The Aluminium Dagger | R. Austin Freeman | A Bitesized Audio Production

Edwardian forensic scientist Dr. John Thorndyke investigates the baffling murder of a man found in a locked room, stabbed in the back by a most unusual weapon...
A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.
If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, you may like to consider supporting me on Patreon:
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Richard Austin Freeman (1862-1943) was born in London and trained in medicine at the Middlesex Hospital. After a spell as a house surgeon, he joined the Colonial Service and spent some years working in Africa. He was invalided home with blackwater fever in 1891. Returning to London he worked as an ear, nose and throat specialist, as well as in general practice and, for a time, as Medical Officer at Holloway Prison. He began writing fiction in the early 1900s, initially under the pseudonym "Clifford Ashdown", including the Romney Pringle stories which were serialised in Cassell's Magazine in 1902. Five years later, under his own name, he wrote 'The Red Thumb Mark', the novel which introduced the character of Dr. John Thorndyke.
Thorndyke is a self-described "medical jurispractitioner", having given up practice as a medical doctor to train in the law, and established himself as what is now known as a forensic scientist. He is accompanied in his investigations by his friend and colleague Dr. Christopher Jervis, who narrates the adventures. Of all the many "rivals" to Sherlock Holmes who appeared in fiction at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Thorndyke and Jervis partnership is perhaps the closest parallel to the world of Holmes and Watson. The similarities are underscored both by the original illustrators who depicted Thorndyke very much in the mould of Holmes and also by the casting of John Neville as Thorndyke in a 1971 television adaptation of one of his adventures (Neville played Holmes in the 1965 film 'A Study in Terror', as well as on stage in William Gillette's play). Making his first appearance four years after Holmes's 1903 retirement to Sussex to keep bees, Thorndyke takes on the mantle of Holmes for the next generation, and with his medico-legal training is well equipped for the modern scientific advances of the new century. He appeared in 21 novels and 40 short stories between 1907 and 1942.
'The Aluminium Dagger' first appeared in the 1909 volume 'John Thorndyke's Cases'; it was subsequently published in the July 1910 edition of McClure's Magazine.
A note on the text: This narration uses the magazine text of this story, as it appeared in McClure's Magazine in 1910. Listeners who like to "follow along with the book" may notice that the text which appears in some anthologies and in the collected Thorndyke stories differs noticeably in several places, although the basic story is the same. For reference, the original text as read here can be found at the following link: archive.org/details/TheAlumin...
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2021.

[@rattyrachel4316]

I’m going to come clean. Stories like this require a good deal of analytical thinking, something I do not excel at. And so, I just hang on and leave the resolution of the mystery to greater minds. All the while, however, I am soaking up the atmosphere, marveling at the writer’s talent, reveling in the old-fashioned British language and enjoying your mesmerizing reading voice. I appreciate your talent and hard work, Simon! 😊

[@flapjackfae]

Freeman's mystery stories are among the best. Thank you!

[@tonyrawlinson8894]

Even though it's obvious from early on what has happened, this is an excellent story well-read. Your precise diction suits Thorndyke's precision like a hand fits a glove. I love the expression: "navigating his craft on a lee shore." The "lee shore" is the shoreline which is to the lee side of the vessel (the wind is blowing in the direction of land). Navigators have to be particularly careful on a lee shore lest they run aground. So presumably Freeman means the police inspector was riding for a fall (coasting along with his enquiries thinking he had it all wrapped up, but heading for disaster)! What fabulous use of language!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Tony, appreciated - yes, that line stood out to me too, it's a great image

[@wisdomoftheearlychristians2037]

Thanks for explaining this! My father was a Navy vet,and grew up on a small island, only reachable by boat; still, he is long passed so I don't have anyone to ask about these things. So thank you!

[@bluefriend1723]

This author has positively become my most favorite writer. Just love his stories. Thanks so much !

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to know that BlueFriend, I recall you prefer the mystery/detective tales to the ghost stories... I'm aiming to keep a balance of both!

