Jupiter shook his head. "We keep a record of what we buy, Mr. Marechal,
and from whom, but we don't keep a record of our customers. So many
people come here and buy just on thing, and we all sell. Konrad, one
of our helpers, thinks he sold all the paintings to one man, but
he can't remember who. I don't think any of us will remember the
customers."
"This is very unfortunate, boys," the Countess said.
"Can't you locate the things somehow?" Mr. Marechal said.
"Glass!" the Second Investigator said. "The leopard's in a big
glass cage. We're so close to the glass, we can't see it. That
whole clearing is inside a glass cage!"
"Of course it is," the red-bearded man said behind them. "You
didn't think anyone would let an African leopard roam loose
in Rocky Beach, did you?"
"I... guess we weren't thinking," said Jupe.
"No," Jupiter said. "Not De Groot. Arrest the Countess!"
For a moment, they were all struck dumb.
"That is a poor joke, Jupiter," the Countess said.
Jupiter shook his head. "It's not a joke, Countess. You were trying
to escape with the paintings. You knew that if the painting was
investigated, you would never get it. In fact, you might even
go to prison! De Groot was trying to stop you!"
