It was a voice Fatty knew well. He listened in delighted surprise.
“Inspector Jenks! Golly, I am glad to hear you!”
Inspector Jenks Takes Charge
The torch flashed into Fatty’s face again.
“You know me?” said Inspector Jenks’ voice. “Who are you?”
The Inspector did not recognize Fatty in his curious disguise. Also Fatty was now extremely black and dirty, and looked more like a negro than himself.
“I’m Frederick Trotteville,” said Fatty. “I’m - er - disguised, Inspector, that’s all.”
“Quiet, now,” said the Inspector, and pulled Fatty into a field beyond the hedge. “Talk in a whisper. What are you doing here? The others telephoned to me and told me enough to puzzle me. I can’t say I thought very much of their story, but I came over to see what was up.”
“Good!” said Fatty. “The others guessed then that I had written a secret message, and they read it.”
“Yes,” said Inspector Jenks. “Well, as I said, I came over as soon as I could by car, and after I had heard what the others had to say, I went to see Mr. Goon. I wanted to see if he knew anything about this, because it was quite likely he did, and hadn’t told you.”