[@josiew3120]

​​@BitesizedAudio I'm with BlueFriend -- I love mystery/detective stories; not a fan of ghost stories ... although I'm sure they benefit as richly from your reading as do these others. 😊

[@catharine1877]

I'd had such a rubbish day today and decided to go and walk in the rain, just then I noticed you had messaged to say there was a new story. Suffice to say I'm feeling much better. Thank you Simon.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Sorry to hear you've not had a good day, but glad if this helps a little bit! Thanks for your support Catharine, all best wishes to you

[@Bambisgf77]

Well, what a coincidence? I had a rubbish day today! 2.1.22 when one thing goes wrong 6 others follow it! That’s ok, bc when good things happen they multiply as well. Still thankful to find a Simon story I had not listed to! Hope you are having a better day now Catharine!

[@catharine1877]

@@Bambisgf77 I hope you are too Felene! Lovely community that follows the amazing Simon!

[@Frenchblue8]

@@catharine1877most definitely. ✔️

[@ericdoran24]

My day went from very good to excellent when I saw the notification that you had posted a new story. Thank you.

[@divine.damage]

I appreciate these stories so much. You are such a superb reader. Thank you!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Very kind of you to say so, thank you - glad to know you enjoy them.

[@franceslynn535]

Good story Steven Stanhope is an marvellous narrator

[@smythharris2635]

Excellent. Dr Thorndyke stories appeared on the television with Peter Copley as the Dr. Unfortunately I recall seeing them in 1964. Your voice reminds me very much of Sir Michael Redgrave's. Thank you for your superb readings.

[@BitesizedAudio]

@Smyth Harris What a lovely compliment, thank you!

[@natalya6091]

Thank you very much, dear Simon! Have a fabulous Monday. Hello from Moscow.

[@shannondore]

This was brilliant! I just love how smooth the changes in characters are. The accents and inflections in your voice are flawless. Thanks Simon for another great story.

[@thelmaallen8766]

These books are truly splendid entertainment, I congratulate you on the selection and the readings. Please excuse the personal nature of this comment, as I feel I must tell you that the voice itself and the excellent diction and delivery are what make them so enjoyable.

[@BitesizedAudio]

That's very kind of you to say, thank you!

[@bobbeyderbrain]

As read by the man with the golden voice. And resulting in a deeper shade of joy. ❤

[@natalya6091]

Agreed Fantastic comment Hello from Moscow

[@feralbluee]

so beautifully put "a deeper shade of joy" :) keep safe 🌷

[@2msvalkyrie529]

" golden " ? More like brass . Rather monotonous with random stresses thrown in at various points . Sentences continually broken into 2 or 3 parts . Still , it's free and recording audio books is fiendishly difficult.

[@frankmcgovern5445]

That one was a straight up banger. Excellent. Thanks, Bitesized Audio

[@heliobastet3816]

Just discovered these, absolutely love them. Such a treat!

[@chrisnorman9980]

Thank you! Ever since your Christmas ghost story, I’ve been subsisting on mediocre audio ghost/mystery books and short stories. Some are okay but most are read so badly that I can’t make it past the first five minutes. One was about a British professor/detective. The American reader read the character’s voice in a way that sounded like Yogi Bear. You’ve spoiled us with how these vintage stories should be read. This isn’t flattery - this is hard fact.

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're very kind Chris, thank you! I have uploaded another ghost story since Christmas though, perhaps you didn't get the notification (I'm not really sure how these things work...), here's the link in case you missed it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inLapqambLSMiLc Rest assured lots more stories (ghost as well as general mystery/detective/suspense) are in the pipeline for the months ahead!

[@chrisnorman9980]

I just tell the truth about your readings and it comes off as being kind. :) I’ll certainly follow that link. Thank you. I look forward to much more entertainment from you.

[@jackloveshisangelo]

my eyes bulged with anticipation seeing this release

[@thisawareness2342]

Love these audios, thank you so very much!

[@qingma7663]

Dear Simon , I enjoyed more the way of you telling the stories, your voice with so much richness add the most original air to the story, so good !

[@feralbluee]

good one - there are a three readers who are getting me through this quarateen and you are one of them. thanks for the work andtime you put into these stories - it is truly appreciated :) 🌷🧚🏻 (NY, NY)

[@BitesizedAudio]

Wonderful! So glad to know that they are of some help. All best wishes to you, and looking forward to happier days to come for all of us!

