ION4 ,-E ) ME1 "F1 & SEE ": HE HAS GOT
TO60
  ,!Y RU%$ \ (! ROOM1 L1V+ ! 9SPECTOR1 !
COLONEL1 & ME />+ AT EA* O!R4
  8,8,PON MY ^W1 ,I AM 9CL9$ 6AGREE )
,MA/] ,ALEC10 SD ! (FICIAL4 8,X MAY 2 !
E6ECT ( ? ILL;S1 B X SEEMS 6ME T-0
  ,8 ^WS 7 CUT %ORT 0A SU45 SCR1M (
8,HELP6 ,HELP6 ,MURD]60 ,)A ?RILL ,I
RECOGNIZ$ ! VOICE Z T ( MY FR4 ,I RU%$
MADLY F ! ROOM ON 6! L&+4 ,! CRIES1 : _H
SUNK D[N 96A HO>SE1 9>TICULATE %\T+1 CAME
F ! ROOM : WE _H F/ VISIT$4 ,I DA%$ IN1 &
ON 96! DRESS+-ROOM 2Y4 ,! TWO ,CUNN+HAMS 7
B5D+ OV] ! PRO/RATE FIGURE ( ,%]LOCK
,HOLMES1 ! "Y] CLUT*+ 8 ?ROAT ) BO? H&S1
:ILE ! ELD] SEEM$ 6BE TWI/+ "O ( 8 WRI/S4
,9 AN 9/ANT ! ?REE ( U _H TORN !M AWAY F
HM1 & ,HOLMES /A7]$ 6HIS FEET1 V PALE &
EVID5TLY GRTLY EXHAU/$4
  8,>RE/ ^! M51 ,9SPECTOR10 HE GASP$4  8,ON :AT *>GE80                      #BC
  8,T ( MURD]+ _! COA*MAN1 ,WILLIAM
,KIRWAN40
  ,! 9SPECTOR />$ AB HM 9 2WILD];T4 8,OH1
-E N[1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES10 SD HE AT LA/1 8,I'M
SURE Y DON'T RE,Y M1N TO-0
  8,TUT1 MAN1 LOOK AT _! FACES60 CRI$
,HOLMES CURTLY4
  ,N"E C]TA9LY H ,I SE5 A PLA9] 3FES.N (
GUILT ^U HUMAN C.T5.ES4 ,! OLD] MAN SEEM$
NUMB$ & DAZ$1 )A H1VY1 SULL5 EXPRES.N ^U 8
/R;GLY M>K$ FACE4 ,! SON1 ON ! O!R H&1 _H
DROPP$ ALL T JAUNTY1 DA%+ /YLE : _H "*IZ$
HM1 &! F]OC;Y (A DANG]\S WILD B1/ GL1M$ 9
8 D>K EYES & 4TORT$ 8 H&"S F1TURES4 ,!
9SPECTOR SD NO?+1 B1 /EPP+ 6! DOOR1 HE
BLEW 8 :I/LE4 ,TWO ( 8 3/A#S CAME AT !
CALL4
  8,I H NO ALT]NATIVE1 ,MR4 ,CUNN+HAM10 SD
HE4 8,I TRU/ T ? MAY ALL PROVE 6BE AN
ABSURD MISTAKE1 B Y C SEE T-,AH1 WD Y8
,DROP X60 ,HE /RUCK \ ) 8 H&1 &A REVOLV] :
! "Y] MAN 0 9 ! ACT ( COCK+ CLATT]$ D[N ^U
! FLOOR4
  8,KEEP T10 SD ,HOLMES1 QUIETLY PUTT+ 8FOOT ^U X2 8Y W F9D X USE;L AT !       #BD
TRIAL4 ,B ? IS :AT WE RE,Y WANT$40 ,HE
HELD UP A LL CRUMPL$ PIECE ( PAP]4
  8,! REMA9D] (! %EET60 CRI$ ! 9SPECTOR4
  8,PRECISELY40
  8,& ": 0 X80
  8,": ,I 0 SURE X M/ BE4 ,I'LL MAKE !
