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Williaiven to those who, like Fred, could smell a crime even before it took place

Fred let out an exaggerated sigh ‘Mrs Perkins’s insurance company must have paid up, so she’s now the proud owner of a new television and VCR But what she doesn’t know is that a burglar often returns to the scene of the crime a feeeks later, well aware there will probably be a brand-new TV set for the the fact All the villain has to do is wait until she goes out one evening to visit her friend Mrs Cassidy at number ninety-one, then pop back in and rob her a second time’

‘So what should we do?’ asked William

‘Have a quiet ith her, and suggest she destroys the evidence,’ said Fred as he knocked on the door of No 23 Mrs Perkins answered almost immediately, and once Fred had explained o police on her doorstep, she hastily removed the boxes, thanked him, and offered them a cup of tea

‘That’s good of you, Mrs Perkins, but I’d better get on’ He touched the rim of his helmet before they continued on their round

‘When do you start your new job?’ Fred asked after they’d walked a few more yards

‘I’ to Scotland Yard on the first of October’

‘Lots of pretty girls in Italy, I’m told’

‘Most of them framed’

‘Framed?’

‘In gold’

Fred laughed ‘I’ve never been to Italy, or even Scotland Yard for that ot the finest snooker room in the Met’

‘I’ll come back and tell you what it’s like’

‘You’ll never co on what I expect will be a very long ladder But be warned, on your way up you’ll come across plenty of snakes who’ll be only too happy to send you back down a ladder, and so a shop door to make sure it was locked

William chuckled Never a shift went by when he didn’t learn so from Fred