[@bobnewmanknott3433]

A belated thank you for completing my Sunday evening , as always its such a pleasure to hear you read these classics RNK

[@sinjinmonsoon9055]

I just love this channel. I listen while i garden or at night. Just wonderful

[@BitesizedAudio]

I misread your comment at first and thought you said you garden at night! Very impressive, especially at this time of year. Thanks for listening, and for your kind words.

[@scoutrifle6827]

Every new BAC release is like a mini-Christmas!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Season's greetings - only 11 months to go! Thanks Scout Rifle

[@michielvorster6803]

Thank you Simon greetings from South Africa x

[@irenabevans3411]

Love your narrations, another gem thank you

[@barbaraprest783]

Another enjoyable tale - thank you

[@HerrCrankzy]

With all the days merging into each other I had no notion that such a pleasure awaited. Still half does because I started listening to it and after being quite engrossed decided to save it for bedtime (when the tiresome bugs of lockdown non-routine bite). Thank you in advance, as just the sound of your voice seems to contain healing powers. More so than ever I mean.

[@rattyrachel4316]

So eloquently said.

[@carolmikolj5134]

Loved this. So nice to hear the Thorndyke stories, so beautifully read.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Carol, glad you enjoyed it, I hope to do more of them in the future. Also, I've just seen that you have bought me a coffee - thanks so much for your kind support, much appreciated!

[@mijiyoon5575]

I've lost count how many times I've listened to this one ... one of my favorites👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Miji Yoon. I'm planning another story featuring these characters, I hope I'll get round to it before too long...

[@Bambisgf77]

Dear Simon, another job very well done. Thank you 😊

[@infowars.com.fakenews8663]

Never been much of a reader but love these audio books....

[@lillykay1037]

I enjoyed listening to this while doing my DIY. Thank you.

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome! I hope the DIY was successfully accomplished

[@Not00]

I want to listen to this story this evening, but they're fabulous to listen to at work when I'm alone from 6.30 - 7.30 each day.

[@BitesizedAudio]

I hope you enjoy it whenever you're able to listen! Thanks Nick

[@natalya6091]

Strike while the iron is hot.

[@Not00]

Listening update: I had it on in the car but I encountered some tricky road works and had to concentrate on that. At work, every Tom, Dick and Harry needed some assistance or advice. So I've still got it to listen to. So off to bed this evening an hour earlier. So there.

[@williamhagen2792]

Stanhope (narrator) is gifted. The story is also excellent.

[@BloobleBonker]

A real treat. Many thanks for giving a highlight to my locked-down day!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to help! Thanks Geoff

[@kimmccabe1422]

Perfect rainy day thx to Dr. Thorndike. Thank you! Anymore Thorndyke. I've heard 3-cant find more..?

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks for your comment Kim. I've only done the two Thorndykes so far (this one and 'The Naturalist at Law'), but certainly have more on my to-do list, I hope to get back to him again before too long

[@esterherschkovich6499]

For some reason up at 3am,made a cuppa+enjoying 😀 Thank you as always...

[@BitesizedAudio]

I hope you got to sleep in the end! Thanks Stella

[@ROXI-zq4fg]

Soooooo happy to see this after a long day!!! Thank you and Good night ! 🌔🌠

[@appalachianamerican7171]

Conveyed with your usual excellence Sir.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@timholt3010]

Well done. This story reminds me of “The Adventure of the Empty House” and also of Rex Stout’s “Fer-de-Lance”, both stories showcasing an ingenious murder weapon and devilish preparation to avoid legal justice.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Tim. Yes indeed, you can't beat a good locked room mystery...

[@veecee9536]

Many thanks once again for brilliant work. You make being an ageing insomniac enjoyable. May you be blessed with safe keeping and good health.

[@sarahshackford566]

I could listen to the British say the word "aluminium" all day!

[@brucebaker810]

Barenaked Ladis has a fun, eponymous song riffing on the pronunciations.

[@junestanich7888]

Another awesome presentation from Simon, thank you!

[@minvalara2765]

Wonderful performance, thankyou.