:OLE MATT] CLE> 6Y PRES5TLY4 ,I ?9K1
,COLONEL1 T Y & ,WATSON MI<T RETURN N[1 &
,I W 2 ) Y AG 9 AN H\R AT ! FUR!/4 ,!
9SPECTOR & ,I M/ H A ^W )! PRISON]S1 B Y W
C]TA9LY SEE ME BACK AT LUN*EON "T40
  ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES 0 Z GD Z 8 ^W1 = AB "O
O'C HE REJO9$ U 9 ! COLONEL'S SMOK+-ROOM4
,HE 0 A3OMPANI$ 0A LL ELD]LY G5TLEMAN1 :O
0 9TRODUC$ 6ME Z ! ,MR4 ,ACTON ^: H\SE _H
BE5 ! SC5E (! ORIG9AL BURGL>Y4
  8,I WI%$ ,MR4 ,ACTON 6BE PRES5T :ILE ,I
DEMON/RAT$ ? SMALL MATT] 6Y10 SD ,HOLMES1
8= X IS NATURAL T HE %D TAKE A KE5 9T]E/ 9
! DETAILS4 ,I AM AFRAID1 MY DE> ,COLONEL1
T Y M/ REGRET ! H\R T Y TOOK 9 S* A /ORMY
PETREL Z ,I AM40
  8,ON ! 3TR>Y10 ANSW]$ ! COLONEL W>MLY1
8,I 3SID] X ! GRTE/ PRIVILEGE 6H BE5P]MITT$ 6/UDY YR ME?ODS ( "W+4 ,I      #BE
3FESS T !Y Q SURPASS MY EXPECT,NS1 & T ,I
AM UTT]LY UNA# 6A3.T = YR RESULT4 ,I H N
YET SE5 ! VE/IGE (A CLUE40
  8,I AM AFRAID T MY EXPLAN,N MAY 4ILLU.N
Y1 B X HAS ALW BE5 MY HABIT 6HIDE N"O ( MY
ME?ODS1 EI F MY FR ,WATSON OR F ANY"O :O
MI<T TAKE AN 9TELLIG5T 9T]E/ 9 !M4 ,B1 F/1
Z ,I AM R %AK5 0! KNOCK+ AB : ,I _H 9 !
DRESS+-ROOM1 ,I ?9K T ,I % HELP MYF 6A DA%
( YR BR&Y1 ,COLONEL4 ,MY /R5G? HAS BE5 R
TRI$ ( LATE40
  8,I TRU/ Y _H NO M ( ^? N]V\S ATTACKS40
  ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES LAU<$ HE>TILY4 8,WE W -E
6T 9 XS TURN10 SD HE4 8,I W LAY AN A3.T (!
CASE 2F Y 9 XS DUE ORD]1 %[+ Y ! V>I\S
PO9TS : GUID$ ME 9 MY DECI.N4 ,PRAY
9T]RUPT ME IF "! IS ANY 9F];E : IS N
P]FECTLY CLE> 6Y4
  8,X IS (! HI<E/ IMPORT.E 9 ! >T (
DETEC;N 6BE A# 6RECOGNIZE1 \ (A NUMB] (
FACTS1 : >E 9CID5TAL & : VITAL4 ,O!RWISE
YR 5]GY & ATT5;N M/ 2 4SIPAT$ 9/1D ( 2+
3C5TRAT$4 ,N[1 9 ? CASE "! 0 N ! SLI<TE/
D\BT 9 MY M9D F ! F/ T ! KEY (! :OLE MATT]M/ 2 LOOK$ = 9 ! SCRAP ( PAP] 9 !      #BF
D1D MAN'S H&4
  8,2F GO+ 96?1 ,I WD DRAW YR ATT5;N 6!
