                  #AHIC                 #A
            ,,%]LOCK ,,HOLMES
            ,,! ,,YELL[ ,,FACE
        0,SIR ,>?UR ,CONAN ,DOYLE

  ,7,IN PUBLI%+ ^! %ORT SKET*ES BAS$ ^U !
NUM]\S CASES 9 : MY -PANION'S S+UL> GIFTS
H MADE U ! LI/5]S TO1 & EV5TU,Y ! ACTORS
IN1 "S /RANGE DRAMA1 X IS ONLY NATURAL T
,I %D DWELL R ^U 8 SU3ESSES ?AN ^U 8
FAILURES4 ,& ? N S M* =! SAKE ( 8 REPUT,N-
=1 9DE$1 X 0 :5 HE 0 AT 8 WIT'S 5D T 8
5]GY & 8 V]SATIL;Y 7 MO/ ADMIRA#-B 2C ":
HE FAIL$ X HAPP5$ TOO (T5 T NO "O ELSE
SU3E$$1 & T ! TALE 0 LEFT ="E )\T A
3CLU.N4 ,N[ & AG1 H["E1 X *.ED T EV5 :5 HE
]R$ ! TRU? 0 / 4COV]$4 ,I H NOT$ ( "S
HALF-DOZ5 CASES (! K9D2 ! ADV5TURE (!
,MUSGRAVE ,RITUAL & T : ,I AM AB 6REC.T >E
! TWO : PRES5T ! /R;GE/ F1TURES ( 9T]E/47'
  ,%]LOCK ,HOLMES 0 A MAN :O SELDOM TOOK
EX]CISE = EX]CISE'S SAKE4 ,FEW M5 7 CAPA#
( GRT] MUSCUL> EF=T1 & HE 0 UND\BT$LY "O (
! F9E/ BOX]S ( 8 WEI<T T ,I H "E SE52 B HE
LOOK$ ^U AIM.S BODILY EX];N Z A WA/E (5]GY1 & HE SELDOM 2/IRR$ HMF SAVE ":    #B
"! 0 "S PROFES.NAL OBJECT 6BE S]V$4 ,!N HE
0 ABSOLUTELY UNTIR+ & 9DEFATIGA#4 ,T HE %D
H KEPT HMF 9 TRA9+ "U S* CIRCUM/.ES IS
REM>KA#1 B 8 DIET 0 USU,Y (! SP>E/1 & 8
HABITS 7 SIMPLE 6! V]GE ( AU/];Y4 ,SAVE =!
O3A.NAL USE ( COCA9E1 HE _H NO VICES1 & HE
ONLY TURN$ 6! DRUG Z A PROTE/ AG/ !
MONOTONY ( EXI/;E :5 CASES 7 SCANTY &!
PAP]S UN9T]E/+4
  ,"O "D 9 E>LY SPR+ HE _H S F> RELAX$ Z
6G =A WALK ) ME 9 ! ,P>K1 ": ! F/ FA9T
%OOTS ( GRE5 7 BR1K+ \ ^U ! ELMS1 &! /ICKY
SPE>-H1DS (! *E/NUTS 7 J 2G9N+ 6BUR/ 96_!
FIVEFOLD L1VES4 ,= TWO H\RS WE RAM#D AB
TGR1 9 SIL;E =! MO/ "P1 Z 2FITS TWO M5 :O
"K EA* O!R 9TIMATELY4 ,X 0 NE>LY FIVE 2F
WE 7 BACK 9 ,BAK] ,/REET ONCE M4
  8,BEG P>DON1 SIR10 SD \R PAGE-BOY Z HE
OP5$ ! DOOR4 8,"!'S BE5 A G5TLEMAN "H ASK+
= Y1 SIR40
  ,HOLMES GL.ED REPROA*;LLY AT ME4 8,S M*
= AFN WALKS60 SD HE4
  8,HAS ? G5TLEMAN G"O1 !N80
  8,YES1 SIR40  8,DIDN'T Y ASK HM IN80                #C
  8,YES1 SIR1 HE CAME IN40
  8,H[ L;G DID HE WAIT80
  8,HALF AN H\R1 SIR4 ,HE 0 A V RE/.S
G5TLEMAN1 SIR1 A-WALK9' & A-/AMP9' ALL !
"T HE 0 "H4 ,I 0 WAIT9' \TSIDE ! DOOR1
SIR1 & ,I CD HE> HM4 ,AT LA/ HE \TS 96!
PASSAGE1 & HE CRIES1 ,8,IS T MAN N"E GO9'
6-E80' ,^? 7 8 V ^WS1 SIR4 ,8,Y'LL ONLY
NE$ 6WAIT A LL L;G]10' SAYS ,I4 ,8,!N
,I'LL WAIT 9 ! OP5 AIR1 = ,I FEEL HALF
*OK$10' SAYS HE4 ,8,I'LL 2 BACK 2F L;G40'
,&) T HE UPS & HE \TS1 & ALL ,I CD SAY
WDN'T HOLD HM BACK40
  8,WELL1 WELL1 Y DID YR BE/10 SD ,HOLMES
Z WE WALK$ 96\R ROOM4 8,X'S V ANNOY+1 ?\<1
,WATSON4 ,I 0 BADLY 9 NE$ (A CASE1 & ?
LOOKS1 F ! MAN'S IMPATI;E1 Z IF X 7 (
IMPORT.E4 ,HULLO6 T'S N YR PIPE ON ! TA#4
,HE M/ H LEFT 8 2H HM4 ,A NICE OLD BRI] )A
GD L;G /EM ( :AT ! TOBA3ONI/S CALL AMB]4
,I WOND] H[ _M R1L AMB] M\?PIECES "! >E 9
,LONDON8 ,"S P ?9K T A FLY 9 X IS A SIGN4
,WELL1 HE M/ H BE5 4TURB$ 9 8 M9D 6L1VE A
PIPE 2H HM : HE EVID5TLY VALUES HI<LY40  8,H[ D Y "K T HE VALUES X HI<LY80     #D
,I ASK$4
  8,WELL1 ,I %D PUT ! ORIG9AL CO/ (! PIPE
AT SEV5 & SIXP;E4 ,N[ X HAS1 Y SEE1 BE5
TWICE M5D$1 ONCE 9 ! WOOD5 /EM & ONCE 9 !
AMB]4 ,EA* ( ^! M5DS1 D"O1 Z Y OBS]VE1 )
SILV] B&S1 M/ H CO/ M ?AN ! PIPE DID
ORIG9,Y4 ,! MAN M/ VALUE ! PIPE HI<LY :5
HE PREF]S 6PAT* X UP R ?AN BUY A NEW "O )!
