“He did not disappear in an undetermined direction,” said Holmes. “Indeed, I can show you with certainty the place where the cyclist will appear on the morrow.”
And with that, Holmes marked another place on the map of London.
Despite Lestrade’s efforts, the affair appeared again in the papers, on the front page, no less. The case from the day before was given in detail. The cyclist was described as a gaunt fellow wearing a hood. In addition, at the bottom of the page, there was the latest news: the bicyclist had been at it again. I suppose it is unnecessary for me to say that he showed up at the place where Holmes had indicated on the map the day before.
“You’re hiding something from me,” I told him.
“No, Watson. I’m not hiding anything. In other words, I still don’t have anything to hide.”
Then he smiled cryptically.
“You see, tonight the cyclist will appear here, make a round and thus complete the silhouette of a bicycle on the streets of London.”
“And we will be waiting for him there and capture him,” I added.
“Far from it, Watson. Far from it. That’s exactly what our cyclist is expecting.”
It was only then that my confusion was complete. If Holmes is right, I thought, then the cyclist is indeed a psychopath. It is impossible for a man in his right mind to break the law in order to be caught.
“But no, my dear Watson. The cyclist is certainly not a psychopath. I would rather say that he is a member of a well organized criminal group. Now it is time for me to reveal the secret to you: all of London is abuzz with the affair of the cyclist. The police have turned their complete attention to him, which is reasonable because public opinion has been aroused. The cyclist will appear tonight at the place where we expect him to, but we will not be there.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The cyclist and his cohorts have not forgotten my acquaintance with Lestrade and my cleverness. Quite correctly they have assumed that I will discover that the cyclist wants to draw attention to the pattern of his movements. But, I must say, they have underestimated me.”
“What do you mean?”
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