#AHIB                 #A
            ,,%]LOCK ,,HOLMES
     ,,! ,,ADV5TURE ,,( ,,! ,,SPECKL$
                   ,,B&
        0,SIR ,>?UR ,CONAN ,DOYLE

  ,ON GLANC+ OV] MY NOTES (! SEV5TY ODD
CASES 9 : ,I H DUR+ ! LA/ EI<T YE>S /UDI$
! ME?ODS ( MY FR ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES1 ,I F9D
_M TRAGIC1 "S -IC1 A L>GE NUMB] M]ELY
/RANGE1 B N"O -MONPLACE2 =1 "W+ Z HE DID R
=! LOVE ( 8 >T ?AN =! ACQUIRE;T ( W1L?1 HE
REFUS$ 6ASSOCIATE HMF ) ANY 9VE/IG,N : DID
N T5D T[>DS ! UNUSUAL1 & EV5 ! FANTA/IC4
,( ALL ^! V>I$ CASES1 H["E1 ,I _C RECALL
ANY : PRES5T$ M S+UL> F1TURES ?AN T : 0
ASSOCIAT$ )! WELL-"KN ,SURREY FAMILY (!
,ROYLOTTS ( ,/OKE ,MORAN4 ,! EV5TS 9 "Q
O3URR$ 9 ! E>LY "DS ( MY ASSOCI,N )
,HOLMES1 :5 WE 7 %>+ ROOMS Z BA*ELORS 9
,BAK] ,/REET4 ,X IS POSSI# T ,I MI<T H
PLAC$ !M ^U RECORD 2F1 B A PROMISE (
SECRECY 0 MADE AT ! "T1 F : ,I H ONLY BE5
FRE$ DUR+ ! LA/ MON? 0! UN"TLY D1? (! LADY
6:OM ! PL$GE 0 GIV54 ,X IS P]H Z WELL T !FACTS %D N[ -E 6LI<T1 = ,I H R1SONS     #B
6"K T "! >E WIDESPR1D RUM\RS Z 6! D1? (
,DR4 ,GRIMESBY ,ROYLOTT : T5D 6MAKE !
MATT] EV5 M T]RI# ?AN ! TRU?4
  ,X 0 E>LY 9 ,APRIL 9 ! YE> #'HC T ,I
WOKE "O MORN+ 6F9D ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES /&+1
FULLY DRESS$1 0! SIDE ( MY B$4 ,HE 0 A
LATE RIS]1 Z A RULE1 & Z ! CLOCK ON !
MANTELPIECE %[$ ME T X 0 ONLY A QU>T]-PA/
SEV51 ,I BL9K$ UP AT HM 9 "S SURPRISE1 &
P]H J A LL RES5T;T1 = ,I 0 MYF REGUL> 9 MY
HABITS4
  8,V SORRY 6KNOCK Y UP1 ,WATSON10 SD HE1
8B X'S ! -MON LOT ? MORN+4 ,MRS4 ,HUDSON
HAS BE5 KNOCK$ UP1 %E RETORT$ ^U ME1 & ,I
ON Y40
  8,:AT IS X1 !N-A FIRE80
  8,NO2 A CLI5T4 ,X SEEMS T A "Y LADY HAS
>RIV$ 9 A 3SID]A# /ATE ( EXCITE;T1 :O
9SI/S ^U SEE+ ME4 ,%E IS WAIT+ N[ 9 !
SITT+-ROOM4 ,N[1 :5 "Y LADIES W&] AB !
METROPOLIS AT ? H\R (! MORN+1 & KNOCK
SLEEPY P UP \ ( _! B$S1 ,I PRESUME T X IS
"S?+ V PRESS+ : !Y H 6-MUNICATE4 ,%D X
PROVE 6BE AN 9T]E/+ CASE1 Y WD1 ,I AMSURE1 WI% 6FOLL[ X F ! \TSET4 ,I ?"\1   #C
AT ANY RATE1 T ,I %D CALL Y & GIVE Y !
*.E40
  8,MY DE> FELL[1 ,I WD N MISS X = ANY?+40
  ,I _H NO KE5] PL1SURE ?AN 9 FOLL[+
,HOLMES 9 8 PROFES.NAL 9VE/IG,NS1 & 9
ADMIR+ ! RAPID DEDUC;NS1 Z SWIFT Z
9TUI;NS1 & YET ALW F.D$ ON A LOGICAL
BASIS1 ) : HE UNRAVELL$ ! PRO#MS : 7
SUBMITT$ 6HM4 ,I RAPIDLY ?REW ON MY CLO!S
& 0 R1DY 9 A FEW M9UTES 6A3OMPANY MY FR
D[N 6! SITT+-ROOM4 ,A LADY DRESS$ 9 BLACK
& H1VILY VEIL$1 :O _H BE5 SITT+ 9 ! W9D[1
ROSE Z WE 5T]$4
  8,GD-MORN+1 MADAM10 SD ,HOLMES *E]ILY4
8,MY "N IS ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES4 ,? IS MY
9TIMATE FR & ASSOCIATE1 ,DR4 ,WATSON1 2F
:OM Y C SP1K Z FREELY Z 2F MYF4 ,HA6 ,I AM
GLAD 6SEE T ,MRS4 ,HUDSON HAS _H ! GD S5SE
6LI<T ! FIRE4 ,PRAY DRAW UP 6X1 & ,I %
ORD] Y A CUP ( HOT C(FEE1 = ,I OBS]VE T Y
>E %IV]+40
  8,X IS N COLD : MAKES ME %IV]10 SD !
WOMAN 9 A L[ VOICE1 *ANG+ H] S1T Z
REQUE/$4  8,:AT1 !N80                           #D
  8,X IS FE>1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES4 ,X IS T]ROR40
,%E RAIS$ H] VEIL Z %E SPOKE1 & WE CD SEE
T %E 0 9DE$ 9 A PITIA# /ATE ( AGIT,N1 H]
FACE ALL DRAWN & GRAY1 ) RE/.S1 F"R5$
EYES1 L ^? ( "S HUNT$ ANIMAL4 ,H] F1TURES
& FIGURE 7 ^? (A WOMAN ( ?IRTY1 B H] HAIR
0 %OT ) PREMATURE GRAY1 & H] EXPRES.N 0
WE>Y & HA7>D4 ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES RAN H] OV] )
"O ( 8 QK1 ALL-COMPREH5SIVE GL.ES4
  8,Y M/ N FE>10 SD HE SOO?+LY1 B5D+ =W>D
& PATT+ H] =E>M4 8,WE % SOON SET MATT]S
"R1 ,I H NO D\BT4 ,Y H -E 9 0TRA9 ? MORN+1
,I SEE40
  8,Y "K ME1 !N80
  8,NO1 B ,I OBS]VE ! SECOND HALF (A
RETURN TICKET 9 ! PALM ( YR LEFT GLOVE4 ,Y
M/ H />T$ E>LY1 & YET Y _H A GD DRIVE 9 A
DOG-C>T1 AL;G H1VY ROADS1 2F Y R1*$ !
/,N40
  ,! LADY GAVE A VIOL5T />T & />$ 9
2WILD];T AT MY -PANION4
  8,"! IS NO MY/]Y1 MY DE> MADAM10 SD HE1
SMIL+4 8,! LEFT >M ( YR JACKET IS SPATT]$
) MUD 9 NO LESS ?AN SEV5 PLACES4 ,! M>KS>E P]FECTLY FRE%4 ,"! IS NO VEHICLE     #E
SAVE A DOG-C>T : ?R[S UP MUD 9 T WAY1 & !N
ONLY :5 Y SIT ON ! LEFT-H& SIDE (! DRIV]40
  8,:AT"E YR R1SONS MAY BE1 Y >E P]FECTLY
CORRECT10 SD %E4 8,I />T$ F HOME 2F SIX
R1*$ ,L1!RH1D AT TW5TY PA/1 & CAME 9 0! F/
TRA9 6,WAT]LOO4 ,SIR1 ,I C /& ? /RA9 NO
L;G]2 ,I % G MAD IF X 3T9UES4 ,I H NO "O
6TURN TO-N"O1 SAVE ONLY "O1 :O C>ES = ME1
& HE1 POOR FELL[1 C 2 ( LL AID4 ,I H HE>D
( Y1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES2 ,I H HE>D ( Y F ,MRS4
,F>9TO%1 :OM Y HELP$ 9 ! H\R ( H] SORE
NE$4 ,X 0 F H] T ,I _H YR A4RESS4 ,OH1
SIR1 D Y N ?9K T Y CD HELP ME1 TOO1 & AT
L1/ ?R[ A LL LI<T "? ! D5SE D>K;S :
SURR.DS ME8 ,AT PRES5T X IS \ ( MY P[]
6REW>D Y = YR S]VICES1 B 9 A MON? OR SIX
WEEKS ,I % 2 M>RI$1 )! 3TROL ( MY [N
9COME1 & !N AT L1/ Y % N F9D ME
UNGRATE;L40
  ,HOLMES TURN$ 6HIS DESK &1 UNLOCK+ X1
DREW \ A SMALL CASE-BOOK1 : HE 3SULT$4
  8,F>9TO%10 SD HE4 8,AH YES1 ,I RECALL !
CASE1 X 0 3C]N$ ) AN OPAL TI>A4 ,I ?9K X 0
2F YR "T1 ,WATSON4 ,I C ONLY SAY1 MADAM1 T,I % 2 HAPPY 6DEVOTE ! SAME C>E 6YR     #F
CASE Z ,I DID 6T ( YR FR4 ,Z 6REW>D1 MY
PROFES.N IS XS [N REW>D2 B Y >E AT LIB]TY
6DEFRAY :AT"E EXP5SES ,I MAY 2 PUT TO1 AT
! "T : SUITS Y BE/4 ,& N[ ,I BEG T Y W LAY
2F U "EY?+ T MAY HELP U 9 =M+ AN OP9ION ^U
! MATT]40
  8,ALAS60 REPLI$ \R VISITOR1 8! V HORROR
( MY SITU,N LIES 9 ! FACT T MY FE>S >E S
VAGUE1 & MY SUSPICIONS DEP5D S 5TIRELY ^U
SMALL PO9TS1 : MI<T SEEM TRIVIAL 6ANO!R1 T
EV5 HE 6:OM ( ALL O!RS ,I H A "R 6LOOK =
HELP & ADVICE LOOKS ^U ALL T ,I TELL HM AB
X Z ! FANCIES (A N]V\S WOMAN4 ,HE DOES N
SAY S1 B ,I C R1D X F 8 SOO?+ ANSW]S &
AV]T$ EYES4 ,B ,I H HE>D1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 T
Y C SEE DEEPLY 96! MANIFOLD WICK$;S (!
