The Fort Vale Police Department’s Internet bulletin lists an unusual distinction in the mattress-tag break-ins: residents still have their valuables, but someone entered their homes without permission.

The department asks residents to leave affected bedding undisturbed. That request also applies to people who believe the missing labels prove something much larger.

In the church-donation inquiry, money gathered during a later collection is being kept separate from the original reported shortage. In the woods, a search for a reported figure is being kept separate from a conclusion about what the figure is.

The common instruction is to describe what was observed. Wong Gai has supplied descriptions and conclusions. Chief Hootie is maintaining the distinction.