The arrival of the Assistant Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the C.I.D. , accompanied by Labar’s immediate superior, Detective Superintendent Marlow⁠—one of that select company the newspapers loved to refer to as the “Big Four”⁠—broke into the conversation.

Gertstein shook hands with the three. “I hope you won’t agree with your inspector that the case is hopeless⁠—that I shall never see any of my beautiful things back,” he said sourly.

Winter shot a swift glance at Labar, who straightened his back with a brave attempt at nonchalance. It was the Assistant Commissioner who answered.

“Nothing is ever hopeless, Mr. Gertstein. I am sure that you have misapprehended Mr. Labar’s views.”