FACT T1 IF ,ALEC ,CUNN+HAM'S N>RATIVE 0
CORRECT1 & IF ! ASSAILANT1 AF %OOT+
,WILLIAM ,KIRWAN1 _H 9/ANTLY FL$1 !N X
OBVI\SLY CD N 2 HE :O TORE ! PAP] F ! D1D
MAN'S H&4 ,B IF X 0 N HE1 X M/ H BE5 ,ALEC
,CUNN+HAM HMF1 = 0! "T T ! OLD MAN _H
DESC5D$ S"EAL S]VANTS 7 ^U ! SC5E4 ,! PO9T
IS A SIMPLE "O1 B ! 9SPECTOR _H OV]LOOK$ X
2C HE _H />T$ )! SUPPOSI;N T ^! C.TY
MAGNATES _H _H NO?+ 6D )! MATT]4 ,N[1 ,I
MAKE A PO9T ( N"E HAV+ ANY PREJUDICES1 &(
FOLL[+ DOCILELY :]"E FACT MAY L1D ME1 & S1
9 ! V F/ /AGE (! 9VE/IG,N1 ,I F.D MYF
LOOK+ A LL ASK.E AT ! "P : _H BE5 PLAY$
0,MR4 ,ALEC ,CUNN+HAM4
  8,& N[ ,I MADE A V C>E;L EXAM9,N (!
CORN] ( PAP] : ! 9SPECTOR _H SUBMITT$ 6U4
,X 0 AT ONCE CLE> 6ME T X =M$ "P (A V
REM>KA# DOCU;T4 ,"H X IS4 ,D Y N N[ OBS]VE
"S?+ V SU7E/IVE AB X80
  8,X HAS A V IRREGUL> LOOK10 SD !
COLONEL4  8,MY DE> SIR10 CRI$ ,HOLMES1 8"!     #BG
_C 2 ! L1/ D\BT 9 ! _W T X HAS BE5 WRITT5
0TWO P]SONS DO+ ALT]NATE ^WS4 ,:5 ,I DRAW
YR ATT5;N 6! /R;G ;T'S ( ,8AT0' & ,8TO10'
& ASK Y 6-P>E !M )! W1K "OS ( ,8QU>T]0' &
,8TWELVE10' Y W 9/ANTLY RECOGNIZE ! FACT4
,A V BRIEF ANALYSIS ( ^! F\R ^WS WD 5A# Y
6SAY )! UTMO/ 3FID;E T ! ,8LE>N0' &!
,8MAYBE0' >E WRITT5 9 ! /R;G] H&1 &!
,8:AT0' 9 ! W1K]40
  8,0,JOVE1 X'S Z CLE> Z "D60 CRI$ !
COLONEL4 8,:Y ON E>? %D TWO M5 WRITE A LR
9 S* A FA%ION80
  8,OBVI\SLY ! BUSI;S 0 A BAD "O1 & "O (!
M5 :O 4TRU/$ ! O!R 0 DET]M9$ T1 :AT"E 0
D"O1 EA* %D H AN EQUAL H& 9 X4 ,N[1 (! TWO
M51 X IS CLE> T ! "O :O WROTE ! ,8AT0' &
,8TO0' 0 ! R+L1D]40'
  8,H[ D Y GET AT T80
  8,WE MI<T DEDUCE X F ! M]E "* (! "O H& Z
-P>$ )! O!R4 ,B WE H M ASSUR$ R1SONS ?AN T
= SUPPOS+ X4 ,IF Y EXAM9E ? SCRAP ) ATT5;N
Y W -E 6! 3CLU.N T ! MAN )! /R;G] H& WROTE
ALL 8 ^WS F/1 L1V+ BLANKS =! O!R 6FILL UP4
,^! BLANKS 7 N ALW SU6ICI5T@3P & Y C SEE T! SECOND MAN _H A SQUEEZE 6FIT 8       #BH
,8QU>T]0' 9 2T ! ,8AT0' &! ,8TO10' %[+ T !
LATT] 7 ALR WRITT54 ,! MAN :O WROTE ALL 8
^WS F/ IS UND\BT$LY ! MAN :O PLANN$ !
