Chapter 42

Bruce read the report.

…it appears that the art was removed through a window sometime
during the night of September 28th between midnight and 6 AM.

It had rained during the night and it is believed that the noise of the thunder might have muffled the sound of the entry. There were no prints on the interior and bicycle tracks were found In the mud below a window. The tracks of the bicycle went south.

It was signed by the investigating officer.

Things Get Complicated

In Bruce's mind, things were getting complicated. It seemed unnatural that someone should enter the Chateau, steal a picture from its frame, return the frame with a poor copy to the wall, depart, disappear and that there would be no trace and a very flimsy police report.

"I think we ought to return home. I'd like to see some people in a few other towns and I'd like to go back to Montignac."

Marie-Claude looked surprised. "But what's in Montignac? We found nothing in the report."

Bruce frowned. "Maybe. But I'd like to speak to the detective again. I want to see two more people. One is in Sarlat and the other is in Perigeux. Is a trip like that possible?"

"Of course. We can be home today and leave again tomorrow."

Returning Via Brantome...

Bruce thought for a moment. "Is there any way we can return via Brantome. I have an idea and I'd like to talk to Dr. Biot again."

"We can be there at the end of the day. But we might be better off staying in Brantome overnight. We can start by going to Perigeux in the morning, stop off at Hautefort for a change of clothing and perhaps a change of car. Then we can leave for Montignac in the early afternoon. Maybe Constantin would like to join us."

(Click here for Chapter 43)