HUMAN HE>T4 ,Y MAY ADVISE ME H[ 6WALK AMID
! DANG]S : 5COMPASS ME40
  8,I AM ALL ATT5;N1 MADAM40
  8,MY "N IS ,HEL5 ,/ON]1 & ,I AM LIV+ )
MY /EP"F1 :O IS ! LA/ SURVIVOR ( "O (!
OLDE/ ,SAXON FAMILIES 9 ,5GL&1 ! ,ROYLOTTS
( ,/OKE ,MORAN1 ON ! WE/]N BORD] (
,SURREY40  ,HOLMES NO4$ 8 H1D4 8,! "N IS         #G
FAMILI> 6ME10 SD HE4
  8,! FAMILY 0 AT "O "T AM;G ! RI*E/ 9
,5GL&1 &! E/ATES EXT5D$ OV] ! BORD]S
96,B]K%IRE 9 ! NOR?1 & ,HAMP%IRE 9 ! WE/4
,9 ! LA/ C5TURY1 H["E1 F\R SU3ESSIVE HEIRS
7 (A 4SOLUTE & WA/E;L 4POSI;N1 &! FAMILY
RU9 0 EV5TU,Y -PLET$ 0A GAM#R 9 ! "DS (!
,REG5CY4 ,NO?+ 0 LEFT SAVE A FEW ACRES (
GR.D1 &! TWO-HUNDR$-YE>-OLD H\SE1 : IS XF
CRU%$ "U A H1VY MORTGAGE4 ,! LA/ SQUIRE
DRA7$ \ 8 EXI/;E "!1 LIV+ ! HORRI# LIFE (
AN >I/OCRATIC PAUP]1 B 8 ONLY SON1 MY
/EP"F1 SEE+ T HE M/ ADAPT HMF 6! NEW
3DI;NS1 OBTA9$ AN ADV.E F A RELATIVE1 :
5A#D HM 6TAKE A M$ICAL DEGREE & W5T \
6,CALCUTTA1 ":1 0HIS PROFES.NAL SKILL & 8
=CE ( "*1 HE E/ABLI%$ A L>GE PRACTICE4 ,9
A FIT ( ANG]1 H["E1 CAUS$ 0"S RO2]IES : _H
BE5 P]PETRAT$ 9 ! H\SE1 HE B1T 8 NATIVE
BUTL] 6D1? & N>R[LY ESCAP$ A CAPITAL
S5T;E4 ,Z X WAS1 HE SU6]$ A L;G T]M (
IMPRISON;T & AFWS RETURN$ 6,5GL& A MOROSE
& 4APPO9T$ MAN4
  8,:5 ,DR4 ,ROYLOTT 0 9 ,9DIA HE M>RI$ MY"M1 ,MRS4 ,/ON]1 ! "Y WID[ ( ,MAJOR     #H
,G5]AL ,/ON]1 (! ,B5GAL ,>TILL]Y4 ,MY SI/]
,JULIA & ,I 7 TW9S1 & WE 7 ONLY TWO YE>S
OLD AT ! "T ( MY "M'S RE-M>RIAGE4 ,%E _H A
3SID]A# SUM ( M"OY-N LESS ?AN ,L#AJJJ A
YE>-& ? %E 2QU1!D 6,DR4 ,ROYLOTT 5TIRELY
:ILE WE RESID$ ) HM1 )A PROVI.N T A C]TA9
ANNUAL SUM %D 2 ALL[$ 6EA* ( U 9 ! EV5T (
\R M>RIAGE4 ,%ORTLY AF \R RETURN 6,5GL& MY
"M DI$-%E 0 KILL$ EI<T YE>S AGO 9 A
RAILWAY A3ID5T NE> ,CREWE4 ,DR4 ,ROYLOTT
!N AB&ON$ 8 ATTEMPTS 6E/ABLI% HMF 9
PRACTICE 9 ,LONDON & TOOK U 6LIVE ) HM 9 !
OLD ANCE/RAL H\SE AT ,/OKE ,MORAN4 ,! M"OY
: MY "M _H LEFT 0 5 = ALL \R WANTS1 & "!
SEEM$ 6BE NO OB/ACLE 6\R HAPPI;S4
  8,B A T]RI# *ANGE CAME OV] \R /EP"F AB ?
"T4 ,9/1D ( MAK+ FRS & EX*ANG+ VISITS ) \R
NEI<B\RS1 :O _H AT F/ BE5 OV]JOY$ 6SEE A
,ROYLOTT ( ,/OKE ,MORAN BACK 9 ! OLD
FAMILY S1T1 HE %UT HMF UP 9 8 H\SE &
SELDOM CAME \ SAVE 69DULGE 9 F]OCI\S
QU>RELS ) :O"E MI<T CROSS 8 PA?4 ,VIOL;E (
TEMP] APPROA*+ 6MANIA HAS BE5 H]$IT>Y 9 !
M5 (! FAMILY1 & 9 MY /EP"F'S CASE X _H1 ,I2LIEVE1 BE5 9T5SIFI$ 0HIS L;G RESID;E   #I
9 ! TROPICS4 ,A S]IES ( 4GRACE;L BRAWLS
TOOK PLACE1 TWO ( : 5D$ 9 ! POLICE-C\RT1
UNTIL AT LA/ HE 2CAME ! T]ROR (! VILLAGE1
&! FOLKS WD FLY AT 8 APPROA*1 = HE IS A
MAN ( IMM5SE /R5G?1 & ABSOLUTELY
UNCONTROLLA# 9 8 ANG]4
  8,LA/ WEEK HE HURL$ ! LOCAL BLACKSMI?
OV] A P>APET 96A /R1M1 & X 0 ONLY 0PAY+
OV] ALL ! M"OY : ,I CD GA!R TGR T ,I 0 A#
6AV]T ANO!R PUBLIC EXPOSURE4 ,HE _H NO FRS
AT ALL SAVE ! W&]+ GYPSIES1 & HE WD GIVE
^! VAGABONDS L1VE 65CAMP ^U ! FEW ACRES (
BRAM#-COV]$ L& : REPRES5T ! FAMILY E/ATE1
& WD A3EPT 9 RETURN ! HOSPITAL;Y ( _!
T5TS1 W&]+ AWAY ) !M "S"TS = WEEKS ON 5D4
,HE HAS A PAS.N AL = ,9DIAN ANIMALS1 : >E
S5T OV] 6HM 0A CORRESPOND5T1 & HE HAS AT ?
MO;T A *EETAH &A BABOON1 : W&] FREELY OV]
8 GR.DS & >E FE>$ 0! VILLAG]S ALM Z M* Z
_! MA/]4
  8,Y C IMAG9E F :AT ,I SAY T MY POOR SI/]
,JULIA & ,I _H NO GRT PL1SURE 9 \R LIVES4
,NO S]VANT WD /AY ) U1 &=A L;G "T WE DID
ALL ! "W (! H\SE4 ,%E 0 B ?IRTY AT ! "T (H] D1?1 & YET H] HAIR _H ALR 2GUN      #AJ
6:IT51 EV5 Z M9E HAS40
  8,YR SI/] IS D1D1 !N80
  8,%E DI$ J TWO YE>S AGO1 & X IS ( H] D1?
T ,I WI% 6SP1K 6Y4 ,Y C "U/& T1 LIV+ !
LIFE : ,I H DESCRIB$1 WE 7 LL LIKELY 6SEE
ANY"O ( \R [N AGE & POSI;N4 ,WE _H1 H["E1
AN AUNT1 MY "M'S MAID5 SI/]1 ,MISS
,HONORIA ,WE/PHAIL1 :O LIVES NE> ,H>R[1 &
WE 7 O3A.N,Y ALL[$ 6PAY %ORT VISITS AT ?
LADY'S H\SE4 ,JULIA W5T "! AT ,*RI/MAS TWO
YE>S AGO1 & MET "! A HALF-PAY MAJOR (
M>9ES1 6:OM %E 2CAME 5GAG$4 ,MY /EP"F
LE>N$ (! 5GAGE;T :5 MY SI/] RETURN$ & (F]$
NO OBJEC;N 6! M>RIAGE2 B )9 A =TNI<T (! "D
: _H BE5 FIX$ =! W$D+1 ! T]RI# EV5T O3URR$
: HAS DEPRIV$ ME ( MY ONLY -PANION40
  ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES _H BE5 L1N+ BACK 9 8
*AIR ) 8 EYES CLOS$ & 8 H1D SUNK 9 A
CU%ION1 B HE HALF OP5$ 8 LIDS N[ & GL.ED
ACR AT 8 VISITOR4
  8,PRAY 2 PRECISE Z 6DETAILS10 SD HE4
  8,X IS EASY = ME 6BE S1 = E EV5T ( T
DR1D;L "T IS SE>$ 96MY MEMORY4 ,! MANOR-
H\SE IS1 Z ,I H ALR SD1 V OLD1 & ONLY "OW+ IS N[ 9HABIT$4 ,! B$ROOMS 9 ? W+    #AA
>E ON ! GR.D FLOOR1 ! SITT+-ROOMS 2+ 9 !
C5TRAL BLOCK (! BUILD+S4 ,( ^! B$ROOMS !
