The End Begins

After years of relentless pursuit, I finally believed I had found sufficient evidence to convict Ratigan. Never before had he left any clues that would connect him to his misdeeds, but I was firmly convinced that I had discovered precisely what I needed to make him stand trial. If the bullets from the gun I had stumbled upon matched the one previously recovered from the…

I was getting ahead of myself. There was work to be done. Attempting not to look too anxious, I nonchalantly strolled home. Even though I yearned to dash to Baker Street at my quickest pace, it simply would not have done to reveal myself in such a ludicrous manner. Years of disguising myself had taught me never to assume I was not being watched.

Arriving home, I flung the door open and exclaimed triumphantly, "Aha! The villain's slipped this time! I shall have him!"

I barely noticed my visitors. My thoughts were consumed with images of Ratigan in handcuffs or standing before a judge. Perhaps they would hang the felon. I cared not a whit what his sentence would be; I merely wished to capture him at last, thus freeing innocent citizens from his depraved mind.

Taking careful aim at a few pillows, I fired the gun, but I had forgotten about Mrs. Judson. She's usually rather pleasant company and an excellent housekeeper, but when she becomes wrathful, she tends to be more deadly than even the worst criminals I've confronted.

"MR. BASIL!"

I had to think fast.

"How many times have I told you…?!"

"There, there, Mrs. Judson. It's quite alright." I replied calmly. In a desperate attempt to change the subject, I ushered her to the kitchen, suggesting that she fetch some crumpets for our guests.

I then began searching for the bullet, which a young girl handed me. Although greatly annoyed by her interference, I tried to be polite.

"Thank you, Miss…"

"Flaversham," she stated. "Olivia Flaversham."

I had no time for introductions. Taking the bullet I had just fired and the one I had found previously, I held them close to my face. They looked identical. To make sure they matched perfectly, I examined them under my microscope.

Much to my chagrin, I discovered an inconsistency in the markings. Depressed, I trudged to my chair and began playing my violin. What was the point of continuing? Ratigan would always prove more vulpine.

"Now will you please listen to me? My daddy's gone, and I'm all alone!"

This child was beginning to vex me. I had just barely missed the opportunity to apprehend Ratigan, and she was complaining about being lonely!

"Young lady, this is a most inopportune time," I responded.

It was my way of politely asking her to leave me in peace and return to her home, but she somehow failed to comprehend my meaning.

"Surely your mother knows where he is!" I added, trying to convey the message more clearly.

"I…I don't have a mother," she answered softly.

This bit of information was considerably shocking. If the girl had no mother at home and something had happened to her father, she was in grave danger. Ratigan and his ruffians were most unkind to orphans. I wondered what could have happened to Mr. Flaversham that had convinced his daughter to seek my assistance, pondering why she would choose me out of all Mousedom's detectives to be the one to help her locate her missing parent. In fact, how had she arrived safely at my door without parental guidance? Was she asking me to take her case?

All these thoughts raced through my mind in a matter of seconds, and I nearly agreed to solve her problem. I then realized I had no time for it. Ratigan had to be stopped, and Mr. Flaversham had probably just been temporarily detained somewhere. I informed Miss Flanchester that I had no time for lost fathers.

"I didn't lose him!" she argued. "He was taken by a bat!"

She suddenly had my full attention.

"Did you say 'bat'?" I inquired.

"Yes."

"Did he have a crippled wing?" I queried eagerly.

"I don't know, but he had a peg leg."

Progress! She was describing Fidget, one of Ratigan's favorite henchmen! There was still a chance I would capture my longtime enemy! All I had to do was find Flaversham, and Fidget would lead me straight to Ratigan!

After my initial rush of excitement, I regained my composure. Lighting a pipe, I asked Miss Flamhammer to tell me everything, emphasizing repeatedly that the slightest detail may be important.

That was the beginning of the end, my final case against Ratigan.