[@leriava]

I really like dr Thorndyke stories. I hope you can read others. Thank you

[@user-co7kr7sk6s]

Thank you so much for these, thoroughly enjoyable and great narration.

[@manasbose8817]

Another great story selection and narration. Thanks so much

[@njboas]

Another triumph . . . well done! Thanks for posting.

[@blixten2928]

Gorgeous reading. You are absolutely addictive.

[@sambarnard9628]

Great story. You are an incredible reader!! Thank you.

[@williamfawkes8379]

Very enjoyable, the explanation of the deductions even makes sense, which is a nice bonus.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Indeed, that's always welcome! Thanks William

[@smythharris2635]

Apparently Freeman checked the validity of the processes he describes in his stories before used them in his works.

[@auntyJanette]

A most satisfying story beautifully read as always. I confess it amuses me to realize how comfortable I am listening to these “dreadful discoveries “. I enjoyed the discovery of the weaponry... clever idea. Thank you. 😊

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks aunty, glad you enjoyed it!

[@judikingsman6132]

Wonderful as usual ❤

[@john-r-edge]

When I started listening to this I began to think that I had seen a TV series with Thorndyke a long time ago, and in Black+White. Researches via Wikipedia of the author showed there was a BBC adaptation in 1964 called "Thorndyke". And that makes sense, I would have been 10 or 11 at the time. Not sure how brains decide what to keep and what to discard.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Yes indeed, I believe the pilot was originally part of an anthology series called 'Detective' which tried out one-off episodes featuring various sleuths. Most of them weren't taken up for a full series, but it seems Thorndyke was (sadly the series is apparently now lost, though the pilot survives). Incidentally, one of the others taken up was Douglas Wilmer as Sherlock Holmes - the 'Detective' episode 'The Speckled Band' led to a full series with Wilmer as Holmes later in the 1960s. The character of Thorndyke later cropped up (in colour!) a few years later in a couple of episodes of the 70s series 'The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes'.

[@KiKiabout]

Love... Thank you!

[@brucebaker810]

Inspector Badger!! We have entered one of the Python-based timelines.

[@gamechanger416]

Excellent quality 👌🏼👍🏽👏🏻👋🙏🙌✨🧔☺️💯😎😇

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you!

[@mjrchapin]

Sherlock Holmes could not outdo this sleuth! Great story!

[@anthonyochocki6535]

LoL....LOVE, and always have, the way the English pronounce the word---Aluminum. To American ears, especially this one; 'tis a Cousin -to-Cousin, treat.

[@marcosaraiva9205]

My locked-down will be more easy for sure! Many thanks

[@BitesizedAudio]

Glad to help!

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

You are, as we say here across the pond, 'nifty'...

[@ObturatorMusic]

Yay! Thank you!

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome!

[@gmax-go3pp]

One of my favorite authors. Thank you.

[@lloydrobert6182]

It's raining outside, dark and cold. I'm in bed, warm and receptive. Could there be better circumstances to hear a masterpiece? Read by a master?

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Lloyd, very kind of you!

[@lloydrobert6182]

@@BitesizedAudio My pleasure. And thank you for everything!

[@CipherKilledit]

Wow! Keep them coming!

[@BitesizedAudio]

I'll do my best!

[@juliaogara8794]

Very much enjoyed this one. Thank you for doing what you do 😍😀

[@WadeWeigle]

A Sherlock Holmes contemporary clone. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Well done. Thank you for posting this. FYI a dagger shot from a firearm would be so ill balanced that it would tumble uncontrollably. So the one unique bit of the tale here is simple fantasy.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Interesting observations, thank you. I think of all the contemporary imitations of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Thorndyke certainly is the closest to a clone, and although (in my opinion) the writing is drier and less engaging than Conan Doyle's, the plots of his stories are rather ingenious. Regarding your last point, personally I don't have the scientific knowledge to judge in this case, but another listener has previously commented that, in their opinion as a machinist and gunsmith, this idea is actually quite plausible. In fact R. Austin Freeman was a scientist and claimed to test all his plots thoroughly to make sure they were practically possible before he wrote the story: he had an elaborate workshop set up in his home where he would carry out experiments and make tools, such as the home-made dagger in this story, to test them. He apparently took it very seriously and often followed up his stories with an essay explaining how he had verified the practicality of some of his most ingenious plots. Thanks for listening, and taking the time to comment - much appreciated.