F/ IS ,DR4 ,ROYLOTT'S1 ! SECOND MY SI/]'S1
&! ?IRD MY [N4 ,"! IS NO -MUNIC,N 2T !M1 B
!Y ALL OP5 \ 96! SAME CORRIDOR4 ,D ,I MAKE
MYF PLA980
  8,P]FECTLY S40
  8,! W9D[S (! ?REE ROOMS OP5 \ ^U ! LAWN4
,T FATAL NI<T ,DR4 ,ROYLOTT _H G"O 6HIS
ROOM E>LY1 ?\< WE KNEW T HE _H N RETIR$
6RE/1 = MY SI/] 0 TR\#D 0! SMELL (! /R;G
,9DIAN CIG>S : X 0 8 CU/OM 6SMOKE4 ,%E
LEFT H] ROOM1 "!=E1 & CAME 96M9E1 ": %E
SAT = "S "T1 *ATT+ AB H] APPROA*+ W$D+4
,AT ELEV5 O'C %E ROSE 6L1VE ME1 B %E PAUS$
AT ! DOOR & LOOK$ BACK4
  8,8,TELL ME1 ,HEL510' SD %E1 ,8H Y "E
HE>D ANY"O :I/LE 9 ! D1D (! NI<T80'
  8,8,N"E10' SD ,I4
  8,8,I SUPPOSE T Y CD N POSSIBLY :I/LE1
YRF1 9 YR SLEEP80'
  8,8,C]TA9LY N4 ,B :Y80'
  8,8,2C DUR+ ! LA/ FEW NI<TS ,I H ALW1 AB
?REE 9 ! MORN+1 HE>D A L[1 CLE> :I/LE4 ,IAM A LI<T SLEEP]1 & X HAS AWAK5$ ME4   #AB
,I _C TELL ": X CAME F-P]H F ! NEXT ROOM1
P]H F ! LAWN4 ,I ?"\ T ,I WD J ASK Y :E!R
Y _H HE>D X40'
  8,8,NO1 ,I H N4 ,X M/ 2 ^? WRET*$
GYPSIES 9 ! PLANT,N40'
  8,8,V LIKELY4 ,& YET IF X 7 ON ! LAWN1
,I WOND] T Y DID N HE> X AL40'
  8,8,AH1 B ,I SLEEP M H1VILY ?AN Y40'
  8,8,WELL1 X IS ( NO GRT 3SEQU;E1 AT ANY
RATE40' ,%E SMIL$ BACK AT ME1 CLOS$ MY
DOOR1 &A FEW MO;TS LAT] ,I HE>D H] KEY
TURN 9 ! LOCK40
  8,9DE$10 SD ,HOLMES4 8,WAS X YR CU/OM
ALW 6LOCK YRVS 9 AT NI<T80
  8,ALW40
  8,& :Y80
  8,I ?9K T ,I M5;N$ 6Y T ! DOCTOR KEPT A
*EETAH &A BABOON4 ,WE _H NO FEEL+ (
SECUR;Y UN.S \R DOORS 7 LOCK$40
  8,Q S4 ,PRAY PROCE$ ) YR /ATE;T40
  8,I CD N SLEEP T NI<T4 ,A VAGUE FEEL+ (
IMP5D+ MIS=TUNE IMPRESS$ ME4 ,MY SI/] &
,I1 Y W RECOLLECT1 7 TW9S1 & Y "K H[
SUBTLE >E ! L9KS : B9D TWO S\LS : >E SCLOSELY ALLI$4 ,X 0 A WILD NI<T4 ,!    #AC
W9D 0 H[L+ \TSIDE1 &! RA9 0 B1T+ & SPLA%+
AG/ ! W9D[S4 ,SU45LY1 AMID ALL ! HU2UB (!
GALE1 "! BUR/ =? ! WILD SCR1M (A T]RIFI$
WOMAN4 ,I KNEW T X 0 MY SI/]'S VOICE4 ,I
SPRANG F MY B$1 WRAPP$ A %AWL R.D ME1 &
RU%$ 96! CORRIDOR4 ,Z ,I OP5$ MY DOOR ,I
SEEM$ 6HE> A L[ :I/LE1 S* Z MY SI/]
DESCRIB$1 &A FEW MO;TS LAT] A CLANG+ S.D1
Z IF A MASS ( METAL _H FALL54 ,Z ,I RAN
D[N ! PASSAGE1 MY SI/]'S DOOR 0 UNLOCK$1 &
REVOLV$ SL[LY ^U XS H+ES4 ,I />$ AT X
HORROR-/RICK51 N "K+ :AT 0 AB 6ISSUE F X4
,0! LI<T (! CORRIDOR-LAMP ,I SAW MY SI/]
APPE> AT ! OP5+1 H] FACE BLAN*$ ) T]ROR1
H] H&S GROP+ = HELP1 H] :OLE FIGURE SWAY+
6& FRO L T (A DRUNK>D4 ,I RAN 6H] & ?REW
MY >MS R.D H]1 B AT T MO;T H] KNEES SEEM$
6GIVE WAY & %E FELL 6! GR.D4 ,%E WRI!D Z
"O :O IS 9 T]RI# PA91 & H] LIMBS 7
DR1D;LLY 3VULS$4 ,AT F/ ,I ?"\ T %E _H N
RECOGNIZ$ ME1 B Z ,I B5T OV] H] %E SU45LY
%RIEK$ \ 9 A VOICE : ,I % N"E =GET1 ,8,OH1
MY ,GOD6 ,HEL56 ,X 0 ! B&6 ,! SPECKL$
B&60' ,"! 0 "S?+ ELSE : %E WD FA9 H SD1 &%E /A2$ ) H] F+] 96! AIR 9 ! DIREC;N   #AD
(! DOCTORS ROOM1 B A FRE% 3VUL.N SEIZ$ H]
& *OK$ H] ^WS4 ,I RU%$ \1 CALL+ L\DLY = MY
/EP"F1 & ,I MET HM HA/5+ F 8 ROOM 9 8
DRESS+-G[N4 ,:5 HE R1*$ MY SI/]S SIDE %E 0
UNCONSCI\S1 & ?\< HE P\R$ BR&Y D[N H]
?ROAT & S5T = M$ICAL AID F ! VILLAGE1 ALL
EF=TS 7 9 VA91 = %E SL[LY SANK & DI$ )\T
HAV+ RECOV]$ H] 3SCI\S;S4 ,S* 0 ! DR1D;L
5D ( MY 2LOV$ SI/]40
  8,"O MO;T10 SD ,HOLMES2 8>E Y SURE AB ?
:I/LE & METALLIC S.D8 ,CD Y SWE> 6X80
  8,T 0 :AT ! C.TY CORON] ASK$ ME AT !
9QUIRY4 ,X IS MY /R;G IMPRES.N T ,I HE>D
X1 & YET1 AM;G ! CRA% (! GALE &! CR1K+ (
AN OLD H\SE1 ,I MAY POSSIBLY H BE5 DCVD40
  8,WAS YR SI/] DRESS$80
  8,NO1 %E 0 9 H] NI<T-DRESS4 ,9 H] "R H&
0 F.D ! *>R$ /UMP (A MAT*1 & 9 H] LEFT A
MAT*-BOX40
  8,%[+ T %E _H /RUCK A LI<T & LOOK$ AB H]
:5 ! AL>M TOOK PLACE4 ,T IS IMPORTANT4 ,&
:AT 3CLU.NS DID ! CORON] -E TO80
  8,HE 9VE/IGAT$ ! CASE ) GRT C>E1 = ,DR4
,ROYLOTT'S 3DUCT _H L;G BE5 NOTORI\S 9 !C.TY1 B HE 0 UNA# 6F9D ANY             #AE
SATISFACTORY CAUSE ( D1?4 ,MY EVID;E %[$ T
! DOOR _H BE5 FA/5$ ^U ! 9N] SIDE1 &!
W9D[S 7 BLOCK$ 0OLD-FA%ION$ %UTT]S ) BROAD
IRON B>S1 : 7 SECUR$ E NI<T4 ,! WALLS 7
C>E;LLY S.D$1 & 7 %[N 6BE Q SOLID ALL R.D1
&! FLOOR+ 0 AL ?OR\<LY EXAM9$1 )! SAME
RESULT4 ,! *IMNEY IS WIDE1 B IS B>R$ UP
0F\R L>GE /APLES4 ,X IS C]TA91 "!=E1 T MY
SI/] 0 Q AL"O :5 %E MET H] 5D4 ,2SS1 "! 7
NO M>KS ( ANY VIOL;E ^U H]40
  8,H[ AB POISON80
  8,! DOCTORS EXAM9$ H] = X1 B )\T
SU3ESS40
  8,:AT D Y ?9K T ? UN=TUNATE LADY DI$ (1
!N80
  8,X IS MY 2LIEF T %E DI$ ( PURE FE> &
N]V\S %OCK1 ?\< :AT X 0 T F"R5$ H] ,I _C
IMAG9E40
  8,W]E "! GYPSIES 9 ! PLANT,N AT ! "T80
  8,YES1 "! >E NE>LY ALW "S "!40
  8,AH1 & :AT DID Y GA!R F ? ALLU.N 6A B&-
A SPECKL$ B&80
  8,"S"TS ,I H ?"\ T X 0 M]ELY ! WILD TALK
( DELIRIUM1 "S"TS T X MAY H REF]R$ 6"S B&( P1 P]H 6^! V GYPSIES 9 ! PLANT,N4    #AF
,I D N "K :E!R ! SPOTT$ H&K]*IEFS : S _M (
!M WE> OV] _! H1DS MI<T H SU7E/$ ! /RANGE
ADJECTIVE : %E US$40
  ,HOLMES %OOK 8 H1D L A MAN :O IS F> F 2+
SATISFI$4
  8,^! >E V DEEP WAT]S10 SD HE2 8PRAY G ON
) YR N>RATIVE40
  8,TWO YE>S H PASS$ S9CE !N1 & MY LIFE
HAS BE5 UNTIL LATELY L"OLI] ?AN "E4 ,A
MON? AGO1 H["E1 A DE> FR1 :OM ,I H "KN =
_M YE>S1 HAS D"O ME ! HON\R 6ASK MY H& 9
M>RIAGE4 ,8 "N IS ,>MITAGE-,P]CY ,>MITAGE-
! SECOND SON ( ,MR4 ,>MITAGE1 ( ,CRANE
,WAT]1 NE> ,R1D+4 ,MY /EP"F HAS (F]$ NO
OPPOSI;N 6! MAT*1 & WE >E 6BE M>RI$ 9 !
C\RSE (! SPR+4 ,TWO "DS AGO "S REPAIRS 7
/>T$ 9 ! WE/ W+ (! BUILD+1 & MY B$ROOM
WALL HAS BE5 PI]C$1 S T ,I H _H 6MOVE 96!
*AMB] 9 : MY SI/] DI$1 & 6SLEEP 9 ! V B$ 9
: %E SLEPT4 ,IMAG9E1 !N1 MY ?RILL ( T]ROR
:5 LA/ NI<T1 Z ,I LAY AWAKE1 ?9K+ OV] H]
T]RI# FATE1 ,I SU45LY HE>D 9 ! SIL;E (!
NI<T ! L[ :I/LE : _H BE5 ! H]ALD ( H] [N
D1?4 ,I SPRANG UP & LIT ! LAMP1 B NO?+ 06BE SE5 9 ! ROOM4 ,I 0 TOO %AK5 6G     #AG
6B$ AG1 H["E1 S ,I DRESS$1 & Z SOON Z X 0
"DLI<T ,I SLIPP$ D[N1 GOT A DOG-C>T AT !
,CR[N ,9N1 : IS OPPOSITE1 & DROVE
6,L1!RH1D1 F :;E ,I H -E ON ? MORN+ )! "O
OBJECT ( SEE+ Y & ASK+ YR ADVICE40
  8,Y H D"O WISELY10 SD MY FR4 8,B H Y
TOLD ME ALL80
  8,YES1 ALL40
  8,MISS ,ROYLOTT1 Y H N4 ,Y >E SCRE5+ YR
/EP"F40
  8,:Y1 :AT D Y M1N80
  ,= ANSW] ,HOLMES PU%$ BACK ! FRILL (
BLACK LACE : FR+$ ! H& T LAY ^U \R
VISITOR'S KNEE4 ,FIVE LL LIVID SPOTS1 !
M>KS ( F\R F+]S &A ?UMB1 7 PR9T$ ^U ! :ITE
WRI/4
  8,Y H BE5 CRUELLY US$10 SD ,HOLMES4
  ,! LADY COL\R$ DEEPLY & COV]$ OV] H]
9JUR$ WRI/4 8,HE IS A H>D MAN10 %E SD1 8&
P]H HE H>DLY "KS 8 [N /R5G?40
  ,"! 0 A L;G SIL;E1 DUR+ : ,HOLMES L1N$ 8
*9 ^U 8 H&S & />$ 96! CRACKL+ FIRE4
  8,? IS A V DEEP BUSI;S10 HE SD AT LA/4
8,"! >E A ?\S& DETAILS : ,I %D DESIRE 6"K2F ,I DECIDE ^U \R C\RSE ( AC;N4       #AH
,YET WE H N A MO;T 6LOSE4 ,IF WE 7 6-E
6,/OKE ,MORAN TO-"D1 WD X 2 POSSI# = U
6SEE OV] ^! ROOMS )\T ! K ( YR /EP"F80
  8,Z X HAPP5S1 HE SPOKE ( -+ 96T[N TO-"D
^U "S MO/ IMPORTANT BUSI;S4 ,X IS PROBA# T
HE W 2 AWAY ALL "D1 & T "! WD 2 NO?+
64TURB Y4 ,WE H A H\SEKEEP] N[1 B %E IS
OLD & FOOLI%1 & ,I CD EASILY GET H] \ (!
WAY40
  8,EXCELL5T4 ,Y >E N AV]SE 6? TRIP1
,WATSON80
  8,0NO M1NS40
  8,!N WE % BO? -E4 ,:AT >E Y GO+ 6D YRF80
  8,I H "O OR TWO ?+S : ,I WD WI% 6D N[ T
,I AM 9 T[N4 ,B ,I % RETURN 0! TWELVE O'C
TRA91 S Z 6BE "! 9 "T = YR -+40
  8,& Y MAY EXPECT U E>LY 9 ! AFN4 ,I H
MYF "S SMALL BUSI;S MATT]S 6ATT5D TO4 ,W Y
N WAIT & BR1KFA/80
  8,NO1 ,I M/ G4 ,MY HE>T IS LI<T5$ ALR
S9CE ,I H 3FID$ MY TR\# 6Y4 ,I % LOOK =W>D
6SEE+ Y AG ? AFN40 ,%E DROPP$ H] ?ICK
BLACK VEIL OV] H] FACE & GLID$ F ! ROOM4
  8,& :AT D Y ?9K ( X ALL1 ,WATSON80 ASK$,%]LOCK ,HOLMES1 L1N+ BACK 9 8 *AIR4   #AI
  8,X SEEMS 6ME 6BE A MO/ D>K & S9I/]
BUSI;S40
  8,D>K 5 & S9I/] 5\<40
  8,YET IF ! LADY IS CORRECT 9 SAY+ T !
FLOOR+ & WALLS >E S.D1 & T ! DOOR1 W9D[1 &
*IMNEY >E IMPASSA#1 !N H] SI/] M/ H BE5
UND\BT$LY AL"O :5 %E MET H] MY/]I\S 5D40
  8,:AT 2COMES1 !N1 ( ^! NOCTURNAL :I/LES1
& :AT (! V PECULI> ^WS (! DY+ WOMAN80
  8,I _C ?9K40
  8,:5 Y -B9E ! ID1S ( :I/LES AT NI<T1 !
PRES;E (A B& ( GYPSIES :O >E ON 9TIMATE
T]MS ) ? OLD DOCTOR1 ! FACT T WE H E R1SON
62LIEVE T ! DOCTOR HAS AN 9T]E/ 9 PREV5T+
8 /EPDAU<T]'S M>RIAGE1 ! DY+ ALLU.N 6A B&1
&1 F9,Y1 ! FACT T ,MISS ,HEL5 ,/ON] HE>D A
METALLIC CLANG1 : MI<T H BE5 CAUS$ 0"O (
^? METAL B>S T SECUR$ ! %UTT]S FALL+ BACK
96XS PLACE1 ,I ?9K T "! IS GD GR.D 6?9K T
! MY/]Y MAY 2 CLE>$ AL;G ^? L9ES40
  8,B :AT1 !N1 DID ! GYPSIES D80
  8,I _C IMAG9E40
  8,I SEE _M OBJEC;NS 6ANY S* !ORY40
  8,& S D ,I4 ,X IS PRECISELY = T R1SON TWE >E GO+ 6,/OKE ,MORAN ? "D4 ,I       #BJ
WANT 6SEE :E!R ! OBJEC;NS >E FATAL1 OR IF
!Y MAY 2 EXPLA9$ AWAY4 ,B :AT 9 ! "N (!
DEVIL60
  ,! EJACUL,N _H BE5 DRAWN F MY -PANION 0!
FACT T \R DOOR _H BE5 SU45LY DA%$ OP51 & T
A HUGE MAN _H FRAM$ HMF 9 ! AP]TURE4 ,8
CO/UME 0 A PECULI> MIXTURE (! PROFES.NAL &
(! AGRICULTURAL1 HAV+ A BLACK TOP-HAT1 A
L;G FROCK-COAT1 &A PAIR ( HI< GAIT]S1 )A
HUNT+-CROP SW++ 9 8 H&4 ,S TALL 0 HE T 8
HAT ACTU,Y BRU%$ ! CROSS B> (! DOORWAY1 &
8 BR1D? SEEM$ 6SPAN X ACR F SIDE 6SIDE4 ,A
L>GE FACE1 SE>$ )A ?\S& WR9KLES1 BURN$
YELL[ )! SUN1 & M>K$ ) E EVIL PAS.N1 0
TURN$ F "O 6! O!R ( U1 :ILE 8 DEEP-SET1
BILE-%OT EYES1 & 8 HI<1 ?91 FLE%.S NOSE1
GAVE HM "S:AT ! RESEMBL.E 6A FI]CE OLD
BIRD ( PREY4
  8,: ( Y IS ,HOLMES80 ASK$ ? APP>I;N4
  8,MY "N1 SIR2 B Y H ! ADVANTAGE ( ME10
SD MY -PANION QUIETLY4
  8,I AM ,DR4 ,GRIMESBY ,ROYLOTT1 ( ,/OKES
,MORAN40
  8,9DE$1 ,DOCTOR10 SD ,HOLMES BL&LY48,PRAY TAKE A S1T40                    #BA
  8,I W D NO?+ (! K9D4 ,MY /EPDAU<T] HAS
BE5 "H4 ,I H TRAC$ H]4 ,:AT HAS %E BE5
SAY+ 6Y80
  8,X IS A LL COLD =! "T (! YE>10 SD
,HOLMES4
  8,:AT HAS %E BE5 SAY+ 6Y80 SCR1M$ ! OLD
MAN FURI\SLY4
  8,B ,I H HE>D T ! CROCUSES PROMISE
WELL10 3T9U$ MY -PANION IMP]TURBABLY4
  8,HA6 ,Y PUT ME (F1 D Y80 SD \R NEW
VISITOR1 TAK+ A /EP =W>D & %AK+ 8 HUNT+-
CROP4 8,I "K Y1 Y SC.DREL6 ,I H HE>D ( Y
2F4 ,Y >E ,HOLMES1 ! M$DL]40
  ,MY FR SMIL$4
  8,HOLMES1 ! BUSYBODY80
  ,8 SMILE BROAD5$4
  8,HOLMES1 ! ,SCOTL& ,Y>D ,JACK-IN-
(FICE60
  ,HOLMES *UCKL$ HE>TILY4 8,YR 3V]S,N IS
MO/ 5T]TA9+10 SD HE4 8,:5 Y G \ CLOSE !
DOOR1 = "! IS A DECID$ DRAU<T40
  8,I W G :5 ,I H SD MY SAY4 ,DON'T Y D>E
6M$DLE ) MY A6AIRS4 ,I "K T ,MISS ,/ON]
HAS BE5 "H4 ,I TRAC$ H]6 ,I AM A DANG]\SMAN 6FALL F\L (F ,SEE "H40 ,HE /EPP$   #BB
SWIFTLY =W>D1 SEIZ$ ! POK]1 & B5T X 96A
CURVE ) 8 HUGE BR[N H&S4
  8,SEE T Y KEEP YRF \ ( MY GRIP10 HE
SN>L$1 & HURL+ ! TWI/$ POK] 96! FIREPLACE
HE /RODE \ (! ROOM4
  8,HE SEEMS A V AMIA# P]SON10 SD ,HOLMES1
LAU<+4 8,I AM N Q S BULKY1 B IF HE _H
REMA9$ ,I MI<T H %[N HM T MY GRIP 0 N M* M
FEE# ?AN 8 [N40 ,Z HE SPOKE HE PICK$ UP !
/EEL POK] &1 )A SU45 EF=T1 /RAI<T5$ X \
AG4
  8,FANCY 8 HAV+ ! 9SOL;E 63F.D ME )!
(FICIAL DETECTIVE =CE6 ,? 9CID5T GIVES ZE/
6\R 9VE/IG,N1 H["E1 & ,I ONLY TRU/ T \R LL
FR W N SU6] F H] IMPRUD;E 9 ALL[+ ? BRUTE
6TRACE H]4 ,& N[1 ,WATSON1 WE % ORD]
BR1KFA/1 & AFWS ,I % WALK D[N 6,DOCTORS'
,-MONS1 ": ,I HOPE 6GET "S DATA : MAY HELP
U 9 ? MATT]40
  ,X 0 NE>LY "O O'C :5 ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES
RETURN$ F 8 EXCUR.N4 ,HE HELD 9 8 H& A
%EET ( BLUE PAP]1 SCRAWL$ OV] ) NOTES &
FIGURES4
  8,I H SE5 ! W (! DEC1S$ WIFE10 SD HE48,6DET]M9E XS EXACT M1N+ ,I H BE5      #BC
OBLIG$ 6"W \ ! PRES5T PRICES (! 9VE/;TS )
: X IS 3C]N$4 ,! TOTAL 9COME1 : AT ! "T (!
WIFE'S D1? 0 LL %ORT ( ,L#AJJJ IS N[1 "? !
FALL 9 AGRICULTURAL PRICES1 N M ?AN
,L#GEJ4 ,EA* DAU<T] C CLAIM AN 9COME (
,L#BEJ1 9 CASE ( M>RIAGE4 ,X IS EVID5T1
"!=E1 T IF BO? GIRLS _H M>RI$1 ? B1UTY WD
H _H A M]E PITT.E1 :ILE EV5 "O ( !M WD
CRIPPLE HM 6A V S]I\S EXT5T4 ,MY MORN+'S
"W HAS N BE5 WA/$1 S9CE X HAS PROV$ T HE
HAS ! V /R;GE/ MOTIVES = /&+ 9 ! WAY (
ANY?+ (! SORT4 ,& N[1 ,WATSON1 ? IS TOO
S]I\S = DAWDL+1 ESPECI,Y Z ! OLD MAN IS
AW>E T WE >E 9T]E/+ \RVS 9 8 A6AIRS2 S IF
Y >E R1DY1 WE % CALL A CAB & DRIVE
6,WAT]LOO4 ,I %D 2 V M* OBLIG$ IF Y WD
SLIP YR REVOLV] 96YR POCKET4 ,AN ,ELEY'S
,NO4 #B IS AN EXCELL5T >GU;T ) G5TLEM5 :O
C TWI/ /EEL POK]S 96KNOTS4 ,T &A TOO?-BRU%
>E1 ,I ?9K1 ALL T WE NE$40
  ,AT ,WAT]LOO WE 7 =TUNATE 9 CAT*+ A TRA9
= ,L1!RH1D1 ": WE HIR$ A TRAP AT ! /,N 9N
& DROVE = F\R OR FIVE MILES "? ! LOVELY
,SURREY LANES4 ,X 0 A P]FECT "D1 )A B"RSUN &A FEW FLEECY CL\DS 9 ! H1V5S4     #BD
,! TREES & WAYSIDE H$GES 7 J ?R[+ \ _! F/
GRE5 %OOTS1 &! AIR 0 FULL (! PL1SANT SMELL
(! MOI/ E>?4 ,6ME AT L1/ "! 0 A /RANGE
3TRA/ 2T ! SWEET PROMISE (! SPR+ & ? S9I/]
QUE/ ^U : WE 7 5GAG$4 ,MY -PANION SAT 9 !
FRONT (! TRAP1 8 >MS FOLD$1 8 HAT PULL$
D[N OV] 8 EYES1 & 8 *9 SUNK ^U 8 BR1/1
BURI$ 9 ! DEEPE/ ?"\4 ,SU45LY1 H["E1 HE
/>T$1 TAPP$ ME ON ! %\LD]1 & PO9T$ OV] !
M1D[S4
  8,LOOK "!60 SD HE4
  ,A H1VILY TIMB]$ P>K /RET*$ UP 9 A G5TLE
SLOPE1 ?ICK5+ 96A GROVE AT ! HI<E/ PO9T4
,F AMID ! BRAN*ES "! JUTT$ \ ! GRAY GA#S &
HI< RO(-TREE (A V OLD MAN.N4
  8,/OKE ,MORAN80 SD HE4
  8,YES1 SIR1 T 2 ! H\SE ( ,DR4 ,GRIMESBY
,ROYLOTT10 REM>K$ ! DRIV]4
  8,"! IS "S BUILD+ GO+ ON "!10 SD
,HOLMES1 8T IS ": WE >E GO+40
  8,"!'S ! VILLAGE10 SD ! DRIV]1 PO9T+ 6A
CLU/] ( RO(S "S 4T.E 6! LEFT2 8B IF Y WANT
6GET 6! H\SE1 Y'LL F9D X %ORT] 6GET OV] ?
/ILE1 & S 0! FOOT-PA? OV] ! FIELDS4 ,"! XIS1 ": ! LADY IS WALK+40               #BE
  8,&! LADY1 ,I FANCY1 IS ,MISS ,/ON]10
OBS]V$ ,HOLMES1 %AD+ 8 EYES4 8,YES1 ,I ?9K
WE _H BETT] D Z Y SU7E/40
  ,WE GOT (F1 PD \R F>E1 &! TRAP RATTL$
BACK ON XS WAY 6,L1!RH1D4
  8,I ?"\ X Z WELL10 SD ,HOLMES Z WE
CLIMB$ ! /ILE1 8T ? FELL[ %D ?9K WE _H -E
"H Z >*ITECTS1 OR ON "S DEF9ITE BUSI;S4 ,X
MAY /OP 8 GOSSIP4 ,GD-AFN1 ,MISS ,/ON]4 ,Y
SEE T WE H BE5 Z GD Z \R ^W40
  ,\R CLI5T (! MORN+ _H HURRI$ =W>D 6MEET
U )A FACE : SPOKE H] JOY4 8,I H BE5 WAIT+
S EAG]LY = Y10 %E CRI$1 %AK+ H&S ) U
W>MLY4 8,ALL HAS TURN$ \ SPL5DIDLY4 ,DR4
,ROYLOTT HAS G"O 6T[N1 & X IS UNLIKELY T
HE W 2 BACK 2F EV5+40
  8,WE H _H ! PL1SURE ( MAK+ ! DOCTORS
ACQUA9T.E10 SD ,HOLMES1 & 9 A FEW ^WS HE
SKET*$ \ :AT _H O3URR$4 ,MISS ,/ON] TURN$
:ITE 6! LIPS Z %E LI/5$4
  8,GD H1V5S60 %E CRI$1 8HE HAS FOLL[$ ME1
!N40
  8,S X APPE>S40
  8,HE IS S CUNN+ T ,I N"E "K :5 ,I AMSAFE F HM4 ,:AT W HE SAY :5 HE         #BF
RETURNS80
  8,HE M/ GU>D HMF1 = HE MAY F9D T "! IS
"S"O M CUNN+ ?AN HMF ^U 8 TRACK4 ,Y M/
LOCK YRF UP F HM TO-NI<T4 ,IF HE IS
VIOL5T1 WE % TAKE Y AWAY 6YR AUNT'S AT
,H>R[4 ,N[1 WE M/ MAKE ! BE/ USE ( \R "T1
S K9DLY TAKE U AT ONCE 6! ROOMS : WE >E
6EXAM9E40
  ,! BUILD+ 0 ( GRAY1 LI*5-BLOT*$ /"O1 )A
HI< C5TRAL POR;N & TWO CURV+ W+S1 L !
CLAWS (A CRAB1 ?R[N \ ON EA* SIDE4 ,9 "O (
^! W+S ! W9D[S 7 BROK5 & BLOCK$ ) WOOD5
BO>DS1 :ILE ! RO( 0 "PLY CAV$ IN1 A
PICTURE ( RU94 ,! C5TRAL POR;N 0 9 LL
BETT] REPAIR1 B ! "R-H& BLOCK 0 -P>ATIVELY
MOD]N1 &! BLS 9 ! W9D[S1 )! BLUE SMOKE
CURL+ UP F ! *IMNEYS1 %[$ T ? 0 ": !
FAMILY RESID$4 ,"S SCA6OLD+ _H BE5 ERECT$
AG/ ! 5D WALL1 &! /"O-"W _H BE5 BROK5 9TO1
B "! 7 NO SIGNS ( ANY "WM5 AT ! MO;T ( \R
VISIT4 ,HOLMES WALK$ SL[LY UP & D[N ! ILL-
TRIMM$ LAWN & EXAM9$ ) DEEP ATT5;N !
\TSIDES (! W9D[S4
  8,?1 ,I TAKE X1 2L;GS 6! ROOM 9 : Y US$6SLEEP1 ! C5TRE "O 6YR SI/]'S1 &! "O   #BG
NEXT 6! MA9 BUILD+ 6,DR4 ,ROYLOTT'S
*AMB]80
  8,EXACTLY S4 ,B ,I AM N[ SLEEP+ 9 !
MI4LE "O40
  8,P5D+ ! ALT],NS1 Z ,I "U/&4 ,0! WAY1 "!
DOES N SEEM 6BE ANY V PRESS+ NE$ = REPAIRS
AT T 5D WALL40
  8,"! 7 N"O4 ,I 2LIEVE T X 0 AN EXCUSE
6MOVE ME F MY ROOM40
  8,AH6 T IS SU7E/IVE4 ,N[1 ON ! O!R SIDE
( ? N>R[ W+ RUNS ! CORRIDOR F : ^! ?REE
ROOMS OP54 ,"! >E W9D[S 9 X1 ( C\RSE80
  8,YES1 B V SMALL "OS4 ,TOO N>R[ = ANY"O
6PASS "?40
  8,Z Y BO? LOCK$ YR DOORS AT NI<T1 YR
ROOMS 7 UNAPPROA*A# F T SIDE4 ,N[1 WD Y H
! K9D;S 6G 96YR ROOM & B> YR %UTT]S80
  ,MISS ,/ON] DID S1 & ,HOLMES1 AF A C>E;L
EXAM9,N "? ! OP5 W9D[1 5D1V\R$ 9 E WAY
6=CE ! %UTT] OP51 B )\T SU3ESS4 ,"! 0 NO
SLIT "? : A KNIFE CD 2 PASS$ 6RAISE ! B>4
,!N ) 8 L5S HE TE/$ ! H+ES1 B !Y 7 ( SOLID
IRON1 BUILT FIRMLY 96! MASSIVE MASONRY4
8,HUM60 SD HE1 SCRAT*+ 8 *9 9 "S P]PLEX;Y18MY !ORY C]TA9LY PRES5TS "S            #BH
DI6ICULTIES4 ,NO "O CD PASS ^! %UTT]S IF
!Y 7 BOLT$4 ,WELL1 WE % SEE IF ! 9SIDE
?R[S ANY LI<T ^U ! MATT]40
  ,A SMALL SIDE DOOR L$ 96! :ITEWA%$
CORRIDOR F : ! ?REE B$ROOMS OP5$4 ,HOLMES
REFUS$ 6EXAM9E ! ?IRD *AMB]1 S WE PASS$ AT
ONCE 6! SECOND1 T 9 : ,MISS ,/ON] 0 N[
SLEEP+1 & 9 : H] SI/] _H MET ) H] FATE4 ,X
0 A HOMELY LL ROOM1 )A L[ CEIL+ &A GAP+
FIREPLACE1 AF ! FA%ION ( OLD C.TRY-H\SES4
,A BR[N *E/ ( DRAW]S /OOD 9 "O CORN]1 A
N>R[ :ITE-C.T]PAN$ B$ 9 ANO!R1 &A DRESS+
TA# ON ! LEFT-H& SIDE (! W9D[4 ,^!
>TICLES1 ) TWO SMALL WICK]"W *AIRS1 MADE
UP ALL ! FURNITURE 9 ! ROOM SAVE =A SQU>E
( ,WILTON C>PET 9 ! C5TRE4 ,! BO>DS R.D &!