SAME M"OY40
  8,ANY?+ ELSE80 ,I ASK$1 = ,HOLMES 0
TURN+ ! PIPE AB 9 8 H& & />+ AT X 9 8
PECULI> P5SIVE WAY4
  ,HE HELD X UP & TAPP$ ON X ) 8 L;G1 ?9
=EF+]1 Z A PROFESSOR MI<T :O 0 LECTUR+ ON
A B"O4
  8,PIPES >E O3A.N,Y ( EXTRAORD9>Y 9T]E/10
SD HE4 8,NO?+ HAS M 9DIVIDUAL;Y1 SAVE P]H
WAT*ES & BOOTLACES4 ,! 9DIC,NS "H1 H["E1
>E NEI V M>K$ NOR V IMPORTANT4 ,! [N] IS
OBVI\SLY A MUSCUL> MAN1 LEFT-H&$1 ) AN
EXCELL5T SET ( TEE?1 C>E.S 9 8 HABITS1 &)
NO NE$ 6PRACTISE ECONOMY40
  ,MY FR ?REW \ ! 9=M,N 9 A V (FH& WAY1 B
,I SAW T HE COCK$ 8 EYE AT ME 6SEE IF ,I_H FOLL[$ 8 R1SON+4                     #E
  8,Y ?9K A MAN M/ 2 WELL-TO-D IF HE
SMOKES A SEV5-%ILL+ PIPE80 SD ,I4
  8,? IS ,GROSV5OR MIXTURE AT EI<TP;E AN
\NCE10 ,HOLMES ANSW]$1 KNOCK+ A LL \ ON 8
PALM4 8,Z HE MI<T GET AN EXCELL5T SMOKE =
HALF ! PRICE1 HE HAS NO NE$ 6PRACTISE
ECONOMY40
  8,&! O!R PO9TS80
  8,HE HAS BE5 9 ! HABIT ( LI<T+ 8 PIPE AT
LAMPS & GAS-JETS4 ,Y C SEE T X IS Q *>R$
ALL D[N "O SIDE4 ,( C\RSE A MAT* CD N H
D"O T4 ,:Y %D A MAN HOLD A MAT* 6! SIDE (
8 PIPE8 ,B Y _C LI<T X AT A LAMP )\T GETT+
! B[L *>R$4 ,& X IS ALL ON ! "R SIDE (!
PIPE4 ,F T ,I GA!R T HE IS A LEFT-H&$ MAN4
,Y HOLD YR [N ,PIPE 6! LAMP & SEE H[
NATUR,Y Y1 2+ "R-H&$1 HOLD ! LEFT SIDE 6!
FLAME4 ,Y MI<T D X ONCE ! O!R WAY1 B N Z A
3/ANCY4 ,? HAS ALW BE5 HELD S4 ,!N HE HAS
BITT5 "? 8 AMB]4 ,X TAKES A MUSCUL>1
5]GETIC FELL[1 & "O )A GD SET ( TEE?1 6D
T4 ,B IF ,I AM N MISTAK5 ,I HE> HM ^U !
/AIR1 S WE % H "S?+ M 9T]E/+ ?AN 8 PIPE
6/UDY40  ,AN 9/ANT LAT] \R DOOR OP5$1 &A       #F
TALL "Y MAN 5T]$ ! ROOM4 ,HE 0 WELL B
QUIETLY DRESS$ 9 A D>K GRAY SUIT & C>RI$ A
BR[N WIDE AWAKE 9 8 H&4 ,I %D H PUT HM AT
AB ?IRTY1 ?\< HE 0 RE,Y "S YE>S OLD]4
  8,I BEG YR P>DON10 SD HE ) "S
EMB>RASS;T1 8,I SUPPOSE ,I %D H KNOCK$4
,YES1 ( C\RSE ,I %D H KNOCK$4 ,! FACT IS T
,I AM A LL UPSET1 & Y M/ PUT X ALL D[N
6T40 ,HE PASS$ 8 H& OV] 8 =EH1D L A MAN :O
IS HALF DAZ$1 & !N FELL R ?AN SAT D[N ^U A
*AIR4
  8,I C SEE T Y H N SLEPT =A NI<T OR TWO10
SD ,HOLMES 9 8 EASY1 G5IAL WAY4 8,T TRIES
A MAN'S N]VES M ?AN "W1 & M EV5 ?AN
PL1SURE4 ,MAY ,I ASK H[ ,I C HELP Y80
  8,I WANT$ YR ADVICE1 SIR4 ,I DON'T "K
:AT 6D1 & MY :OLE LIFE SEEMS 6H G"O
6PIECES40
  8,Y WI% 6EMPLOY ME Z A 3SULT+
DETECTIVE80
  ,N T ONLY4 ,I WANT YR OP9ION Z A
JUDICI\S MAN-Z A MAN (! _W4 ,I WANT 6"K
:AT ,I "\ 6D NEXT4 ,I HOPE 6,GOD Y'LL 2 A#
6TELL ME40  ,HE SPOKE 9 LL1 %>P1 J]KY \TBUR/S1    #G
& X SEEM$ 6ME T 6SP1K AT ALL 0 V PA9;L
6HM1 & T 8 W ALL "? 0 OV]RID+ 8 9CL9,NS4
  8,X'S A V DELICATE ?+10 SD HE4 8,"O DOES
N L 6SP1K ( "O'S DOME/IC A6AIRS 6/RANG]S4
,X SEEMS DR1D;L 64CUSS ! 3DUCT ( "O'S WIFE
) TWO M5 :OM ,I H N"E SE5 2F4 ,X'S HORRI#
6H 6D X4 ,B ,I'VE GOT 6! 5D ( MY TE!R1 &
,I M/ H ADVICE40
  8,MY DE> ,MR4 ,GRANT ,MUNRO--0 2GAN
,HOLMES4
  ,\R VISITOR SPRANG F 8 *AIR4 8,:AT60 HE
CRI$1 8Y "K MY "N80
  8,IF Y WI% 6PRES]VE YR 9COGNITO10 SD
,HOLMES1 SMIL+1 8,I WD SU7E/ T Y C1SE
6WRITE YR "N ^U ! L9+ ( YR HAT1 OR ELSE T
Y TURN ! CR[N T[>DS ! P]SON :OM Y >E
A4RESS+4 ,I 0 AB 6SAY T MY FR & ,I H LI/5$
6A GD _M /RANGE SECRETS 9 ? ROOM1 & T WE H
_H ! GD =TUNE 6BR+ P1CE 6_M TR\#D S\LS4 ,I
TRU/ T WE MAY D Z M* = Y4 ,MI<T ,I BEG Y1
Z "T MAY PROVE 6BE ( IMPORT.E1 6FURNI% ME
)! FACTS ( YR CASE )\T FUR!R DELAY80
  ,\R VISITOR AG PASS$ 8 H& OV] 8 =EH1D1 Z
IF HE F.D X BITT]LY H>D4 ,F E GE/URE &EXPRES.N ,I CD SEE T HE 0 A RES]V$      #H
SELFCONTA9$ MAN1 )A DA% ( PRIDE 9 8
NATURE1 M LIKELY 6HIDE 8 W.DS ?AN 6EXPOSE
!M4 ,!N SU45LY1 )A FI]CE GE/URE ( 8 CLOS$
H&1 L "O :O ?R[S RES]VE 6! W9DS1 HE 2GAN3
  8,! FACTS >E ^!1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES10 SD HE4
8,I AM A M>RI$ MAN & H BE5 S = ?REE YE>S4
,DUR+ T "T MY WIFE & ,I H LOV$ EA* O!R Z
FONDLY & LIV$ Z HAPPILY Z ANY TWO T "E 7
JO9$4 ,WE H N _H A DI6];E1 N "O1 9 ?"\ OR
^W OR DE$4 ,& N[1 S9CE LA/ ,MON"D1 "! HAS
SU45LY SPRUNG UP A B>RI] 2T U1 & ,I F9D T
"! IS "S?+ 9 H] LIFE & 9 H] ?"\S ( : ,I "K
Z LL Z IF %E 7 ! WOMAN :O BRU%ES 0ME 9 !
