Fingerprints And Dinner Mints

The philosophers soon reach the lighthouse.

Sweezus knocks on the door.

After some time the door opens.

We're closed today, says Captain Baudin. 

It's us, says Sweezus. Did you get the thermometer?

Captain Baudin peers at the visitors. 

Why do you want to know?

We need a receipt, says Sweezus. Saint Roley didn't get one.

You want to see Captain du Couedic, says Captain Baudin.

I thought you were him, says Sweezus.

An easy mistake, says Captain Baudin. We are both sea captains.

And both lobsters, says Victor. 

Come up, says Captain Baudin.

They trail up the stairs.

Captain du Couedic is sitting in an arm chair, gazing at the ocean, through a window.

He turns around.

Them again! 

We're closed, today, says Captain du Couedic.

We know, says Sweezus. We just want....

Victor interrupts him.

We're here on police business, says Victor. May I see the thermometer?

The replacement thermometer? asks Captain du Couedic. 

If that's what you call it, says Victor. Where is it?

Here, says Captain du Couedic. He points to the table. 

On the table are plates of French crumbs, broken cracker biscuits, smears of fish paste, several olive stones, a few dirty feathers, and a thermometer sitting askew in a glass of clear liquid.

Methylated spirits, says Captain du Couedic. I'm attempting to clean it.

Arthur picks up the feathers. They are his. They had stuck to the thermometer, when it was in his pocket.

Victor picks up the thermometer, and examines it.

Do you have proof of ownership of this item?

Such as? asks Captain du Couedic.

A receipt, says Victor.

No, says Captain du Couedic. But I have a receipt for the one that was broken.

Can you produce it? asks Victor.

What use will that be? asks Kierkegaard. You don't suspect that one was stolen.

STOLEN! cries Captain du Couedic. If this thermometer was stolen then I shall return it! 

He lifts the thermometer from the glass of methylated spirits.

And hands it to Victor.

Victor puts it into a plastic bag that he keeps handy for evidence.

It may still have fingerprints on it.

Coffee, anyone? asks Captain du Couedic. And there's bound to be dinner mints, somewhere.