PANELL+ (! WALLS 7 ( BR[N1 WORM-EAT5 OAK1
S OLD & 4COL\R$ T X MAY H DAT$ F ! ORIG9AL
BUILD+ (! H\SE4 ,HOLMES DREW "O (! *AIRS
96A CORN] & SAT SIL5T1 :ILE 8 EYES
TRAVELL$ R.D & R.D & UP & D[N1 TAK+ 9 E
DETAIL (! A"P;T4
  8,": DOES T BELL -MUNICATE )80 HE ASK$
AT LA/1 PO9T+ 6A ?ICK BELL-ROPE : HUNG D[N2S ! B$1 ! TASSEL ACTU,Y LY+ ^U !      #BI
PILL[4
  8,X GOES 6! H\SEKEEP]'S ROOM40
  8,X LOOKS NEW] ?AN ! O!R ?+S80
  8,YES1 X 0 ONLY PUT "! A C\PLE ( YE>S
AGO40
  8,YR SI/] ASK$ = X ,I SUPPOSE80
  8,NO1 ,I N"E HE>D ( H] US+ X4 ,WE US$
ALW 6GET :AT WE WANT$ = \RVS40
  8,9DE$1 X SEEM$ UNNEC 6PUT S NICE A
BELL-PULL "!4 ,Y W EXCUSE ME =A FEW M9UTES
:ILE ,I SATISY MYF Z 6? FLOOR40 ,HE ?REW
HMF D[N ^U 8 FACE ) 8 L5S 9 8 H& & CRAWL$
SWIFTLY BACKW>D & =W>D1 EXAM9+ M9UTELY !
CRACKS 2T ! BO>DS4 ,!N HE DID ! SAME )!
WOOD-"W ) : ! *AMB] 0 PANELL$4 ,F9,Y HE
WALK$ OV] 6! B$ & SP5T "S "T 9 />+ AT X &
9 RUNN+ 8 EYE UP & D[N ! WALL4 ,F9,Y HE
TOOK ! BELL-ROPE 9 8 H& & GAVE X A BRISK
TUG4
  8,:Y1 X'S A DUMMY10 SD HE4
  8,WON'T X R+80
  8,NO1 X IS N EV5 ATTA*$ 6A WIRE4 ,? IS V
9T]E/+4 ,Y C SEE N[ T X IS FA/5$ 6A HOOK J
ABV ": ! LL OP5+ =! V5TILATOR IS40  8,H[ V ABSURD6 ,I N"E NOTIC$ T       #CJ
2F40
  8,V /RANGE60 MUTT]$ ,HOLMES1 PULL+ AT !
ROPE4 8,"! >E "O OR TWO V S+UL> PO9TS AB ?
ROOM4 ,= EXAMPLE1 :AT A FOOL A BUILD] M/ 2
6OP5 A V5TILATOR 96ANO!R ROOM1 :51 )! SAME
TR\#1 HE MI<T H -MUNICAT$ )! \TSIDE AIR60
  8,T IS AL Q MOD]N10 SD ! LADY4
  8,D"O AB ! SAME "T Z ! BELL-ROPE80
REM>K$ ,HOLMES4
  8,YES1 "! 7 S"EAL LL *ANGES C>RI$ \ AB T
"T40
  8,!Y SEEM 6H BE5 (A MO/ 9T]E/+ "*-DUMMY
BELL-ROPES1 & V5TILATORS : D N V5TILATE4
,) YR P]MIS.N1 ,MISS ,/ON]1 WE % N[ C>RY
\R RESE>*ES 96! 9N] A"P;T40
  ,DR4 ,GRIMESBY ,ROYLOTT'S *AMB] 0 L>G]
?AN T ( 8 /EPDAU<T]1 B 0 Z PLA9LY FURNI%$4
,A CAMP-B$1 A SMALL WOOD5 %ELF FULL (
BOOKS1 MO/LY (A TE*NICAL "*1 AN >M*AIR 2S
! B$1 A PLA9 WOOD5 *AIR AG/ ! WALL1 A R.D
TA#1 &A L>GE IRON SAFE 7 ! PR9CIPAL ?+S :
MET ! EYE4 ,HOLMES WALK$ SL[LY R.D &
EXAM9$ EA* & ALL ( !M )! KE5E/ 9T]E/4
  8,:AT'S 9 "H80 HE ASK$1 TAPP+ ! SAFE4  8,MY /EP"F'S BUSI;S PAP]S40          #CA
  8,OH6 Y H SE5 9SIDE1 !N80
  8,ONLY ONCE1 "S YE>S AGO4 ,I REMEMB] T X
0 FULL ( PAP]S40
  8,"! ISN'T A CAT 9 X1 = EXAMPLE80'
  8,NO4 ,:AT A /RANGE IDEA60
  8,WELL1 LOOK AT ?60 ,HE TOOK UP A SMALL
SAUC] ( MILK : /OOD ON ! TOP ( X4
  8,NO2 WE DON'T KEEP A CAT4 ,B "! IS A
*EETAH &A BABOON40
  8,AH1 YES1 ( C\RSE6 ,WELL1 A *EETAH IS J
A BIG CAT1 & YET A SAUC] ( MILK DOES N G V
F> 9 SATISFY+ XS WANTS1 ,I D>ESAY4 ,"! IS
"O PO9T : ,I %D WI% 6DET]M9E40 ,HE SQUATT$
D[N 9 FRONT (! WOOD5 *AIR & EXAM9$ ! S1T (
X )! GRTE/ ATT5;N4
  8,?ANK Y4 ,T IS Q SETTL$10 SD HE1 RIS+ &
PUTT+ 8 L5S 9 8 POCKET4 8,HELLO6 ,"H IS
"S?+ 9T]E/+60
  ,! OBJECT : _H CAU<T 8 EYE 0 A SMALL DOG
LA% HUNG ON "O CORN] (! B$4 ,! LA%1 H["E1
0 CURL$ ^U XF & TI$ S Z 6MAKE A LOOP (
:IPCORD4
  8,:AT D Y MAKE ( T1 ,WATSON80
  8,X'S A -MON 5 LA%4 ,B ,I DON'T "K :Y X%D 2 TI$40                             #CB
  8,T IS N Q S -MON1 IS X8 ,AH1 ME6 X'S A
WICK$ _W1 & :5 A CL"E MAN TURNS 8 BRA9S
6CRIME X IS ! WOR/ ( ALL4 ,I ?9K T ,I H
SE5 5 N[1 ,MISS ,/ON]1 &) YR P]MIS.N WE %
WALK \ ^U ! LAWN40
  ,I _H N"E SE5 MY FR'S FACE S GRIM OR 8
BR[ S D>K Z X 0 :5 WE TURN$ F ! SC5E ( ?
9VE/IG,N4 ,WE _H WALK$ S"EAL "TS UP & D[N
! LAWN1 NEI ,MISS ,/ON] NOR MYF LIK+ 6BR1K
9 ^U 8 ?"\S 2F HE R\S$ HMF F 8 R"EIE4
  8,X IS V ESS5TIAL1 ,MISS ,/ON]10 SD HE1
8T Y %D ABSOLUTELY FOLL[ MY ADVICE 9 E
RESPECT40
  8,I % MO/ C]TA9LY D S40
  8,! MATT] IS TOO S]I\S = ANY HESIT,N4
,YR LIFE MAY DEP5D ^U YR -PLI.E40
  8,I ASSURE Y T ,I AM 9 YR H&S40
  8,IN ! F/ PLACE1 BO? MY FR & ,I M/ SP5D
! NI<T 9 YR ROOM40
  ,BO? ,MISS ,/ON] & ,I GAZ$ AT HM 9
A/ONI%;T4
  8,YES1 X M/ 2 S4 ,LET ME EXPLA94 ,I
2LIEVE T T IS ! VILLAGE 9N OV] "!80
  8,YES1 T IS ! ,CR[N40  8,V GD4 ,YR W9D[S WD 2 VISI# F       #CC
"!80
  8,C]TA9LY40
  8,Y M/ 3F9E YRF 6YR ROOM1 ON PRET;E (A
H1DA*E1 :5 YR /EP"F -ES BACK4 ,!N :5 Y HE>
HM RETIRE =! NI<T1 Y M/ OP5 ! %UTT]S ( YR
W9D[1 UNDO ! HASP1 PUT YR LAMP "! Z A
SIGNAL 6U1 & !N )DRAW QUIETLY ) "EY?+ : Y
>E LIKELY 6WANT 96! ROOM : Y US$ 6O3UPY4
,I H NO D\BT T1 9 SPITE (! REPAIRS1 Y CD
MANAGE "! = "O NI<T40
  8,OH1 YES1 EASILY40
  8,! RE/ Y W L1VE 9 \R H&S40
  8,B :AT W Y D80
  8,WE % SP5D ! NI<T 9 YR ROOM1 & WE %
9VE/IGATE ! CAUSE ( ? NOISE : HAS 4TURB$
Y40
  8,I 2LIEVE1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 T Y H ALR MADE
UP YR M9D10 SD ,MISS ,/ON]1 LAY+ H] H& ^U
MY -PANION'S SLEEVE4
  8,P]H ,I H40
  8,!N1 = P;Y'S SAKE1 TELL ME :AT 0 !