/REET4 ,WE >E E/RANG$1 & ,I WANT 6"K :Y4
  8,N[ "! IS "O ?+ T ,I WANT 6IMPRESS ^U Y
2F ,I G ANY FUR!R1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES4 ,E6IE
LOVES ME4 ,DON'T LET "! 2 ANY MISTAKE AB
T4 ,%E LOVES ME ) H] :OLE HE>T & S\L1 &
N"E M ?AN N[4 ,I "K X4 ,I FEEL X4 ,I DON'T
WANT 6>GUE AB T4 ,A MAN C TELL EASILY 5 :5
A WOMAN LOVES HM4 ,B "!'S ? SECRET 2T U1 &
WE C N"E 2 ! SAME UNTIL X IS CLE>$40
  8,K9DLY LET ME H ! FACTS1 ,MR4 ,MUNRO10
SD ,HOLMES ) "S IMPATI;E4  8,I'LL TELL Y :AT ,I "K AB ,E6IE'S    #I
HI/ORY4 ,%E 0 A WID[ :5 ,I MET H] F/1 ?\<
Q "Y-ONLY TW5TY-FIVE4 ,H] "N !N 0 ,MRS4
,HEBRON4 ,%E W5T \ 6,AM]ICA :5 %E 0 "Y &
LIV$ 9 ! T[N ( ,ATLANTA1 ": %E M>RI$ ?
,HEBRON1 :O 0 A LAWY] )A GD PRACTICE4 ,!Y
_H "O *1 B ! YELL[ FEV] BROKE \ BADLY 9 !
PLACE1 & BO? HUSB& & * DI$ ( X4 ,I H SE5 8
D1? C]TIFICATE4 ,? SICK5$ H] ( ,AM]ICA1 &
%E CAME BACK 6LIVE )A MAID5 AUNT AT ,P9N]1
9 ,MI4LESEX4 ,I MAY M5;N T H] HUSB& _H
LEFT H] -=TABLY (F1 & T %E _H A CAPITAL (
AB F\R ?\S& FIVE HUNDR$ P.DS1 : _H BE5 S
WELL 9VE/$ 0HM T X RETURN$ AN AV]AGE (
SEV5 P] C5T4 ,%E _H ONLY BE5 SIX MON?S AT
,P9N] :5 ,I MET H]2 WE FELL 9 LOVE ) EA*
O!R1 & WE M>RI$ A FEW WEEKS AFWS4
  8,I AM A HOP M]*ANT MYF1 & Z ,I H AN
9COME ( SEV5 OR EI<T HUNDR$1 WE F.D \RVS
-=TABLY (F & TOOK A NICE EI<TY-P.D-A-YE>
VILLA AT ,NORBURY4 ,\R LL PLACE 0 V
C.TRIFI$1 3SID]+ T X IS S CLOSE 6T[N4 ,WE
_H AN 9N & TWO H\SES A LL ABV U1 &A S+LE
COTTAGE AT ! O!R SIDE (! FIELD : FACES U1
& EXCEPT ^? "! 7 NO H\SES UNTIL Y GOTHALFWAY 6! /,N4 ,MY BUSI;S TOOK ME     #AJ
96T[N AT C]TA9 S1SONS1 B 9 SUMM] ,I _H
LESS 6D1 & !N 9 \R C.TRY HOME MY WIFE & ,I
7 J Z HAPPY Z CD 2 WI%$4 ,I TELL Y T "!
N"E 0 A %AD[ 2T U UNTIL ? A3URS$ A6AIR
2GAN4
  8,"!'S "O ?+ ,I "\ 6TELL Y 2F ,I G
FUR!R4 ,:5 WE M>RI$1 MY WIFE MADE OV] ALL
H] PROP]TY 6ME-R AG/ MY W1 = ,I SAW H[
AWKW>D X WD 2 IF MY BUSI;S A6AIRS W5T
WR;G4 ,H["E1 %E WD H X S1 & X 0 D"O4
,WELL1 AB SIX WEEKS AGO %E CAME 6ME4
  8,8,JACK10' SD %E1 ,8:5 Y TOOK MY M"OY Y
SD T IF "E ,I WANT$ ANY ,I 0 6ASK Y = X40'
  8,8,C]TA9LY10' SD ,I4 ,8,X'S ALL YR
[N40'
  8,8,WELL10' SD %E1 ,8,I WANT A HUNDR$
P.DS40'
  8,I 0 A BIT /A7]$ AT ?1 = ,I _H IMAG9$ X
0 SIMPLY A NEW DRESS OR "S?+ (! K9D T %E 0
AF4
  8,8,:AT ON E>? =80' ,I ASK$4
  8,8,OH10' SD %E 9 H] PLAY;L WAY1 ,8,Y SD
T Y 7 ONLY MY BANK]1 & BANK]S N"E ASK "QS1
Y "K40'  8,8,IF Y RE,Y M1N X1 ( C\RSE Y % H   #AA
! M"OY10' SD ,I4
  8,8,OH1 YES1 ,I RE,Y M1N X40'
  8,8,& Y WON'T TELL ME :AT Y WANT X =80'
  8,8,"S "D1 P]H1 B N J AT PRES5T1
,JACK40'
  8,S ,I _H 6BE 3T5T ) T1 ?\< X 0 ! F/ "T
T "! _H "E BE5 ANY SECRET 2T U4 ,I GAVE H]
A *ECK1 & ,I N"E ?"\ ANY M (! MATT]4 ,X
MAY H NO?+ 6D ) :AT CAME AFWS1 B ,I ?"\ X
ONLY "R 6M5;N X4
  8,WELL1 ,I TOLD Y J N[ T "! IS A COTTAGE
N F> F \R H\SE4 ,"! IS J A FIELD 2T U1 B
6R1* X Y H 6G AL;G ! ROAD & !N TURN D[N A
LANE4 ,J 2Y X IS A NICE LL GROVE ( ,SCOT*
FIRS1 & ,I US$ 6BE V FOND ( /ROLL+ D[N "!1
= TREES >E ALW A NEI<B\RLY K9D ( ?+4 ,!
COTTAGE _H BE5 /&+ EMPTY ? EI<T MON?S1 & X
0 A P;Y1 = X 0 A PRETTY TWO-/ORI$ PLACE1 )
AN OLD-FA%ION$ POR* &A H"OYSUCKLE AB X4 ,I
H /OOD _M A "T & ?"\ :AT A N1T LL HOME/1D
X WD MAKE4
  8,WELL1 LA/ ,MON"D EV5+ ,I 0 TAK+ A
/ROLL D[N T WAY :5 ,I MET AN EMPTY VAN -+
UP ! LANE & SAW A PILE ( C>PETS & ?+S LY+AB ON ! GRASS-PLOT 2S ! POR*4 ,X 0     #AB
CLE> T ! COTTAGE _H AT LA/ BE5 LET4 ,I
WALK$ PA/ X1 & !N /OPP+1 Z AN IDLE MAN
MI<T1 ,I RAN MY EYE OV] X & WOND]$ :AT
SORT ( FOLK !Y 7 :O _H -E 6LIVE S NE> U4
,& Z ,I LOOK$ ,I SU45LY 2CAME AW>E T A
FACE 0 WAT*+ ME \ ( "O (! UPP] W9D[S4
  8,I DON'T "K :AT "! 0 AB T FACE1 ,MR4
,HOLMES1 B X SEEM$ 6S5D A *ILL "R D[N MY
BACK4 ,I 0 "S LL WAY (F1 S T ,I CD N MAKE
\ ! F1TURES1 B "! 0 "S?+ UNNATURAL &
9HUMAN AB ! FACE4 ,T 0 ! IMPRES.N T ,I _H1
& ,I MOV$ QKLY =W>D 6GET A NE>] VIEW (!
