"What were you saying, major?" asked the Head of the Police, coming out of the bedroom just as he finished. "But first—what's this?"
He held out the oval of silver-overlaid coral, and Trent explained how he had found it.
"Some sort of native charm, I dare say," observed Merriton. "Tell me about this Chatterjee."
When Trent had retold his story, the Head of the Police enquired:
"Where's the telephone? Ah! I see it!"
It was nearly midnight when Colonel Urqhart and Merriton prepared to leave.
"Major," said Trent's commanding officer, "you'd better get some sleep. Eckard and Gerrish will remain to—"
"Sleep?" echoed Trent.
"You'll need it if you're going in the morning—and you are going? Orders, y' know. There's nothing you can do here. I'll personally attend to everything."