"They wrote the worst insult they knew," said Robert wryly. "I suppose you haven't got the culprits?"
"No, sir. I just came along on my evening beat to clear away the usual gapers-oh, yes, there were dozens of them-and found it like that when I arrived. Two men in a car, if all reports are true."
"Do the Sharpes know about it?"
"Yes, I had to get in to telephone. We have a code now, us and the Franchise people. I tie my handkerchief on the end of my truncheon and wave it over the top of the gate when I want to speak to them. Do you want to go in, sir?"
"No. No, on the whole I think not. I'll get the Post Office to let me through on the telephone. No need to bring them to the gate. If this is going to continue they must get keys for the gate so that I can have a duplicate."
"Looks as though it's going to continue all right, sir. Did you see today's Ack-Emma!"
"I did."
"Strewth!" said the Force, losing his equanimity at the thought of the Ack-Emma, "you would think to listen to them we were nothing but a collection of itching palms! It's a holy wonder we're not, come to that. It would suit them better to agitate for more pay for us instead of slandering us right and left."
"You're in very good company, if it's any consolation to you," Robert said. "There can't be anything established, respectable, or praiseworthy that they haven't slandered at some time or other. I'll send someone either tonight or first thing in the morning to do something about this-obscenity. Are you staying here?"
"The sergeant said when I telephoned that I was to stay till dark."