CAUSE ( MY SI/]'S D1?40
  8,I %D PREF] 6H CLE>] PRO(S 2F ,I SP1K40
  8,Y C AT L1/ TELL ME :E!R MY [N ?"\ ISCORRECT1 & IF %E DI$ F "S SU45 F"R40   #CD
  8,NO1 ,I D N ?9K S4 ,I ?9K T "! 0
PROBABLY "S M TANGI# CAUSE4 ,& N[1 ,MISS
,/ON]1 WE M/ L1VE Y1 = IF ,DR4 ,ROYLOTT
RETURN$ & SAW U \R J\RNEY WD 2 9 VA94 ,GD-
BYE1 & 2 BRAVE1 = IF Y W D :AT ,I H TOLD Y
RE/ ASSUR$ T WE % SOON DRIVE AWAY ! DANG]S
T ?R1T5 Y40
  ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES & ,I _H NO DI6ICULTY 9
5GAG+ A B$ROOM & SITT+-ROOM AT ! ,CR[N
,9N4 ,!Y 7 ON ! UPP] FLOOR1 & F \R W9D[ WE
CD -M& A VIEW (! AV5UE GATE1 &(! 9HABIT$
W+ ( ,/OKE ,MORAN ,MANOR ,H\SE4 ,AT DUSK
WE SAW ,DR4 ,GRIMESBY ,ROYLOTT DRIVE PA/1
8 HUGE =M LOOM+ UP 2S ! LL FIGURE (! LAD
:O DROVE HM4 ,! BOY _H "S SLI<T DI6ICULTY
9 UNDO+ ! H1VY IRON GATES1 & WE HE>D !
HO>SE RO> (! DOCTOR'S VOICE & SAW ! FURY )
: HE %OOK 8 CL9*$ FI/S AT HM4 ,! TRAP
DROVE ON1 &A FEW M9UTES LAT] WE SAW A SU45
LI<T SPR+ UP AM;G ! TREES Z ! LAMP 0 LIT 9
"O (! SITT+-ROOMS4
  8,D Y "K1 ,WATSON10 SD ,HOLMES Z WE SAT
TGR 9 ! GA!R+ D>K;S1 8,I H RE,Y "S
SCRUPLES Z 6TAK+ Y TO-NI<T4 ,"! IS A 4T9CTELE;T ( DANG]40                        #CE
  8,C ,I 2 ( ASSI/.E80
  8,YR PRES;E MI<T 2 9VALUA#40
  8,!N ,I % C]TA9LY -E40
  8,X IS V K9D ( Y40
  8,Y SP1K ( DANG]4 ,Y H EVID5TLY SE5 M 9
^! ROOMS ?AN 0 VISI# 6ME40
  8,NO1 B ,I FANCY T ,I MAY H DEDUC$ A LL
M4 ,I IMAG9E T Y SAW ALL T ,I DID40
  8,I SAW NO?+ REM>KA# SAVE ! BELL-ROPE1 &
:AT PURPOSE T CD ANSW] ,I 3FESS IS M ?AN
,I C IMAG9E40
  8,Y SAW ! V5TILATOR1 TOO80
  8,YES1 B ,I D N ?9K T X IS S* A V
UNUSUAL ?+ 6H A SMALL OP5+ 2T TWO ROOMS4
,X 0 S SMALL T A RAT CD H>DLY PASS "?40
  8,I KNEW T WE %D F9D A V5TILATOR 2F "E
WE CAME 6,/OKE ,MORAN40
  8,MY DE> ,HOLMES60
  8,OH1 YES1 ,I DID4 ,Y REMEMB] 9 H]
/ATE;T %E SD T H] SI/] CD SMELL ,DR4
,ROYLOTT'S CIG>4 ,N[1 ( C\RSE T SU7E/$ AT
ONCE T "! M/ 2 A -MUNIC,N 2T ! TWO ROOMS4
,X CD ONLY 2 A SMALL "O1 OR WD H BE5
REM>K$ ^U AT ! CORON]'S 9QUIRY4 ,I DEDUC$A V5TILATOR40                          #CF
  8,B :AT H>M C "! 2 9 T80
  8,WELL1 "! IS AT L1/ A CURI\S CO9CID;E (
DATES4 ,A V5TILATOR IS MADE1 A CORD IS
HUNG1 &A LADY :O SLEEPS 9 ! B$ DIES4 ,DOES
N T /RIKE Y80
  8,I _C Z YET SEE ANY 3NEC;N40
  8,DID Y OBS]VE ANY?+ V PECULI> AB T B$80
  8,NO40
  8,X 0 CLAMP$ 6! FLOOR4 ,DID Y "E SEE A
B$ FA/5$ L T 2F80
  8,I _C SAY T ,I H40
  8,! LADY CD N MOVE H] B$4 ,X M/ ALW 2 9
! SAME RELATIVE POSI;N 6! V5TILATOR & 6!
ROPE-OR S WE MAY CALL X1 S9CE X 0 CLE>LY
N"E M1NT =A BELL-PULL40
  8,HOLMES10 ,I CRI$1 8,I SEEM 6SEE DIMLY
:AT Y >E H9T+ AT4 ,WE >E ONLY J 9 "T
6PREV5T "S SUBTLE & HORRI# CRIME40
  8,SUBTLE 5 & HORRI# 5\<4 ,:5 A DOCTOR
DOES G WR;G HE IS ! F/ ( CRIM9ALS4 ,HE HAS
N]VE & HE HAS K4 ,PALM] & ,PRIT*>D 7 AM;G
! H1DS ( _! PROFES.N4 ,? MAN /RIKES EV5
DEEP]1 B ,I ?9K1 ,WATSON1 T WE % 2 A#
6/RIKE DEEP] /4 ,B WE % H HORRORS 5 2F !NI<T IS OV]2 = GD;S' SAKE LET U H A    #CG
QUIET PIPE & TURN \R M9DS =A FEW H\RS
6"S?+ M *E];L40
  ,AB N9E O'C ! LI<T AM;G ! TREES 0
EXT+UI%$1 & ALL 0 D>K 9 ! DIREC;N (!
,MANOR ,H\SE4 ,TWO H\RS PASS$ SL[LY AWAY1
& !N1 SU45LY1 J AT ! /ROKE ( ELEV51 A S+LE
B"R LI<T %"O \ "R 9 FRONT ( U4
  8,T IS \R SIGNAL10 SD ,HOLMES1 SPR++
6HIS FEET2 8X -ES F ! MI4LE W9D[40
  ,Z WE PASS$ \ HE EX*ANG$ A FEW ^WS )!
L&"L1 EXPLA9+ T WE 7 GO+ ON A LATE VISIT
6AN ACQUA9T.E1 & T X 0 POSSI# T WE MI<T
SP5D ! NI<T "!4 ,A MO;T LAT] WE 7 \ ON !
D>K ROAD1 A *ILL W9D BL[+ 9 \R FACES1 & "O
YELL[ LI<T TW9KL+ 9 FRONT ( U "? ! GLOOM
6GUIDE U ON \R SOMBRE ]R&4
  ,"! 0 LL DI6ICULTY 9 5T]+ ! GR.DS1 =
UNREPAIR$ BR1*ES GAP$ 9 ! OLD P>K WALL4
,MAK+ \R WAY AM;G ! TREES1 WE R1*$ ! LAWN1
CROSS$ X1 & 7 AB 65T] "? ! W9D[ :5 \ F A
CLUMP ( LAUREL BU%ES "! D>T$ :AT SEEM$ 6BE
A HIDE\S & 4TORT$ *1 :O ?REW XF ^U ! GRASS
) WRI?+ LIMBS & !N RAN SWIFTLY ACR ! LAWN
96! D>K;S4  8,MY ,GOD60 ,I :ISP]$2 8DID Y SEE    #CH
X80
  ,HOLMES 0 =! MO;T Z />TL$ Z ,I4 ,8 H&
CLOS$ L A VISE ^U MY WRI/ 9 8 AGIT,N4 ,!N
HE BROKE 96A L[ LAU< & PUT 8 LIPS 6MY E>4
  8,X IS A NICE H\SEHOLD10 HE MURMUR$4 8,T
IS ! BABOON40
  ,I _H =GOTT5 ! /RANGE PETS : ! DOCTOR
A6ECT$4 ,"! 0 A *EETAH1 TOO2 P]H WE MI<T
F9D X ^U \R %\LD]S AT ANY MO;T4 ,I 3FESS T
,I FELT EASI] 9 MY M9D :51 AF FOLL[+
,HOLMES'S EXAMPLE & SLIPP+ (F MY %OES1 ,I
F.D MYF 9SIDE ! B$ROOM4 ,MY -PANION
NOISE.SLY CLOS$ ! %UTT]S1 MOV$ ! LAMP ONTO
! TA#1 & CA/ 8 EYES R.D ! ROOM4 ,ALL 0 Z
WE _H SE5 X 9 ! "D"T4 ,!N CREEP+ UP 6ME &
MAK+ A TRUMPET ( 8 H&1 HE :ISP]$ 96MY E>
AG S G5TLY T X 0 ALL T ,I CD D 64T+UI% !
^WS3
  8,! L1/ S.D WD 2 FATAL 6\R PLANS40
  ,I NO4$ 6%[ T ,I _H HE>D4
  8,WE M/ SIT )\T LI<T4 ,HE WD SEE X "? !
V5TILATOR40
  ,I NO4$ AG4
  8,D N G ASLEEP1 YR V LIFE MAY DEP5D ^UX4 ,H YR PI/OL R1DY 9 CASE WE %D NE$   #CI
X4 ,I W SIT ON ! SIDE (! B$1 & Y 9 T
*AIR40
  ,I TOOK \ MY REVOLV] & LAID X ON ! CORN]
(! TA#4
  ,HOLMES _H BR"\ UP A L;G ?9 CANE1 & ? HE
PLAC$ ^U ! B$ 2S HM4 ,0X HE LAID ! BOX (
MAT*ES &! /UMP (A C&LE4 ,!N HE TURN$ D[N !
LAMP1 & WE 7 LEFT 9 D>K;S4
  ,H[ % ,I "E =GET T DR1D;L VIGIL8 ,I CD N
HE> A S.D1 N EV5 ! DRAW+ (A BR1?1 & YET ,I
KNEW T MY -PANION SAT OP5-EY$1 )9 A FEW
FEET ( ME1 9 ! SAME /ATE ( N]V\S T5.N 9 :
,I 0 MYF4 ,! %UTT]S CUT (F ! L1/ RAY (
LI<T & WE WAIT$ 9 ABSOLUTE D>K;S4 ,F
\TSIDE CAME ! O3A.NAL CRY (A NI<T-BIRD1 &
ONCE AT \R V W9D[ A L;G DRAWN CATLIKE :9E1
: TOLD U T ! *EETAH 0 9DE$ AT LIB]TY4 ,F>
AWAY WE CD HE> ! DEEP T"OS (! P>I% CLOCK1
: BOOM$ \ E QU>T] ( AN H\R4 ,H[ L;G !Y
SEEM$1 ^? QU>T]S6 ,TWELVE /RUCK1 & "O &
TWO & ?REE1 & / WE SAT WAIT+ SIL5TLY =
:AT"E MI<T 2FALL4
  ,SU45LY "! 0 ! MO;T>Y GL1M (A LI<T UP 9
! DIREC;N (! V5TILATOR1 : VANI%$ IMMLY1 B0 SU3E$$ 0A /R;G SMELL ( BURN+ OIL &   #DJ
H1T$ METAL4 ,"S"O 9 ! NEXT ROOM _H LIT A
D>K-LANT54 ,I HE>D A G5TLE S.D ( MOVE;T1 &
!N ALL 0 SIL5T ONCE M1 ?\< ! SMELL GREW
/R;G]4 ,= HALF AN H\R ,I SAT ) /RA9+ E>S4
,!N SU45LY ANO!R S.D 2CAME AUDI#-A V
G5TLE1 SOO?+ S.D1 L T (A SMALL JET ( /1M
ESCAP+ 3T9U,Y F A KETTLE4 ,! 9/ANT T WE
HE>D X1 ,HOLMES SPRANG F ! B$1 /RUCK A
MAT*1 & LA%$ FURI\SLY ) 8 CANE AT ! BELL-
PULL4
  8,Y SEE X1 ,WATSON80 HE YELL$4 8,Y SEE
X80
  ,B ,I SAW NO?+4 ,AT ! MO;T :5 ,HOLMES
/RUCK ! LI<T ,I HE>D A L[1 CLE> :I/LE1 B !
