Inspector French's Greatest Case Read Online Free

sent him home. But as he passed out of the room he whispered to one of his men, who promptly nodded and also disappeared. French turned to Mr. Duke.
    â€œThat seems a straightforward young fellow,” he observed. “What is your opinion of him?”
    â€œAbsolutely straightforward.” The acting partner spoke with decision. “He has been with me for over four years, and I have always found him most conscientious and satisfactory. Indeed, I have been very fortunate in my whole staff. I think I could say the same of them all.”
    â€œI congratulate you, Mr. Duke. Perhaps now you would tell me something about your firm and your various employees.”
    Mr. Duke, though still extremely agitated, was controlling his emotion and answered in calm tones.
    â€œThe business is not a large one, and at the present time is virtually controlled by myself. Peabody, though not so old as I am, has been troubled by bad health and has more or less gone to pieces. He seldom comes to the office, and never undertakes any work. The junior partner, Sinnamond, is travelling in the East, and has been for some months. We carry on the usual trade of diamond merchants, and have a small branch establishment in Amsterdam. Indeed, I divide my own time almost equally between London and Amsterdam. We occupy only these two rooms which you have seen. Our staff in the outer office consists, or rather consisted, of five, a chief and confidential clerk, the poor man who has just been killed, 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.
    â€œNow 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.
    â€œI 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.”
    â€œI’m glad to hear you say that, Mr. Duke,” the other returned smoothly. “Now, then, your office staff eliminated, tell me is there any one that you suspect?”
    â€œNot a creature!” Mr. Duke was equally emphatic. “Not a single creature! I can’t imagine any one who would have done such a thing. I wish I could.”
    The Inspector hesitated.
    â€œOf 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 any one into trouble.”
    Mr. Duke smiled grimly.
    â€œYou needn’t be afraid. If I had any suspicion I should be only too glad to tell you, but I have none.”
    â€œWhen, sir, did you last see your late clerk?”
    â€œAbout 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.”
    â€œAnd you did not return to the office?”
    â€œNo. 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 worth while going back to my own office, so I went straight from Peters’ to the club.
    â€œAnd you did not notice anything peculiar about Mr. Gething?”
    â€œNot specially on that night. He seemed