Conclusion

Seeing that Mrs. Starling was about to launch into another monologue, Leonard hurriedly produced a portrait of Neph Dumbledore. This did little good, however, because Mrs. Starling started again:

"A very pretty girl, isn't she? But she doesn't look local. Has this girl committed a crime too? She looks very young-"

Leonard had no choice but to listen to the rest of Mrs. Starling's analysis before finally saying:

"One last question.

"When did Sherlock Moriarty terminate his lease?"

"Early January," Mrs. Starling answered without hesitation. "He said he was going to Desi for a holiday, then had some family matters to attend to. He wouldn't be coming back anytime soon, so he left."

Early January- Leonard noted the date, and something vague drifted through his mind.

After leaving Mrs. Starling's dream, Leonard headed straight for his next destination. Although various circumstances had kept him from conducting a second investigation since his last visit, he had obtained information on Sherlock Moriarty through several channels, including the police and the Church.

He knew that Sherlock Moriarty had joined the Quelaag Club and had several friends there. He also knew that Sherlock

Moriarty had invested in the Pedal Bicycle Company. Since Neph Dumbledore was also among its shareholders, the inventor Raypard became his second target that night.

Raypard was a tall, thin man. Leonard knocked on his door as usual, and the gentleman, who was dreaming, opened it with a somewhat dazed expression.

Leonard presented his identification, then asked his usual question: "Do you know Sherlock Moriarty?"

"Sherlock Moriarty?" Raypard's unfocused gaze gradually sharpened. "He's a reliable investor with a good eye. I was hoping to approach him for investment again the next time I invented something-officer, has something happened to him?"

Raypard's impression of Sherlock Moriarty differed little from those of the