# II: The Firm of Duke and Peabody explained — Inspector French’s Greatest Case

> Chapter companion for Inspector French’s Greatest Case by Freeman Wills Crofts.

## What happens

Inspector French interviews Mr. Duke and the clerk Orchard about the murder of Charles Gething. Mr. Duke describes the firm's structure and staff, expresses full confidence in Gething, and reveals the mystery of the safe key. Orchard provides a clear account of his evening, and French discovers evidence including a filed key, a stoked fire, and a bloodstained poker with a white hair, leading him to consider Gething or Orchard as suspects.

## Themes in this chapter

### Detective Method and Logical Deduction

French systematically examines evidence such as the filed key, stoked fire, and bloodstained poker, using fingerprints and deductive reasoning.

### Deception and Identity

The mystery of the safe key and the possibility that Gething or Orchard may be deceiving others about their involvement.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Mr. Duke's confidence in his staff contrasts with the evidence pointing to Gething's possible guilt and the hidden crime.

## Character check-ins

### Inspector French

Conducts interviews and examines the crime scene, noting key evidence.

### Mr. Duke

Senior partner, provides details about the firm and staff, expresses confidence in Gething.

### Mr. Orchard

Clerk who discovered the body, gives a clear statement about his evening.

### Charles Gething

Murdered clerk, described as depressed recently, suspected of possible involvement.

### Mr. Vanderkemp

Outside man and traveller for the firm, mentioned as part of the staff.

### Mr. Stanley Harrington

Young man qualifying for a partnership, mentioned as part of the staff.

## Key lines

> The 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.

Mr. Duke explains that the firm is small and he effectively runs it, as Peabody is unwell and rarely involved.

_Mr. Duke describes the firm's structure to French._

> I am positive he was not... I should as soon accuse my own son, if I had one. No, I'd stake my life on it, Gething was no thief.

Mr. Duke firmly insists that Gething was honest and not involved in the theft.

_Mr. Duke defends Gething's character._

> Why, the key, of course. To my certain knowledge there were only two keys in existence. One I keep on my ring, which is chained to my belt and never leaves me day nor night. There it is. The other is lodged with my bankers, where no one could possibly get at it. Now, where did the thief get the key that is now in the lock?

Mr. Duke is puzzled because the safe key found in the lock should not have been accessible to anyone.

_The mystery of the safe key is introduced._

> So that's it, is it?... Manufacturers don't leave keys of valuable safes half finished. This one has been cut with a file, and probably,—an amateur at that.

French deduces that the safe key was filed down by an amateur, suggesting a copy was made.

_French examines the key and concludes it was tampered with._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/ii-the-firm-of-duke-and-peabody
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters