# Disappointment explained — The Cask > Chapter companion for The Cask by Freeman Wills Crofts. ## What happens La Touche travels to Paris to investigate Boirac's alibi, systematically rechecking Lefarge's work. He interviews the waiter at Charenton, François, and M. Dufresne, but each confirms Boirac's statements. Despite his thoroughness, La Touche finds no way to break the alibi, and his shadowing of Boirac yields nothing suspicious. Disappointed, he begins to doubt the outcome of his investigation. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Appearance La Touche suspects the alibi might be a clever deception, but all appearances confirm Boirac's truthfulness, deepening the mystery. ### Crime and Investigation The chapter focuses on La Touche's systematic investigation, rechecking evidence and pursuing leads like the typewriter and the carter. ### Justice and Innocence La Touche's efforts to break the alibi are driven by a desire to either prove Boirac's guilt or free an innocent man, but the outcome remains uncertain. ## Character check-ins ### Mr. Georges La Touche The detective leading the investigation; methodically rechecks Boirac's alibi but grows disappointed as all evidence confirms it. ### M. Boirac The pump manufacturer whose alibi is under scrutiny; all witnesses confirm his telephone calls and presence at Charenton. ### M. Lefarge The predecessor detective whose investigation La Touche is checking; his findings are consistently confirmed. ### François Boirac's butler; confirms Boirac's telephone message and the day as Tuesday, and is genuinely grieved at Felix's arrest. ### M. Dufresne Chief clerk at the Avrotte Pump Construction Company; confirms Boirac's telephone call at 2:30 on Tuesday. ### Clifford La Touche's employer; receives a detailed report of the disappointing proceedings. ## Key lines > He turned to what he considered the central feature of the case⁠—the finding of the body in the cask⁠—and began to separate in his mind the facts actually known about it from those assumed. La Touche focused on the discovery of the body in the cask, distinguishing confirmed facts from assumptions. _Highlights La Touche's analytical approach to the case._ > It was beginning to look very much as if the alibi could not be broken, and he was unable for the moment to see his next step in the matter. The alibi seemed unshakeable, leaving La Touche uncertain of how to proceed. _Captures the chapter's theme of disappointment and stalled progress._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cask_se/chapters/xxv-disappointment - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cask_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_cask_se/chapters