[@JAEJourneyAroundEurope]

Fantastic 💛 Thank you🍵

[@kpcraftster6580]

Thanks - a fine story superbly narrated! Might there be any cheeky play with naming one of the characters "Leonard Wolfe" - though the homophonic future husband of Virginia had not yet published either of his first two books in 1910? (I wonder about "Horace Budge", too, given the fame of the great Ernest Alfred Thompson Wallis Budge - to whom Edith Nesbit had dedicated The Story of the Amulet four years earlier.)

[@OssamabinKenny]

Here is a little known titbit: R .A .Freeman was thinking of naming his ingenious Doctor/lawyer detective extraordinaire, Spikedam before settling on Thorndike!

[@smythharris2635]

Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke.

[@rattyrachel4316]

Interesting!

[@brucebaker810]

The early process of making aluminum was VERY expensive.

[@mjrussell414]

Well that was neato. Like an early episode of “Forensic Files” - how he investigated all of the evidence.

[@QPRTokyo]

Thank you for your hard work.😀🇬🇧

[@BitesizedAudio]

You're welcome! Thanks for listening

[@griffini19]

First class reading. You are just amazing!! Thank you so very much.

[@BitesizedAudio]

And thank you for your lovely comment!

[@griffini19]

You deserve the compliment! You are a gift to humanity. Your talent is a blessing to us. You and Mr. Wagland are the finest readers I have ever encountered. All the best to you sir!!!

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

The only criticism I have is that there aren't enough of your readings to "binge" listen to! That isn't really a criticism as I know it takes a lot of time to produce these. I've already listened to most of yours. Love your readings and thank you for them! Keep up the good work, and stay well. Greetings from Michigan, USA.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Rosie! Actually, I recently saw that I've now recorded around 50 hours worth of stories on the channel... I hope that keeps you going for a few days at least! Rest assured I have plenty more in the pipeline for the coming weeks and months. Best wishes to you

[@stewartlancaster6155]

Over 100 stories!

[@anilclobo]

A most pleasant story-telling experience.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks for listening, glad you enjoyed it!

[@dranimations7902]

I really enjoyed this story and the interesting twist to it.

[@catmomjewett]

Thanks!

[@deegeraghty9426]

Very Sherlock Holmes ! Thank you.

[@razankalifa6062]

you are a genius..I wish you can read a mystery stories..👌

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you @Razan Kalifa ... I have several more mystery/detective stories lined up for the months ahead

[@marisadallavalle393]

Thank you

[@jondaly4501]

I just read this in a collection that Martin Edwards was involved with. There was a final paragraph that was not in this reading. Omitting it isn't the end of the world, but it was an interesting comment by Thor dyke.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Ah yes, there are slightly different versions of this story. I did put a note in the video description, which you may not have seen, that this is the text as it originally appeared in the first magazine publication in 1910. Subsequent printings, in book form, were slightly revised, presumably by the author himself - this happened quite often at the time; several of the Sherlock Holmes stories have similar variations between the original Strand Magazine text and that which appeared in the later book editions. In this case there are numerous differences throughout, some minor and some, like the final paragraph, clearly more significant, but I hope it didn't impinge on your enjoyment of the story. Thanks for listening and taking the time to comment.

[@johngreene7928]

"really enjoyed that"! Particularly due to the fact that I am a machinist and gunsmith and can add that the plot is quiet plausible and quite brilliant.

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you John, glad you enjoyed it! I wonder if you'd mind making a little edit to your comment just to let people know there is a potential plot spoiler - I know some people read the comments before or while listening. Re the main part of your comment, yes indeed - Freeman was apparently known for testing every part of the plots he created, to make sure they worked in real life. He had a workshop and laboratory at home and always double checked the experiments etc that Thorndyke used.

[@johngreene7928]

@@BitesizedAudio "oh bugger", sorry bout that 🤫

[@judikingsman6132]

I googled you Simon Stanhope so I can see who's reading to me. Thank you 💖😊

[@rab7889]

Yay!

