Inspector French’s Greatest Case · Chapter
Sylvia and Harrington explained
Inspector French intensifies his interrogation of Harrington and Sylvia Duke, probing their movements on the night of the murder.
What happens
Inspector French intensifies his interrogation of Harrington and Sylvia Duke, probing their movements on the night of the murder. He confronts Harrington about stopping the taxi near Hatton Garden and later questions Sylvia about her distress and the postponement of her wedding. Both stick to their stories—Harrington claiming he chased a girl Sylvia spotted, and Sylvia insisting the murder alone upset her. French develops a theory that they may have seen Vanderkemp near the crime scene, but both deny it, leaving him frustrated and the case unsolved.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Identity
Both Harrington and Sylvia Duke conceal the true reason for their stop at Hatton Garden, and French suspects they are hiding vital information about the crime.
Detective Method and Logical Deduction
French constructs and tests theories based on circumstantial evidence, such as the possibility that the couple saw Vanderkemp, demonstrating his deductive process.
Characters to notice
- Inspector French
Presses Harrington and Sylvia Duke with pointed questions about their movements on the night of the murder, developing and then discarding a theory involving Vanderkemp.
- Mr. Stanley Harrington
Strenuously denies being present at the office on the fatal night and explains the Hatton Garden stop as an attempt to chase a girl Sylvia pointed out.
- Sylvia Duke
Shows apprehension under French's questioning, insists the murder alone upset her, and refuses to explain the postponement of her wedding.
- Mr. Vanderkemp
Mentioned in French's theory as possibly seen by Harrington and Sylvia near the crime scene, though both deny it.
- Charles Gething
His murder is the central event that upsets Sylvia and drives French's investigation.
Key passages
“Suppose that on the stop near Hatton Garden, Harrington had mentioned that he wanted for some purpose to call at the office, or suppose Miss Duke had asked him to do so, and that he had left her for that purpose.”
French speculates that Harrington might have used the stop as an excuse to visit the office, or that Sylvia asked him to go there.
French's initial theory about the Hatton Garden stop.
“I quite admit that I left Miss Duke near the end of Hatton Garden, but I don't admit that that was in any way inconsistent with what I told you.”
Harrington acknowledges he parted from Sylvia near Hatton Garden but insists this does not contradict his earlier statements.
Harrington's defensive response to French's questioning.
“The flash of apprehension returned to her eyes, and then once again the look of relief.”
Sylvia's fear briefly shows in her eyes before she appears relieved, suggesting she is hiding something.
French observes Sylvia's emotional reactions during the interview.