SU45 GL>E FLA%+ 96MY WE>Y EYES MADE X
IMPOSSI# = ME 6TELL :AT X 0 AT : MY FR
LA%$ S SAVAGELY4 ,I CD1 H["E1 SEE T 8 FACE
0 D1DLY PALE & FILL$ ) HORROR & LOA?+4
  ,HE _H C1S$ 6/RIKE & 0 GAZ+ UP AT !
V5TILATOR :5 SU45LY "! BROKE F ! SIL;E (!
NI<T ! MO/ HORRI# CRY 6: ,I H "E LI/5$4 ,X
SWELL$ UP L\D] & L\D]1 A HO>SE YELL ( PA9
& FE> & ANG] ALL M+L$ 9 ! "O DR1D;L %RIEK4
,!Y SAY T AWAY D[N 9 ! VILLAGE1 & EV5 9 !4TANT P>SONAGE1 T CRY RAIS$ !          #DA
SLEEP]S F _! B$S4 ,X /RUCK COLD 6\R HE>TS1
& ,I /OOD GAZ+ AT ,HOLMES1 & HE AT ME1
UNTIL ! LA/ E*OES ( X _H DI$ AWAY 96!
SIL;E F : X ROSE4
  8,:AT C X M1N80 ,I GASP$4
  8,X M1NS T X IS ALL OV]10 ,HOLMES
ANSW]$4 8,& P]H1 AF ALL1 X IS =! BE/4
,TAKE YR PI/OL1 & WE W 5T] ,DR4 ,ROYLOTT'S
ROOM40
  ,)A GRAVE FACE HE LIT ! LAMP & L$ ! WAY
D[N ! CORRIDOR4 ,TWICE HE /RUCK AT ! *AMB]
DOOR )\T ANY REPLY F )94 ,!N HE TURN$ !
H&LE & 5T]$1 ,I AT 8 HEELS1 )! COCK$ PI/OL
9 MY H&4
  ,X 0 A S+UL> SI<T : MET \R EYES4 ,ON !
TA# /OOD A D>K-LANT]N )! %UTT] HALF OP51
?R[+ A BRILLIANT B1M ( LI<T ^U ! IRON
SAFE1 ! DOOR ( : 0 AJ>4 ,2S ? TA#1 ON !
WOOD5 *AIR1 SAT ,DR4 ,GRIMESBY ,ROYLOTT1
CLAD 9 A L;G GRAY DRESS+-G[N1 8 B>E ANKLES
PROTRUD+ 2N1 & 8 FEET ?RU/ 96R$ HEEL.S
,TURKI% SLIPP]S4 ,ACR 8 LAP LAY ! %ORT
/OCK )! L;G LA% : WE _H NOTIC$ DUR+ ! "D4
,8 *9 0 COCK$ UPW>D & 8 EYES 7 FIX$ 9 ADR1D;L1 RIGID />E AT ! CORN] (!        #DB
CEIL+4 ,R.D 8 BR[ HE _H A PECULI> YELL[
B&1 ) BR[NI% SPECKLES1 : SEEM$ 6BE B.D
TI<TLY R.D 8 H1D4 ,Z WE 5T]$ HE MADE NEI
S.D NOR MO;N4
  8,! B&6 ,! SPECKL$ B&60 :ISP]$ ,HOLMES4
  ,I TOOK A /EP =W>D4 ,9 AN 9/ANT 8 /RANGE
H1DGE> 2GAN 6MOVE1 & "! RE>$ XF F AM;G 8
HAIR ! SQUAT DIAMOND-%AP$ H1D & PU6$ NECK
(A LOA?"S S]P5T4
  8,X IS A SWAMP A4]60 CRI$ ,HOLMES2 8!
D1DLIE/ SNAKE 9 ,9DIA4 ,HE HAS DI$ )9 T5
SECONDS ( 2+ BITT54 ,VIOL;E DOES1 9 TRU?1
RECOIL ^U ! VIOL5T &! S*EM] FALLS 96! PIT
: HE DIGS = ANO!R4 ,LET U ?RU/ ? CR1TURE
BACK 96XS D51 & WE C !N REMOVE ,MISS ,/ON]
6"S PLACE ( %ELT] & LET ! C.TY POLICE "K
:AT HAS HAPP5$40
  ,Z HE SPOKE HE DREW ! DOG-:IP SWIFTLY F
! D1D MAN'S LAP1 & ?R[+ ! NOOSE R.D !
REPTILE'S NECK HE DREW X F XS HORRID P]*
&1 C>RY+ X AT >M'S L5G?1 ?REW X 96! IRON
SAFE1 : HE CLOS$ ^U X4
  ,S* >E ! TRUE FACTS (! D1? ( ,DR4
,GRIMESBY ,ROYLOTT1 ( ,/OKE ,MORAN4 ,X ISN NEC T ,I %D PROL;G A N>RATIVE :      #DC
HAS ALR RUN 6TOO GRT A L5G? 0TELL+ H[ WE
BROKE ! SAD NEWS 6! T]RIFI$ GIRL1 H[ WE
3VEY$ H] 0! MORN+ TRA9 6! C>E ( H] GD AUNT
AT ,H>R[1 ( H[ ! SL[ PROCESS ( (FICIAL
9QUIRY CAME 6! 3CLU.N T ! DOCTOR MET 8
FATE :ILE 9DISCREETLY PLAY+ )A DANG]\S
PET4 ,! LL : ,I _H YET 6LE>N (! CASE 0
TOLD ME 0,%]LOCK ,HOLMES Z WE TRAVELL$
BACK NEXT "D4
  8,I _H10 SD HE1 8-E 6AN 5TIRELY ]RONE\S
3CLU.N : %[S1 MY DE> ,WATSON1 H[ DANG]\S X
ALW IS 6R1SON F 9SU6ICI5T DATA4 ,! PRES;E
(! GYPSIES1 &! USE (! ^W ,8B&10' : 0 US$
0! POOR GIRL1 NO D\BT 6EXPLA9 ! APPE>.E :
%E _H CAU<T A HURRI$ GLIMPSE ( 0! LI<T (
H] MAT*1 7 SU6ICI5T 6PUT ME ^U AN 5TIRELY
WR;G SC5T4 ,I C ONLY CLAIM ! M]IT T ,I
9/ANTLY RECONSID]$ MY POSI;N :51 H["E1 X
2CAME CLE> 6ME T :AT"E DANG] ?R1T5$ AN
O3UPANT (! ROOM CD N -E EI F ! W9D[ OR !
DOOR4 ,MY ATT5;N 0 SPE$ILY DRAWN1 Z ,I H
ALR REM>K$ 6Y1 6? V5TILATOR1 & 6! BELL-
ROPE : HUNG D[N 6! B$4 ,! 4COV]Y T ? 0 A
DUMMY1 & T ! B$ 0 CLAMP$ 6! FLOOR1 9/ANTLYGAVE RISE 6! SUSPICION T ! ROPE 0 "!   #DD
Z A BRIDGE = "S?+ PASS+ "? ! HOLE & -+ 6!
B$4 ,! IDEA (A SNAKE 9/ANTLY O3URR$ 6ME1 &
:5 ,I C\PL$ X ) MY K T ! DOCTOR 0 FURNI%$
)A SUPPLY ( CR1TURES F ,9DIA1 ,I FELT T ,I
0 PROBABLY ON ! "R TRACK4 ,! IDEA ( US+ A
=M ( POISON : CD N POSSIBLY 2 4COV]$ 0ANY
*EMICAL TE/ 0 J S* A "O Z WD O3UR 6A CL"E
& RU?.S MAN :O _H _H AN ,EA/]N TRA9+4 ,!
RAPID;Y ) : S* A POISON WD TAKE E6ECT WD
AL1 F 8 PO9T ( VIEW1 2 AN ADVANTAGE4 ,X WD
2 A %>P-EY$ CORON]1 9DE$1 :O CD 4T+UI% !
TWO LL D>K PUNCTURES : WD %[ ": ! POISON
FANGS _H D"O _! "W4 ,!N ,I ?"\ (! :I/LE4
,( C\RSE HE M/ RECALL ! SNAKE 2F ! MORN+
LI<T REV1L$ X 6! VICTIM4 ,HE _H TRA9$ X1
PROBABLY 0! USE (! MILK : WE SAW1 6RETURN
6HM :5 SUMMON$4 ,HE WD PUT X "? ?
V5TILATOR AT ! H\R T HE ?"\ BE/1 )!
C]TA9TY T X WD CRAWL D[N ! ROPE & L& ON !
B$4 ,X MI<T OR MI<T N BITE ! O3UPANT1 P]H
%E MI<T ESCAPE E NI<T =A WEEK1 B SOON] OR
LAT] %E M/ FALL A VICTIM4
  8,I _H -E 6^! 3CLU.NS 2F "E ,I _H 5T]$ 8
ROOM4 ,AN 9SPEC;N ( 8 *AIR %[$ ME T HE _HBE5 9 ! HABIT ( /&+ ON X1 : ( C\RSE    #DE
WD 2 NEC 9 ORD] T HE %D R1* ! V5TILATOR4
,! SI<T (! SAFE1 ! SAUC] ( MILK1 &! LOOP (
:IPCORD 7 5 6F9,Y 4PEL ANY D\BTS : MAY H
REMA9$4 ,! METALLIC CLANG HE>D 0,MISS
,/ON] 0 OBVI\SLY CAUS$ 0H] /EP"F HA/ILY
CLOS+ ! DOOR ( 8 SAFE ^U XS T]RI# O3UPANT4
,HAV+ ONCE MADE UP MY M9D1 Y "K ! /EPS :
,I TOOK 9 ORD] 6PUT ! MATT] 6! PRO(4 ,I
HE>D ! CR1TURE HISS Z ,I H NO D\BT T Y DID
AL1 & ,I 9/ANTLY LIT ! LI<T & ATTACK$ X40
  8,)! RESULT ( DRIV+ X "? ! V5TILATOR40
  8,& AL )! RESULT ( CAUS+ X 6TURN ^U XS
MA/] AT ! O!R SIDE4 ,"S (! BL[S ( MY CANE
CAME HOME & R\S$ XS SNAKI% TEMP]1 S T X
FLEW ^U ! F/ P]SON X SAW4 ,9 ? WAY ,I AM
NO D\BT 9DIRECTLY RESPONSI# = ,DR4
,GRIMESBY ,ROYLOTT'S D1?1 & ,I _C SAY T X
IS LIKELY 6WEI< V H1VILY ^U MY 3SCI;E40