"There was only one clue that wasn't any good," said
Larry, pulling out his match-box with the bit of grey flannel in. "We never found any Suspect with a grey flannel coat, and a tiny bit torn out of it"
"Well, if you don't mind my saying so, I have an idea that I can explain that clue," said the big Inspector, looking wise.
"Oh, do tell us," said Bets.
The Inspector pulled Larry to him, swung him round, and showed the others a tiny tear in his grey flannel jacket, just by the arm-pit at the back.
"That's where your bit of grey cloth came from!" he said, with a deep chuckle. "You all got through that gap in the hedge when you went to find footprints, didn't you? And Larry must have caught himself a bit on a prickle - and the boy behind him spotted the bit of grey rag on the twig and thought it was a clue! Good thing you didn't see that Larry's coat was torn, or you might have written him down as a Suspect too!"
The children laughed. "However was it that nobody noticed Larry's coat was a bit torn?" said Bets, astonished. "Well - to think of all the things we found out -and we didn't find that out!"
"Good-bye," said the Inspector, getting into his car. "Thanks for your help. It's a very satisfactory ending, as I'm sure you will agree with me!"
"Rather!" said every one. "Good-bye! It was a bit of luck meeting you!"
The car roared off up the lane. The children turned back into the garden.