P]SON :O 0 WAT*+ ME4 ,B Z ,I DID S ! FACE
SU45LY 4APPE>$1 S SU45LY T X SEEM$ 6H BE5
PLUCK$ AWAY 96! D>K;S (! ROOM4 ,I /OOD =
FIVE M9UTES ?9K+ ! BUSI;S OV] & TRY+
6ANALYZE MY IMPRES.NS4 ,I CD N TELL IF !
FACE 0 T (A MAN OR A WOMAN4 ,X _H BE5 TOO
F> F ME = T4 ,B XS COL\R 0 :AT _H IMPRESS$
ME MO/4 ,X 0 (A LIVID *ALKY :ITE1 &) "S?+
SET & RIGID AB X : 0 %OCK+LY UNNATURAL4 ,S
4TURB$ 0 ,I T ,I DET]M9$ 6SEE A LL M (!
NEW 9MATES (! COTTAGE4 ,I APPROA*$ &
KNOCK$ AT ! DOOR1 : 0 9/ANTLY OP5$ 0ATALL1 GAUNT WOMAN )A H>%1 =BI4+        #AC
FACE4
  8,8,:AT MAY Y 2 WANT9'80' %E ASK$ 9 A
,NOR!RN A35T4
  8,8,I AM YR NEI<B\R OV] YOND]10' SD ,I1
NO4+ T[>DS4MY H\SE4 ,8,I SEE T Y H ONLY J
MOV$ IN1 S ,I ?"\ T IF ,I CD 2 ( ANY HELP
6Y 9 ANY-0'
  8,8,AY1 WE'LL J ASK YE :5 WE WANT YE10'
SD %E1 & %UT ! DOOR 9 MY FACE4 ,ANNOY$ AT
! *URLI% REBUFF1 ,I TURN$ MY BACK & WALK$
HOME4 ,ALL EV5+1 ?\< ,I TRI$ 6?9K ( O!R
?9ES MY M9D WD / TURN 6! APP>I;N AT ! W9D[
&! RUDE;S (! WOMAN4 ,I DET]M9$ 6SAY NO?+
AB ! =M] 6MY WIFE1 = %E IS A N]V\S1 HI<LY
/RUNG WOMAN1 & ,I _H NO WI% T %E %D %>E !
UNPL1SANT IMPRES.N : _H BE5 PRODUC$ ^U
MYF4 ,I REM>K$ 6H]1 H["E1 2F ,I FELL
ASLEEP1 T ! COTTAGE 0 N[ O3UPI$1 6: %E
RETURN$ NO REPLY4
  8,I AM USU,Y AN EXTREMELY S.D SLEEP]4 ,X
HAS BE5 A /&+ JE/ 9 ! FAMILY T NO?+ CD "E
WAKE ME DUR+ ! NI<T4 ,& YET "SH[ ON T
"PICUL> NI<T1 :E!R X MAY H BE5 ! SLI<T
EXCITE;T PRODUC$ 0MY LL ADV5TURE OR N ,I"K N1 B ,I SLEPT M* M LI<TLY ?AN       #AD
USUAL4 ,HALF 9 MY DR1MS ,I 0 DIMLY 3SCI\S
T "S?+ 0 GO+ ON 9 ! ROOM1 & GRADU,Y 2CAME
AW>E T MY WIFE _H DRESS$ H]F & 0 SLIPP+ ON
H] MANTLE & H] BONNET4 ,MY LIPS 7 "P$
6MURMUR \ "S SLEEPY ^WS ( SURPRISE OR
REMON/R.E AT ? UN"TLY PREP>,N1 :5 SU45LY
MY HALF-OP5$ EYES FELL ^U H] FACE1
ILLUM9AT$ 0! C&LE-LI<T1 & A/ONI%;T HELD ME
DUMB4 ,%E WORE AN EXPRES.N S* Z ,I _H N"E
SE5 2F-S* Z ,I %D H ?"\ H] 9CAPA# (
ASSUM+4 ,%E 0 D1DLY PALE & BR1?+ FA/1
GLANC+ FURTIVELY T[>DS ! B$ Z %E FA/5$ H]
MANTLE 6SEE IF %E _H 4TURB$ ME4 ,!N1 ?9K+
T ,I 0 / ASLEEP1 %E SLIPP$ NOISE.SLY F !
ROOM1 & AN 9/ANT LAT] ,I HE>D A %>P CR1K+
: CD ONLY -E F ! H+ES (! FRONT DOOR4 ,I
SAT UP 9 B$ & RAPP$ MY KNUCKLES AG/ ! RAIL
6MAKE C]TA9 T ,I 0 TRULY AWAKE4 ,!N ,I
TOOK MY WAT* F "U ! PILL[4 ,X 0 ?REE 9 !
MORN+4 ,:AT ON ? E>? CD MY WIFE 2 DO+ \ ON
! C.TRY ROAD AT ?REE 9 ! MORN+8
  8,I _H SAT = AB TW5TY M9UTES TURN+ ! ?+
OV] 9 MY M9D & TRY+ 6F9D "S POSSI#
EXPLAN,N4 ,! M ,I ?"\1 ! M EXTRAORD9>Y &9EXPLICA# DID X APPE>4 ,I 0 / PUZZL+   #AE
OV] X :5 ,I HE>D ! DOOR G5TLY CLOSE AG1 &
H] FOOT/EPS -+ UP ! /AIRS4
  8,8,": 9 ! _W H Y BE51 ,E6IE80' ,I ASK$
Z %E 5T]$4
  8,%E GAVE A VIOL5T />T &A K9D ( GASP+
CRY :5 ,I SPOKE1 & T CRY & />T TR\#D ME M
?AN ALL ! RE/1 = "! 0 "S?+ 9DESCRIBABLY
GUILTY AB !M4 ,MY WIFE _H ALW BE5 A WOMAN
(A FRANK1 OP5 NATURE1 & X GAVE ME A *ILL
6SEE H] SL9K+ 96H] [N ROOM & CRY+ \ & W9C+
:5 H] [N HUSB& SPOKE 6H]4
  8,8,Y AWAKE1 ,JACK60' %E CRI$ )A N]V\S
LAU<4 ,8,:Y1 ,I ?"\ T NO?+ CD AWAKE Y40'
  8,8,": H Y BE580' ,I ASK$1 M /]NLY4
  8,8,I DON'T WOND] T Y >E SURPRIS$10' SD
%E1 & ,I CD SEE T H] F+]S 7 TREMBL+ Z %E
UNDID ! FA/5+S ( H] MANTLE4 ,8,:Y1 ,I N"E
REMEMB] HAV+ D"O S* A ?+ 9 MY LIFE 2F4 ,!