[@lyndaa7560]

Really enjoyed this & it had me guessing, once it was the monkey! Many thanks 🙏

[@eddiemunster2196]

This is my second story listening to this particular narrator. I implore you, To listen to these bite-sized audiobooks, You will enjoy them vigorously as I have. Well now I will be departing and heading back to the audiobook I really hope you take my advice and listen to them. Once you have you will be sharing advice for others to listen to them as I have in this short, message. Now, I will bid you a good day.......

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you Eddie, much appreciated!

[@saran.4001]

Love the al U min U im pronunciation. In the south here, it is pronounced AH LOU minum. Neither country discovered the the element, that was a Dane, so either way is OK. If one of those siding salesmen called me talking like Simon i might have some al U min U im on my house right now, I would be so charmed.

[@vrccim5930]

Thanks.

[@Jade77778]

thanks for this! I hadn't read anything by this author before. Interesting to compare with the Holmes stories...resemblances are obvious but the style is different...this is not like the full-blooded writing of Doyle. Neat story though, enjoyed!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks Jade. I agree, Freeman isn't as poetic or lyrical a writer as Doyle, and his style is quite dry at times. And of course Holmes was such and original creation; Thorndyke can't help but be seen to some extent as a paler imitation, though the plots of many of the stories are ingenious. I think it's interesting that both authors were medical doctors before taking up writing fiction, and judging by the stories I've read it seems that Freeman used that knowledge in his plots more frequently (and to be honest with more accuracy) than Doyle, though I certainly regard the latter as the greater all round author.

[@LucicPower]

Simon the Great, Have you ever done Ghost Stories from The Pickwick Papers.?.are they too short?

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thanks for the suggestion Jonathan. No, they're not too short (as I remember, anyway - it's a while since I read Pickwick). I've had them in mind as possibles for a while.... I'll revisit them when I have a moment and give it some thought. Best wishes

[@LucicPower]

@@BitesizedAudio You welcome, Dickens so good at ghost storied

[@natalya6091]

РИЧАРД ОСТИН ФРИМЭН Британский писатель Автор Детективов R AUSTIN FREEMAN

[@brunogarcia6506]

I'm wondering when you'll do a collaboration with Horrorbabble! Would be unbelievable!

[@BitesizedAudio]

Thank you, a couple of other people have made the suggestion. I'm not quite sure how collaborations of that kind work, especially in these current difficult times, but I'd certainly be interested in doing so in theory. I've got quite a busy workload at the moment, complicated by the lockdown, but I shall make a note to reach out to them when things calm down a little

[@rattyrachel4316]

Why change anything!?

[@laykayd5878]

yes i like book

[@natalya6091]

38 : 52 ...and the last straw w a s l a i d.... IDIOM Последней каплей было...

[@natalya6091]

R Austin Freeman " Око Озириса" Dear Simon, I have just read this book in Russian. Do you have this one in English? Cheers.

[@paulbennett772]

Note the number of 'I's in the title and pronounce them both

[@BitesizedAudio]

I think I did...

[@sittnknittnwatchn3980]

💙📚🎙💙

[@veritas6335]

It's aluminum, not aluminIum.

[@BitesizedAudio]

It really isn't, for British English speakers. We always pronounce five syllables AL-u-min-i-um, whereas modern American speakers only pronounce four. The metal was named by British scientists Sir Humphrey Davy and Thomas Young, I believe, and the "ium" ending was standard for scientists globally, including in the US, in the 19th century, with the "um" ending as an acceptable alternative. Apparently for some reason the "um" spelling was chosen by Webster for his dictionary, and by the end of the 19th century that had become standard in American English, but it's never taken over here in the UK...

[@natalya6091]

The early bird catches the worm But the lately bird catches the diabolo Кто рано встает, Тому Бог подает Russian proverb 36 05

[@TealCheetah]

Spoiler . . . . . . Did I understand correctly that the killer shot a knife out of a gun?

[@BitesizedAudio]

@Vee Dragon - yes indeed, that's correct. A specially made dagger, with aluminium hilt made for lightness, and a specific old French rifle. R. Austin Freeman was known to try out all his plot devices in advance (he had a special workshop at his house for the purpose!) so presumably the idea was practically possible...