# A Deal in Stocks explained — Inspector French’s Greatest Case

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

## What happens

Inspector French investigates a stock transaction list found in Mrs. Vane's letter, consulting a stockbroker friend who reveals the list does not add up and appears fraudulent. French realizes the figures may be a cipher, decodes them using a Concise Oxford Dictionary, and discovers a warning message: 'French on your track. Rendezvous Victory Hotel, Leeds. If I fail take your own ticket. Boat leaves on twenty-sixth.' He realizes the boat has already left that day.

## Themes in this chapter

### Detective Method and Logical Deduction

French systematically tests the stock list, consults an expert, and decodes the cipher using logical reasoning.

### Deception and Identity

The stock list is a fraudulent front for a hidden message, concealing the true identities and plans of the Vanes.

## Character check-ins

### Inspector French

Decodes the stock list as a cipher, deducing the escape plan.

### George Hewett

Stockbroker friend who identifies the list as fraudulent and not adding up.

### Mrs. Henry Vane

Recipient of the coded message warning her of French's pursuit.

### Mr. Vane

Presumed sender of the cipher message and suspected murderer.

## Key lines

> I think the whole thing is just a blooming fraud. And do you know what makes me sure of it? ... It doesn't add. Those figures at the bottom are not the sum of the lines.

Hewett declares the stock list is a fraud because the totals are incorrect.

_Key moment where the list is revealed as not genuine._

> French on your track. Rendezvous Victory Hotel, Leeds. If I fail take your own ticket. Boat leaves on twenty-sixth.

The decoded message warns Mrs. Vane that French is following and instructs her to meet at the Victory Hotel in Leeds and sail on the 26th.

_The decoded cipher reveals the escape plan._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/inspector_french_s_greatest_case_se/chapters/xvii-a-deal-in-stocks
- 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