A6AIR40
  8,EXCELL5T60 CRI$ ,MR4 ,ACTON4
  8,B V SUP]FICIAL10 SD ,HOLMES4 8,WE -E
N[1 H["E1 6A PO9T : IS ( IMPORT.E4 ,Y MAY
N 2 AW>E T ! DEDUC;N (A MAN'S AGE F 8
WRIT+ IS "O : HAS BE5 BR"\ 63SID]A#
A3URACY 0EXP]TS4 ,9 NORMAL CASES "O C
PLACE A MAN 9 8 TRUE DECADE ) TOL]A#
3FID;E4 ,I SAY NORMAL CASES1 2C ILL-H1L? &
PHYSICAL W1K;S REPRODUCE ! SIGNS ( OLD
AGE1 EV5 :5 ! 9VALID IS A Y\?4 ,9 ? CASE1
LOOK+ AT ! BOLD1 /R;G H& (! "O1 &! R
BROK5-BACK$ APPE>.E (! O!R1 : / RETA9S XS
LEGIBIL;Y AL? ! ;T'S H 2GUN 6LOSE _!
CROSS+1 WE C SAY T ! "O 0 A "Y MAN &! O!R
0 ADV.ED 9 YE>S )\T 2+ POSITIVELY
DECREPIT40
  8,EXCELL5T60 ,CRI$ ,MR4 ,ACTON AG4
  8,"! IS A FUR!R PO9T1 H["E1 : IS SUBTL]
&( GRT] 9T]E/4 ,"! IS "S?+ 9 -MON 2T ^!
H&S4 ,!Y 2L;G 6M5 :O >E BLOOD-RELATIVES4,X MAY 2 MO/ OBVI\S 6Y 9 ! ,GREEK      #BI
;E'S1 B 6ME "! >E _M SMALL PO9TS : 9DICATE
! SAME ?+4 ,I H NO D\BT AT ALL T A FAMILY
MANN]ISM C 2 TRAC$ 9 ^! TWO SPECIM5S (
WRIT+4 ,I AM ONLY1 ( C\RSE1 GIV+ Y ! L1D+
RESULTS N[ ( MY EXAM9,N (! PAP]4 ,"! 7
TW5TY-?REE O!R DEDUC;NS : WD 2 ( M 9T]E/
6EXP]TS ?AN 6Y4 ,!Y ALL T5D 6DEEP5 !
IMPRES.N ^U MY M9D T ! ,CUNN+HAMS1 "F &
SON1 _H WRITT5 ? LR4
  8,HAV+ GOT S F>1 MY NEXT /EP WAS1 (
C\RSE1 6EXAM9E 96! DETAILS (! CRIME1 &
6SEE H[ F> !Y WD HELP U4 ,I W5T UP 6! H\SE
)! 9SPECTOR & SAW ALL T 0 6BE SE54 ,! W.D
^U ! D1D MAN WAS1 Z ,I 0 A# 6DET]M9E )
ABSOLUTE 3FID;E1 FIR$ F A REVOLV] AT !
4T.E ( "S?+ OV] F\R Y>DS4 ,"! 0 NO P[D]-
BLACK5+ ON ! CLO!S4 ,EVID5TLY1 "!=E1 ,ALEC
,CUNN+HAM _H LI$ :5 HE SD T ! TWO M5 7
/RU7L+ :5 ! %OT 0 FIR$4 ,AG1 BO? "F & SON
AGRE$ Z 6! PLACE ": ! MAN ESCAP$ 96! ROAD4
,AT T PO9T1 H["E1 Z X HAPP5S1 "! IS A
BROADI% DIT*1 MOI/ AT ! BOTTOM4 ,Z "! 7 NO
9DIC,NS ( BOOT-M>KS AB ? DIT*1 ,I 0
ABSOLUTELY SURE N ONLY T ! ,CUNN+HAMS _HAG LI$ B T "! _H N"E BE5 ANY UN"KN     #CJ
MAN ^U ! SC5E AT ALL4
  8,& N[ ,I H 63SID] ! MOTIVE ( ? S+UL>
CRIME4 ,6GET AT ?1 ,I 5D1V\R$ F/ ( ALL
6SOLVE ! R1SON (! ORIG9AL BURGL>Y AT ,MR4
,ACTON'S4 ,I "U/OOD1 F "S?+ : ! COLONEL
TOLD U1 T A LAWSUIT _H BE5 GO+ ON 2T Y1
,MR4 ,ACTON1 &! ,CUNN+HAMS4 ,( C\RSE1 X
9/ANTLY O3URR$ 6ME T !Y _H BROK5 96YR
LIBR>Y )! 9T5;N ( GETT+ AT "S DOCU;T :
MI<T 2 ( IMPORT.E 9 ! CASE40
  8,PRECISELY S10 SD ,MR4 ,ACTON4 8,"! C 2
NO POSSI# D\BT Z 6_! 9T5;NS4 ,I H ! CLE>E/
CLAIM ^U HALF ( _! PRES5T E/ATE1 & IF !Y
CD H F.D A S+LE PAP]-:1 =TUNATELY1 0 9 !
