Chapter 11 Section 10

August 10 "That's the end of my leave," Inspector Barto said wearily. Mrs. Bartow was disappointed, but as a police officer's wife for so many years, she had learned how to accept disappointment. "Oh," she said, "it's impossible. An interesting case, I suppose?" "It's not very interesting when you think about it," said Chief Inspector Bardot. "Officials in the Foreign Office are shaking their legs with fright - those tall, thin young men are going around like headless chickens telling people to keep quiet." .No big deal, it can be resolved without much fuss—and save everyone's face. But it's not a case I'd write about in my memoir, if I was stupid enough to do so."

"Our vacation can be extended, I think—" Batu hesitated a lot before her husband interrupted her resolutely. "Nothing like that. You and the boys go to Brilington--rooms were booked back in March--it would be a shame not to. As for me--I'll go to James's when it's over. Take a week off." James was the nephew of the Chief Inspector of Bartle, Inspector James Leach. "Shaldingtown is quite close to Tung Tou Bay and Yanpu," he continued, "I can enjoy some sea breeze and soak in the sea water." Mrs. Bardot snorted. "I think it's more likely that he arrested you and helped him handle the case!"

"They don't have a case at a time like this--unless it's some women's petty case. Besides, James's pretty good--his brain's not rusted, he doesn't need to be sharpened for him." "Oh, well," said Mrs. Bardot, "I suppose that's all right, but it's always a disappointment." "This kind of thing is here to test us," the elder Inspector Ba Tuo repeated.