FACT IS T ,I FELT Z ?\< ,I 7 *OK+ & _H A
P]FECT L;G+ =A BR1? ( FRE% AIR4 ,I RE,Y
?9K T ,I %D H FA9T$ IF ,I _H N G"O \4 ,I
/OOD AT ! DOOR =A FEW M9UTES1 & N[ ,I AM Q
MYF AG40'
  8,ALL ! "T T %E 0 TELL+ ME ? /ORY %E N"EONCE LOOK$ 9 MY DIREC;N1 & H] VOICE    #AF
0 Q UNLIKE H] USUAL T"OS4 ,X 0 EVID5T 6ME
T %E 0 SAY+ :AT 0 FALSE4 ,I SD NO?+ 9
REPLY1 B TURN$ MY FACE 6! WALL1 SICK AT
HE>T1 ) MY M9D FILL$ )A ?\S& V5OM\S D\BTS
& SUSPICIONS4 ,:AT 0 X T MY WIFE 0 3C1L+ F
ME8 ,": _H %E BE5 DUR+ T /RANGE EXP$I;N8
,I FELT T ,I %D H NO P1CE UNTIL ,I KNEW1 &
YET ,I %RANK F ASK+ H] AG AF ONCE %E _H
TOLD ME :AT 0 FALSE4 ,ALL ! RE/ (! NI<T ,I
TOSS$ & TUM#D1 FRAM+ !ORY AF !ORY1 EA* M
UNLIKELY ?AN ! LA/4
  8,I %D H G"O 6! ,C;Y T "D1 B ,I 0 TOO
4TURB$ 9 MY M9D 6BE A# 6PAY ATT5;N 6BUSI;S
MATT]S4 ,MY WIFE SEEM$ 6BE Z UPSET Z MYF1
& ,I CD SEE F ! LL "Q+ GL.ES : %E KEPT
%OOT+ AT ME T %E "U/OOD T ,I 4BELIEV$ H]
/ATE;T1 & T %E 0 AT H] WIT'S 5D :AT 6D4
,WE H>DLY EX*ANG$ A ^W DUR+ BR1KFA/1 &
IMMLY AFWS ,I W5T \ =A WALK T ,I MI<T ?9K
! MATT] \ 9 ! FRE% MORN+ AIR4
  8,I W5T Z F> Z ! ,CRY/AL ,PALACE1 SP5T
AN H\R 9 ! GR.DS1 & 0 BACK 9 ,NORBURY 0"O
O'C4 ,X HAPP5$ T MY WAY TOOK ME PA/ !
COTTAGE1 & ,I /OPP$ = AN 9/ANT 6LOOK AT !W9D[S & 6SEE IF ,I CD CAT* A GLIMPSE   #AG
(! /RANGE FACE : _H LOOK$ \ AT ME ON ! "D
2F4 ,Z ,I /OOD "!1 IMAG9E MY SURPRISE1
,MR4 ,HOLMES1 :5 ! DOOR SU45LY OP5$ & MY
WIFE WALK$ \4
  8,I 0 /RUCK DUMB ) A/ONI%;T AT ! SI<T (
H]1 B MY EMO;NS 7 NO?+ 6^? : %[$ !MVS ^U
H] FACE :5 \R EYES MET4 ,%E SEEM$ = AN
9/ANT 6WI% 6%R9K BACK 9SIDE ! H\SE AG2 &
!N1 SEE+ H[ USE.S ALL 3C1L;T M/ BE1 %E
CAME =W>D1 )A V :ITE FACE & F"R5$ EYES :
2LI$ ! SMILE ^U H] LIPS4
  8,8,AH1 ,JACK10' %E SD1 ,8,I H J BE5 9
6SEE IF ,I C 2 ( ANY ASSI/.E 6\R NEW
NEI<B\RS4 ,:Y D Y LOOK AT ME L T1 ,JACK8
,Y >E N ANGRY ) ME80'
  8,8,S10' SD ,I1 ,8? IS ": Y W5T DUR+ !
NI<T40'
  8,:AT D Y M1N80' %E CRI$4
  8,8,Y CAME "H4 ,I AM SURE ( X4 ,:O >E ^!
P T Y %D VISIT !M AT S* AN H\R80'
  8,8,I H N BE5 "H 2F40'
  8,8,H[ C Y TELL ME :AT Y "K IS FALSE80'
,I CRI$4 ,8,YR V VOICE *ANGES Z Y SP1K4
,:5 H ,I "E _H A SECRET F Y8 ,I % 5T] TCOTTAGE1 & ,I % PROBE ! MATT] 6!       #AH
BOTTOM40'
  8,8,NO1 NO1 ,JACK1 = ,GOD'S SAKE60' %E
GASP$ 9 UNCONTROLLA# EMO;N4 ,!N1 Z ,I
APPROA*$ ! DOOR1 %E SEIZ$ MY SLEEVE &
PULL$ ME BACK ) 3VULSIVE /R5G?4
  8,8,I IMPLORE Y N 6D ?1 ,JACK10' %E
CRI$4 ,8,I SWE> T ,I W TELL Y "EY?+ "S "D1
B NO?+ B MIS]Y C -E ( X IF Y 5T] T
COTTAGE40' ,!N1 Z ,I TRI$ 6%AKE H] (F1 %E
CLUNG 6ME 9 A FR5ZY ( 5TR1TY4
  8,8,TRU/ ME1 ,JACK60' %E CRI$4 ,8,TRU/
ME ONLY ? ONCE4 ,Y W N"E H CAUSE 6REGRET
X4 ,Y "K T ,I WD N H A SECRET F Y IF X 7 N
= YR [N SAKE4 ,\R :OLE LIVES >E AT /AKE 9
?4 ,IF Y -E HOME ) ME ALL W 2 WELL4 ,IF Y
=CE YR WAY 96T COTTAGE ALL IS OV] 2T U40'
  8,"! 0 S* E>NE/;S1 S* DESPAIR1 9 H]
MANN] T H] ^WS >RE/$ ME1 & ,I /OOD
IRRESOLUTE 2F ! DOOR4
  8,8,I W TRU/ Y ON "O 3DI;N1 & ON "O
3DI;N ONLY10' SD ,I AT LA/4 ,8,X IS T ?
MY/]Y -ES 6AN 5D F N[4 ,Y >E AT LIB]TY
6PRES]VE YR SECRET1 B Y M/ PROMISE ME T "!
% 2 NO M NI<TLY VISITS1 NO M DO+S : >EKEPT F MY K4 ,I AM WILL+ 6=GET ^? :    #AI
>E PA/ IF Y W PROMISE T "! % 2 NO M 9 !
FUTURE40'
  8,8,I 0 SURE T Y WD TRU/ ME10' %E CRI$ )
A GRT SI< ( RELIEF4 ,8,X % 2 J Z Y WI%4
,-E AWAY-OH1 -E AWAY UP 6! H\SE40'
  8,/ PULL+ AT MY SLEEVE1 %E L$ ME AWAY F
! COTTAGE4 ,Z WE W5T ,I GL.ED BACK1 & "! 0
T YELL[ LIVID FACE WAT*+ U \ (! UPP] W9D[4
,:AT L9K CD "! 2 2T T CR1TURE & MY WIFE8
,OR H[ CD ! CO>SE1 R\< WOMAN :OM ,I _H SE5
! "D 2F 2 3NECT$ ) H]8 ,X 0 A /RANGE
PUZZLE1 & YET ,I KNEW T MY M9D CD N"E "K
EASE AG UNTIL ,I _H SOLV$ X4
  8,= TWO "DS AF ? ,I /AY$ AT HOME1 & MY
WIFE APPE>$ 6ABIDE LOY,Y 0\R 5GAGE;T1 =1 Z
F> Z ,I "K1 %E N"E /IRR$ \ (! H\SE4 ON !