/R;G-BOX ( MY SOLICITORS-!Y WD UND\BT$LY H
CRIPPL$ \R CASE40
  8,"! Y >E10 SD ,HOLMES1 SMIL+4 8,X 0 A
DANG]\S1 RECK.S ATTEMPT 9 : ,I SEEM 6TRACE
! 9FLU;E ( "Y ,ALEC4 ,HAV+ F.D NO?+1 !Y
TRI$ 6DIV]T SUSPICION 0MAK+ X APPE> 6BE AN
ORD9>Y BURGL>Y1 6: 5D !Y C>RI$ (F :AT"E !Y
CD LAY _! H&S ^U4 ,T IS ALL CLE> 5\<1 B "!
0 M* T 0 / OBSCURE4 ,:AT ,I WANT$1 ABV
ALL1 0 6GET ! MISS+ "P ( T NOTE4 ,I 0C]TA9 T ,ALEC _H TORN X \ (! D1D       #CA
MAN'S H&1 & ALM C]TA9 T HE M/ H ?RU/ X 96!
POCKET ( 8 DRESS+-G[N4 ,": ELSE CD HE H
PUT X8 ,! ONLY "Q 0 :E!R X 0 / "!4 ,X 0
WOR? AN EF=T 6F9D \1 &= T OBJECT WE ALL
W5T UP 6! H\SE4
  8,! ,CUNN+HAMS JO9$ U1 Z Y D\BT.S
REMEMB]1 \TSIDE ! KIT*5 DOOR4 ,X WAS1 (
C\RSE1 (! V F/ IMPORT.E T !Y %D N 2 REM9D$
(! EXI/;E ( ? PAP]1 O!RWISE !Y WD NATUR,Y
DE/ROY X )\T DELAY4 ,! 9SPECTOR 0 AB 6TELL
!M ! IMPORT.E : WE ATTA*$ 6X :51 0!
LUCKIE/ *.E 9 ! _W1 ,I TUM#D D[N 9 A SORT
( FIT & S *ANG$ ! 3V]S,N40
  8,GD H1V5S60 CRI$ ! COLONEL1 LAU<+1 8D Y
M1N 6SAY ALL \R SYMPA?Y 0 WA/$ & YR FIT AN
IMPO/URE80
  8,SP1K+ PROFES.N,Y1 X 0 ADMIRABLY D"O10
CRI$ ,I1 LOOK+ 9 AMAZE;T AT ? MAN :O 0 ="E
3F.D+ ME ) "S NEW PHASE ( 8 A/UTE;S4
  8,X IS AN >T : IS (T5 USE;L10 SD HE4
8,:5 ,I RECOV]$ ,I MANAG$1 0A DEVICE : _H
P]H "S LL M]IT ( 9G5U;Y1 6GET OLD
,CUNN+HAM 6WRITE ! ^W ,8TWELVE10' S T ,I
MI<T -P>E X )! ,8TWELVE0' ^U ! PAP]4 "1  8,OH1 :AT AN ASS ,I H BE560 ,I       #CB
EXCLAIM$4
  8,I CD SEE T Y 7 -MIS]AT+ ME OV] MY
W1K;S10 SD ,HOLMES1 LAU<+4 8,I 0 SORRY
6CAUSE Y ! SYMPA!TIC PA9 : ,I "K T Y FELT4
,WE !N W5T UP/AIRS TGR1 &1 HAV+ 5T]$ !
