Inspector French’s Greatest Case. Freeman Crofts Wills

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СКАЧАТЬ a young man called Harrington, who is qualifying for a partnership, Orchard, a girl typist, and an office boy. Besides them, we employ an outside man, a traveller, a Dutchman named Vanderkemp. He attends sales and so on, and when not on the road works in the Amsterdam branch.’

      Inspector French noted all the information Mr Duke could give about each of the persons mentioned.

      ‘Now this Mr Gething,’ he resumed. ‘You say he has been with you for over twenty years, and that you had full confidence in him, but I must ask the question, Are you sure that your confidence was not misplaced? In other words, are you satisfied that he was not himself after your diamonds?’

      Mr Duke shook his head decisively.

      ‘I am positive he was not,’ he declared warmly and with something of indignation showing in his manner. ‘I should as soon accuse my own son, if I had one. No, I’d stake my life on it, Gething was no thief.’

      ‘I’m glad to hear you say that, Mr Duke,’ the other returned smoothly. ‘Now, then, your office staff eliminated, tell me is there anyone that you suspect?’

      ‘Not a creature!’ Mr Duke was equally emphatic. ‘Not a single creature! I can’t imagine anyone who would have done such a thing. I wish I could.’

      The inspector hesitated.

      ‘Of course, sir, you understand that if you were to mention a name it would not in any way bias me against that person. It would only mean that I should make inquiries. Don’t think you would be getting anyone into trouble.’

      Mr Duke smiled grimly.

      ‘You needn’t be afraid. If I had any suspicion I should be only too glad to tell you, but I have none.’

      ‘When, sir, did you last see your late clerk?’

      ‘About half-past four this evening. I left the office at that time, about an hour earlier than usual, because I had a business appointment for a quarter to five with Mr Peters, of Lincoln’s Inn, my solicitor.’

      ‘And you did not return to the office?’

      ‘No. I sat with Mr Peters for about half an hour, then as my business was not finished and he wanted to square up for the night, we decided to dine together at my club in Gower Street. It was not worthwhile going back to my own office, so I want straight from Peters’ to the club.’

      ‘And you did not notice anything peculiar about Mr Gething?’

      ‘Not specially on that night. He seemed absolutely as usual.’

      ‘How do you mean, not specially on that night?’

      ‘He had been, I thought, a little depressed for two or three weeks previously, as if he had some trouble on his mind. I asked when first I noticed it if there was anything wrong, but he murmured something about home troubles, about his wife not being so well—she is a chronic invalid. He was not communicative, and I did not press the matter. But he was no worse this afternoon than during the last fortnight.’

      ‘I see. Now, what brought him back to the office tonight?’

      Mr Duke made a gesture of bewilderment.

      ‘I have no idea,’ he declared. ‘There was nothing! Nothing, at least, that I know of or can imagine. We were not specially busy, and as far as I can think, he was well up to date with his work.’

      ‘Is there a postal delivery between half-past four and the time your office closes?’

      ‘There is, and of course there might have been a telegram or a caller or a note delivered by hand. But suppose there had been something important enough to require immediate attention, Gething would never have taken action without consulting me. He had only to ring me up.’

      ‘He knew where you were, then?’

      ‘No, but he could have rung up my home. They knew there where I was, as when I had decided to dine at the club, I ’phoned home to say so.’

      ‘But were you in your club all the evening? Excuse my pressing the matter, but I think it’s important to make sure the man did not try to communicate with you.’

      ‘I see your point. Yes, I stayed chatting with Mr Peters until almost 9.30. Then, feeling tired from a long day’s thought about business, I decided a little exercise would be pleasant, and I walked home. I reached my house a minute or two after ten.’

      ‘That seems conclusive. All the same, sir, I think you should make sure when you reach home that no call was made.’

      ‘I shall do so certainly, but my parlourmaid is very reliable in such matters, and I am certain she would have told me of any.’

      Inspector French sat for a few seconds lost in thought, and then began on another point.

      ‘You tell me that you had £33,000 worth of diamonds in the safe. Is not that an unusually large amount to keep in an office?’

      ‘You are quite right; it is too large. I consider myself very much to blame, both for that and in the matter of the insurance. But I had not meant to keep the stones there long. Indeed, negotiations for the sale of the larger portion were actually in progress. On the other hand, it is due to myself to point out that the safe is of a very efficient modern pattern.’

      ‘That is so, sir. Now can you tell me who, besides yourself, knew of the existence of those stones?’

      ‘I’m afraid,’ Mr Duke admitted despondently, ‘there was no secret about it. Gething knew, of course. He was entirely in my confidence about such matters. Vanderkemp, my outdoor man, knew that I had made some heavy purchases recently, as he not only conducted the negotiations, but personally brought the stones to the office. Besides, there were letters about them, accessible to all the staff. I am afraid you may take it that everyone in the office knew there was a lot of stuff there, though probably not the exact amount.’

      ‘And the staff may have talked to outsiders. Young people will brag, especially if they are “keeping company,” as the Irish say.’

      ‘I fear that is so,’ Mr Duke agreed, as if deprecating the singular habits of the young.

      The inspector changed his position uneasily, and his hand stole to his pipe. But he checked himself and resumed his questioning. He obtained from Mr Duke a detailed list of the missing stones, then turned to a new point.

      ‘About that thousand pounds in notes. I suppose you haven’t got the numbers?’

      ‘No, unfortunately. But the bank might know them.’

      ‘We shall inquire. Now, Mr Duke, about the key. That is another singular thing.’

      ‘It is an amazing thing. I absolutely cannot understand where it came from. As I said, this one never leaves, nor has left, my personal possession, and the other, the only other one, is equally inaccessible in my bank.’

      ‘You always personally opened or closed the safe?’

      ‘Always, or at least it was done by my instructions and in my presence.’

      ‘Oh, well, that is not СКАЧАТЬ