?IRD "D1 H["E1 ,I _H AMPLE EVID;E T H]
SOLEMN PROMISE 0 N 5 6HOLD H] BACK F ?
SECRET 9FLU;E : DREW H] AWAY F H] HUSB& &
H] DUTY4
  8,I _H G"O 96T[N ON T "D1 B ,I RETURN$
0! #B3DJ 9/1D (! #C3CF1 : IS MY USUAL
TRA94 ,Z ,I 5T]$ ! H\SE ! MAID RAN 96!
HALL )A />TL$ FACE4  8,8,": IS YR MI/RESS80' ,I ASK$4     #BJ
  8,8,I ?9K T %E HAS G"O \ =A WALK10' %E
ANSW]$4
  8,MY M9D 0 9/ANTLY FILL$ ) SUSPICION4 ,I
RU%$ UP/AIRS 6MAKE SURE T %E 0 N 9 ! H\SE4
,Z ,I DID S ,I HAPP5$ 6GL.E \ ( "O (! UPP]
W9D[S & SAW ! MAID ) :OM ,I _H J BE5 SP1K+
RUNN+ ACR ! FIELD 9 ! DIREC;N (! COTTAGE4
,!N ( C\RSE ,I SAW EXACTLY :AT X ALL M1NT4
,MY WIFE _H G"O OV] "! & _H ASK$ ! S]VANT
6CALL H] IF ,I %D RETURN4 ,T+L+ ) ANG]1 ,I
RU%$ D[N & HURRI$ ACR1 DET]M9$ 65D ! MATT]
ONCE & ="E4 ,I SAW MY WIFE &! MAID HURRY+
BACK AL;G ! LANE1 B ,I DID N /OP 6SP1K )
!M4 ,9 ! COTTAGE LAY ! SECRET : 0 CA/+ A
%AD[ OV] MY LIFE4 ,I V[$ T1 -E :AT MI<T1 X
%D 2 A SECRET NO L;G]4 ,I DID N EV5 KNOCK
:5 ,I R1*$ X1 B TURN$ ! H&LE & RU%$ 96!
PASSAGE4
  8,X 0 ALL / & QUIET ^U ! GR.D FLOOR4 ,9
! KIT*5 A KETTLE 0 S++ ON ! FIRE1 &A L>GE
BLACK CAT LAY COIL$ UP 9 ! BASKET2 B "! 0
NO SIGN (! WOMAN :OM ,I _H SE5 2F4 ,I RAN
96! O!R ROOM1 B X 0 EQU,Y DES]T$4 ,!N ,I
RU%$ UP ! /AIRS ONLY 6F9D TWO O!R ROOMSEMPTY & DES]T$ AT ! TOP4 ,"! 0 NO "O   #BA
AT ALL 9 ! :OLE H\SE4 ,! FURNITURE &
PICTURES 7 (! MO/ -MON & VULG> DESCRIP;N1
SAVE 9 ! "O *AMB] AT ! W9D[ ( : ,I _H SE5
! /RANGE FACE4 ,T 0 -=TA# & ELEGANT1 & ALL
MY SUSPICIONS ROSE 96A FI]CE1 BITT] FLAME
:5 ,I SAW T ON ! MANTELPIECE /OOD A COPY (
A FULL-L5G? PHOTOGRAPH ( MY WIFE1 : _H BE5
TAK5 AT MY REQUE/ ONLY ?REE MON?S AGO4
  8,I /AY$ L;G 5 6MAKE C]TA9 T ! H\SE 0
ABSOLUTELY EMPTY4 ,!N ,I LEFT X1 FEEL+ A
WEI<T AT MY HE>T S* Z ,I _H N"E _H 2F4 ,MY
WIFE CAME \ 96! HALL Z ,I 5T]$ MY H\SE2 B
,I 0 TOO HURT & ANGRY 6SP1K ) H]1 &1 PU%+
PA/ H]1 ,I MADE MY WAY 96MY /UDY4 ,%E
FOLL[$ ME1 H["E1 2F ,I CD CLOSE ! DOOR4
  8,8,I AM SORRY T ,I BROKE MY PROMISE1
,JACK10' SD %E1 ,8B IF Y KNEW ALL !
CIRCUM/.ES ,I AM SURE T Y WD =GIVE ME40'
  8,8,TELL ME "EY?+1 !N10' SD ,I4
  8,8,I _C1 ,JACK1 ,I _C10' %E CRI$4
  8,8,UNTIL Y TELL ME :O X IS T HAS BE5
LIV+ 9 T COTTAGE1 & :O X IS 6:OM Y H GIV5
T PHOTOGRAPH1 "! C N"E 2 ANY 3FID;E 2T
U10' SD ,I1 & BR1K+ AWAY F H] ,I LEFT !H\SE4 ,T 0 YE/]"D1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES1 &     #BB
,I H N SE5 H] S9CE1 NOR D ,I "K ANY?+ M AB
? /RANGE BUSI;S4 ,X IS ! F/ %AD[ T HAS -E
2T U1 & X HAS S %AK5 ME T ,I D N "K :AT ,I
%D D =! BE/4 ,SU45LY ? MORN+ X O3URR$ 6ME
T Y 7 ! MAN 6ADVISE ME1 S ,I H HURRI$ 6Y
N[1 & ,I PLACE MYF UNRES]V$LY 9 YR H&S4
,IF "! IS ANY PO9T : ,I H N MADE CLE>1
PRAY "Q ME AB X4 ,B1 ABV ALL1 TELL ME QKLY
:AT ,I AM 6D1 = ? MIS]Y IS M ?AN ,I C
BE>40
  ,HOLMES & ,I _H LI/5$ )! UTMO/ 9T]E/ 6?
EXTRAORD9>Y /ATE;T1 : _H BE5 DELIV]$ 9 !
J]KY1 BROK5 FA%ION (A MAN :O IS "U !
9FLU;E ( EXTREME EMO;N4 ,MY -PANION SAT
SIL5T N[ = "S "T1 ) 8 *9 ^U 8 H&1 LO/ 9
?"\4
  8,TELL ME10 SD HE AT LA/1 8CD Y SWE> T ?