ROOM & SE5 ! DRESS+-G[N HANG+ UP 2H !
DOOR1 ,I 3TRIV$1 0UPSETT+ A TA#1 65GAGE _!
ATT5;N =! MO;T & SLIPP$ BACK 6EXAM9E !
POCKETS4 ,I _H H>DLY GOT ! PAP]1 H["E-:
WAS1 Z ,I _H EXPECT$1 9 "O ( !M-:5 ! TWO
,CUNN+HAMS 7 ON ME1 & WD1 ,I V]ILY 2LIEVE1
H MURD]$ ME !N & "! B = YR PROMPT & FRLY
AID4 ,Z X IS1 ,I FEEL T "Y MAN'S GRIP ON
MY ?ROAT N[1 &! "F HAS TWI/$ MY WRI/ R.D 9
! EF=T 6GET ! PAP] \ ( MY H&4 ,!Y SAW T ,I
M/ "K ALL AB X1 Y SEE1 &! SU45 *ANGE F
ABSOLUTE SECUR;Y 6-PLETE DESPAIR MADE !M
P]FECTLY DESP]ATE4
  8,I _H A LL TALK ) OLD ,CUNN+HAM AFWS Z
6! MOTIVE (! CRIME4 ,HE 0 TRACTA# 5\<1 ?\<
8 SON 0 A P]FECT DEMON1 R1DY 6BL[ \ 8 [N
OR ANYBODY ELSE'S BRA9S IF HE CD H GOT
6HIS REVOLV]4 ,:5 ,CUNN+HAM SAW T ! CASE
AG/ HM 0 S /R;G HE LO/ ALL HE>T & MADE ACL1N BR1/ ( "EY?+4 ,X SEEMS T          #CC
,WILLIAM _H SECRETLY FOLL[$ 8 TWO MA/]S ON
! NI<T :5 !Y MADE _! RAID ^U ,MR4 ,ACTON'S
&1 HAV+ ?US GOT !M 96HIS P[]1 PROCE$$1 "U
?R1TS ( EXPOSURE1 6LEVY BLACKMAIL ^U !M4
,MR4 ,ALEC1 H["E1 0 A DANG]\S MAN 6PLAY
GAMES ( T SORT )4 ,X 0 A /ROKE ( POSITIVE
G5IUS ON 8 "P 6SEE 9 ! BURGL>Y SC>E : 0
3VULS+ ! C.TRYSIDE AN OPPORTUN;Y (
PLAUSIBLY GETT+ RID (! MAN :OM HE FE>$4
,WILLIAM 0 DECOY$ UP & %OT1 & _H !Y ONLY
GOT ! :OLE (! NOTE & PD A LL M ATT5;N
6DETAIL 9 _! A3ESSORIES1 X IS V POSSI# T
SUSPICION MI<T N"E H BE5 >\S$4
  8,&! NOTE80 ,I ASK$4
  ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES PLAC$ ! SUBJO9$ PAP] 2F
U4
  7,SEE ILLU/R,N47
  8,X IS V M* ! SORT ( ?+ T ,I EXPECT$10
SD HE4 8,( C\RSE1 WE D N YET "K :AT !
REL,NS MAY H BE5 2T ,ALEC ,CUNN+HAM1
,WILLIAM ,KIRWAN1 & ,ANNIE ,MORRISON4 ,!
RESULT %[S T ! TRAP 0 SKIL;LLY BAIT$4 ,I
AM SURE T Y _C FAIL 6BE DELI<T$ )! TRACES
( H]$;Y %[N 9 ! ;P'S & 9 ! TAILS (! ;G'S4,! ABS;E (! ;I-DOTS 9 ! OLD MAN'S      #CD
WRIT+ IS AL MO/ "*I/IC4 ,WATSON1 ,I ?9K \R
QUIET RE/ 9 ! C.TRY HAS BE5 A 4T9CT
SU3ESS1 & ,I % C]TA9LY RETURN M* 9VIGORAT$
6,BAK] ,/REET TO-MORR[40