Teddy, it appeared⁠—one may observe the use of the informant in the detective sergeant’s report⁠—had been on the water-wagon for some time. But a week ago he had broken out. For two or three days he had drunk steadily, and finished up by breaking the jaw of one of his boon companions who had refused to lend him money. Then he had laid up to recover as was his habit. On Tuesday he had gone on a drinking bout again, and that seemed likely to continue indefinitely. During his absence the sergeant had talked with his wife, who would give nothing away. But he had rescued from the grate of a room during the conversation a half-burnt scrap of paper which he enclosed.

“All ready. Cut out b⁠⸺ put you in the mud. Meet⁠—”

“All ready. Cut out b⁠⸺ put you in the mud. Meet⁠—”