0 A MAN'S FACE : Y SAW AT ! W9D[80
  8,EA* "T T ,I SAW X ,I 0 "S 4T.E AWAY F
X1 S T X IS IMPOSSI# = ME 6SAY40
  8,Y APPE>1 H["E1 6H BE5 4AGREEABLY
IMPRESS$ 0X40
  8,X SEEM$ 6BE ( AN UNUSUAL COL\R & 6H A
/RANGE RIGID;Y AB ! F1TURES4 ,:5 ,IAPPROA*$ X VANI%$ )A J]K40             #BC
  8,H[ L;G IS X S9CE YR WIFE ASK$ Y =A
HUNDR$ P.DS80
  8,NE>LY TWO MON?S40
  8,H Y "E SE5 A PHOTOGRAPH ( H] F/
HUSB&80
  8,NO1 "! 0 A GRT FIRE AT ,ATLANTA V
%ORTLY AF 8 D1?1 & ALL H] PAP]S 7
DE/ROY$40
  8,& YET %E _H A C]TIFICATE ( D1?4 ,Y SAY
T Y SAW X40
  8,YES1 %E GOT A DUPLICATE AF ! FIRE40
  8,DID Y "E MEET ANY"O :O KNEW H] 9
,AM]ICA80
  8,NO40
  8,DID %E "E TALK ( REVISIT+ ! PLACE80
  8,NO40
  8,OR GET LRS F X80
  8,NO40
  8,?ANK Y4 ,I %D L 6?9K OV] ! MATT] A LL
N[4 ,IF ! COTTAGE IS N[ P]MAN5TLY DES]T$
WE MAY H "S DI6ICULTY4 ,IF1 ON ! O!R H&1 Z
,I FANCY IS M LIKELY1 ! 9MATES 7 W>N$ ( YR
-+ & LEFT 2F Y 5T]$ YE/]"D1 !N !Y MAY 2
BACK N[1 & WE %D CLE> X ALL UP EASILY4,LET ME ADVISE Y1 !N1 6RETURN          #BD
6,NORBURY & 6EXAM9E ! W9D[S (! COTTAGE AG4
,IF Y H R1SON 62LIEVE T X IS 9HABIT$1 D N
=CE YR WAY IN1 B S5D A WIRE 6MY FR & ME4
,WE % 2 ) Y )9 AN H\R ( RCVG X1 & WE % !N
V SOON GET 6! BOTTOM (! BUSI;S40
  8,& IF X IS / EMPTY80
  8,IN T CASE ,I % -E \ TO-MORR[ & TALK X
OV] ) Y4 ,GD-BYE1 &1 ABV ALL1 D N FRET
UNTIL Y "K T Y RE,Y H A CAUSE = X40
  8,I AM AFRAID T ? IS A BAD BUSI;S1
,WATSON10 SD MY -PANION Z HE RETURN$ AF
A3OMPANY+ ,MR4 ,GRANT ,MUNRO 6! DOOR4
8,:AT D Y MAKE ( X80
  8,X _H AN UGLY S.D10 ,I ANSW]$4
  8,YES4 ,"!'S BLACKMAIL 9 X1 OR ,I AM M*
MISTAK540
  8,& :O IS ! BLACKMAIL]80
  8,WELL1 X M/ 2 ! CR1TURE :O LIVES 9 !
ONLY -=TA# ROOM 9 ! PLACE & HAS H]
PHOTOGRAPH ABV 8 FIREPLACE4 ,^U MY ^W1
,WATSON1 "! IS "S?+ V ATTRACTIVE AB T
LIVID FACE AT ! W9D[1 & ,I WD N H MISS$ !
CASE = _WS40
  8,Y H A !ORY80  8,YES1 A PROVI.NAL "O4 ,B ,I % 2     #BE
SURPRIS$ IF X DOES N TURN \ 6BE CORRECT4
,? WOMAN'S F/ HUSB& IS 9 T COTTAGE40
  8,:Y D Y ?9K S80
  8,H[ ELSE C WE EXPLA9 H] FR5ZI$ ANXIETY
T H] SECOND "O %D N 5T] X8 ,! FACTS1 Z ,I
R1D !M1 >E "S?+ L ?3 ,? WOMAN 0 M>RI$ 9
,AM]ICA4 ,H] HUSB& DEVELOP$ "S HATE;L
QUALITIES1 OR % WE SAY HE 3TRACT$ "S
LOA?"S 41SE & 2CAME A LEP] OR AN IMBECILE8
,%E FLIES F HM AT LA/1 RETURNS 6,5GL&1
*ANGES H] "N1 & />TS H] LIFE1 Z %E ?9KS1
AFRE%4 ,%E HAS BE5 M>RI$ ?REE YE>S &
2LIEVES T H] POSI;N IS Q SECURE1 HAV+ %[N
H] HUSB& ! D1? C]TIFICATE ( "S MAN ^: "N
%E HAS ASSUM$1 :5 SU45LY H] ":ABS IS
4COV]$ 0H] F/ HUSB&1 OR1 WE MAY SUPPOSE1
0"S UNSCRUPUL\S WOMAN :O HAS ATTA*$ H]F 6!
9VALID4 ,!Y WRITE 6! WIFE & ?R1T5 6-E &
EXPOSE H]4 ,%E ASKS =A HUNDR$ P.DS &
5D1V\RS 6BUY !M (F4 ,!Y -E 9 SPITE ( X1 &
:5 ! HUSB& M5;NS CASU,Y 6! WIFE T "! >E
NEWCOM]S 9 ! COTTAGE1 %E "KS 9 "S WAY T !Y
>E H] PURSU]S4 ,%E WAITS UNTIL H] HUSB& IS
ASLEEP1 & !N %E RU%ES D[N 65D1V\R 6P]SUADE!M 6L1VE H] 9 P1CE4 ,HAV+ NO SU3ESS1   #BF
%E GOES AG NEXT MORN+1 & H] HUSB& MEETS
H]1 Z HE HAS TOLD U1 Z %E -ES \4 ,%E
PROMISES HM !N N 6G "! AG1 B TWO "DS AFWS
! HOPE ( GETT+ RID ( ^? DR1D;L NEI<B\RS 0
TOO /R;G = H]1 & %E MADE ANO!R ATTEMPT1
TAK+ D[N ) H] ! PHOTOGRAPH : _H PROBABLY
BE5 DEM&$ F H]4 ,9 ! MID/ ( ? 9T]VIEW !
MAID RU%$ 9 6SAY T ! MA/] _H -E HOME1 ON :
! WIFE1 "K+ T HE WD -E /RAI<T D[N 6!
COTTAGE1 HURRI$ ! 9MATES \ AT ! BACK DOOR1
96! GROVE ( FIR-TREES1 PROBABLY1 : 0 M5;N$
Z /&+ NE>4 ,9 ? WAY HE F.D ! PLACE DES]T$4
,I % 2 V M* SURPRIS$1 H["E1 IF X IS / S :5
HE RECONNOITRES X ? EV5+4 ,:AT D Y ?9K (
MY !ORY80
  8,X IS ALL SURMISE40
  8,B AT L1/ X COV]S ALL ! FACTS4 ,AF NEW
FACTS -E 6\R K : _C 2 COV]$ 0X1 X W 2 "T 5
6RECONSID] X4 ,WE C D NO?+ M UNTIL WE H A
MESSAGE F \R FR AT ,NORBURY40
  ,B WE _H N A V L;G "T 6WAIT = T4 ,X CAME
J Z WE BAD F9I%$ \R TEA4
  ,! COTTAGE IS / T5ANT$ ,7X SD7'4 ,H SE5
! FACE AG AT ! W9D[4 ,W MEET ! SEV5-O'CTRA9 & W TAKE NO /EPS UNTIL Y >RIVE4   #BG
  ,HE 0 WAIT+ ON ! PLAT=M :5 WE /EPP$ \1 &
WE CD SEE 9 ! LI<T (! /,N LAMPS T HE 0 V
PALE1 & QUIV]+ ) AGIT,N4
  8,!Y >E / "!1 ,MR4 ,HOLMES10 SD HE1 LAY+
8 H& H>D ^U MY FR'S SLEEVE4 8,I SAW LI<TS
9 ! COTTAGE Z ,I CAME D[N4 ,WE % SETTLE X
N[ ONCE &= ALL40
  8,:AT IS YR PLAN1 !N80 ASK$ ,HOLMES Z HE
WALK$ D[N ! D>K TREE-L9$ ROAD4
  8,I AM GO+ 6=CE MY WAY 9 & SEE = MYF :O
IS 9 ! H\SE4 ,I WI% Y BO? 6BE "! Z
WIT;SES40
  8,Y >E Q DET]M9$ 6D ? 9 SPITE ( YR
WIFE'S W>N+ T X IS BETT] T Y %D N SOLVE !
MY/]Y80
  8,YES1 ,I AM DET]M9$40
  8,WELL1 ,I ?9K T Y >E 9 ! "R4 ,ANY TRU?
IS BETT] ?AN 9DEF9ITE D\BT4 ,WE _H BETT] G
UP AT ONCE4 ,( C\RSE1 LEG,Y1 WE >E PUTT+
\RVS HOPE.SLY 9 ! WR;G2 B ,I ?9K T X IS
WOR? X40
  ,X 0 A V D>K NI<T1 &A ?9 RA9 2GAN 6FALL
Z WE TURN$ F ! HI<ROAD 96A N>R[ LANE1
DEEPLY RUTT$1 ) H$GES ON EI SIDE4 ,MR4,GRANT ,MUNRO PU%$ IMPATI5TLY =W>D1    #BH
H["E1 & WE /UM#D AF HM Z BE/ WE CD4
  8,"! >E ! LI<TS ( MY H\SE10 HE MURMUR$1
PO9T+ 6A GLIMM] AM;G ! TREES4 8,& "H IS !
COTTAGE : ,I AM GO+ 65T]40
  ,WE TURN$ A CORN] 9 ! LANE Z HE SPOKE1 &
"! 0 ! BUILD+ CLOSE 2S U4 ,A YELL[ B>
FALL+ ACR ! BLACK =EGR.D %[$ T ! DOOR 0 N
Q CLOS$1 & "O W9D[ 9 ! UPP] /ORY 0 B"RLY
ILLUM9AT$4 ,Z WE LOOK$1 WE SAW A D>K BLUR
MOV+ ACR ! BL4
  8,"! IS T CR1TURE60 CRI$ ,GRANT ,MUNRO4
8,Y C SEE = YRVS T "S"O IS "!4 ,N[ FOLL[
ME1 & WE % SOON "K ALL40
  ,WE APPROA*$ ! DOOR1 B SU45LY A WOMAN
APPE>$ \ (! %AD[ & /OOD 9 ! GOLD5 TRACK (!
LAMPLI<T4 ,I CD N SEE H] FACE 9 ! D>K;S1 B
H] >MS 7 ?R[N \ 9 AN ATTITUDE ( 5TR1TY4
  8,= ,GOD'S SAKE1 DON'T1 ,JACK60 %E CRI$4
8,I _H A PRES5TI;T T Y WD -E ? EV5+4 ,?9K
BETT] ( X1 DE>6 ,TRU/ ME AG1 & Y W N"E H
CAUSE 6REGRET X40
  8,I H TRU/$ Y TOO L;G1 ,E6IE10 HE CRI$
/]NLY4 8,L1VE G ( ME6 ,I M/ PASS Y4 ,MY
FRS & ,I >E GO+ 6SETTLE ? MATT] ONCE &="E60 ,HE PU%$ H] 6"O SIDE1 & WE       #BI
FOLL[$ CLOSELY AF HM4 ,Z HE ?REW ! DOOR
OP5 AN OLD WOMAN RAN \ 9 FRONT ( HM & TRI$
6B> 8 PASSAGE1 B HE ?RU/ H] BACK1 & AN
9/ANT AFWS WE 7 ALL ^U ! /AIRS4 ,GRANT
,MUNRO RU%$ 96! LI<T$ ROOM AT ! TOP1 & WE
5T]$ AT 8 HEELS4
  ,X 0 A COSY1 WELL-FURNI%$ A"P;T1 ) TWO
C&LES BURN+ ^U ! TA# & TWO ^U !
MANTELPIECE4 ,9 ! CORN]1 /OOP+ OV] A DESK1
"! SAT :AT APPE>$ 6BE A LL GIRL4 ,H] FACE
0 TURN$ AWAY Z WE 5T]$1 B WE CD SEE T %E 0
DRESS$ 9 A R$ FROCK1 & T %E _H L;G :ITE
GLOVES ON4 ,Z %E :ISK$ R.D 6U1 ,I GAVE A
CRY ( SURPRISE & HORROR4 ,! FACE : %E
TURN$ T[>DS U 0 (! /RANGE/ LIVID T9T1 &!
F1TURES 7 ABSOLUTELY DEVOID ( ANY
EXPRES.N4 ,AN 9/ANT LAT] ! MY/]Y 0
EXPLA9$4 ,HOLMES1 )A LAU<1 PASS$ 8 H& 2H !
*'S E>1 A MASK PEEL$ (F F H] C.T5.E1 & "!
0 A LL COAL-BLACK NEGRESS1 ) ALL H] :ITE
TEE? FLA%+ 9 AMUSE;T AT \R AMAZ$ FACES4 ,I
BUR/ \ LAU<+1 \ ( SYMPA?Y ) H] M]RI;T2 B
,GRANT ,MUNRO /OOD />+1 ) 8 H& CLUT*+ 8
?ROAT4  8,MY ,GOD60 HE CRI$4 8,:AT C 2 !     #CJ
M1N+ ( ?80
  8,I W TELL Y ! M1N+ ( X10 CRI$ ! LADY1
SWEEP+ 96! ROOM )A PR\D1 SET FACE4 8,Y H
=C$ ME1 AG/ MY [N JUDG;T1 6TELL Y1 & N[ WE
M/ BO? MAKE ! BE/ ( X4 ,MY HUSB& DI$ AT
,ATLANTA4 ,MY * SURVIV$40
  8,YR *80
  ,%E DREW A L>GE SILV] LOCKET F H] BOSOM4
8,Y H N"E SE5 ? OP540
  8,I "U/OOD T X DID N OP540
  ,%E T\*$ A SPR+1 &! FRONT H+$ BACK4 ,"!
0 A PORTRAIT )9 (A MAN /RIK+LY H&"S &
9TELLIG5T-LOOK+1 B BE>+ UNMISTAKA# SIGNS
^U 8 F1TURES ( 8 ,AFRICAN DESC5T4
  8,T IS ,JOHN ,HEBRON1 ( ,ATLANTA10 SD !
LADY1 8&A NO#R MAN N"E WALK$ ! E>?4 ,I CUT
MYF (F F MY RACE 9 ORD] 6W$ HM1 B N"E ONCE
:ILE HE LIV$ DID ,I = AN 9/ANT REGRET X4
,X 0 \R MIS=TUNE T \R ONLY * TOOK AF 8 P R
?AN M9E4 ,X IS (T5 S 9 S* MAT*ES1 & LL
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