The Cask · Chapter
XXVII: La Touche’s Dilemma explained
La Touche, unable to sleep, devises a new strategy to find the carter who delivered the cask.
What happens
La Touche, unable to sleep, devises a new strategy to find the carter who delivered the cask. He sends circular letters to carting establishments and hires porters to identify the man. Meanwhile, he learns from Clifford that the police have discovered Felix's past relationship with Mme. Boirac and that Inspector Burnley has found the carter who moved the cask in London. La Touche then focuses on proving Boirac's guilt, first by confirming a scar on Boirac's hand, then by breaking the alibi with the help of a waiter and an apothecary who recall Boirac's presence at a café on a specific date. He arranges for Hill to come to Paris to potentially identify Boirac.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
La Touche uses false names, disguises, and circulars to deceive potential informants and suspects.
Crime and Investigation
The chapter details La Touche's investigative methods: tracing the carter, confirming Boirac's scar, and breaking the alibi.
Identity and Mistaken Identity
La Touche seeks to identify the carter and confirm Boirac's identity as the man seen by Hill; Hill is disguised to avoid recognition.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Georges La Touche
Devises a new plan to find the carter, confirms Boirac's scar, and breaks the alibi.
- M. Boirac
Observed by La Touche; scar on his hand confirmed; alibi broken by establishing his presence at Charenton café on March 29.
- Mr. Felix
Mentioned as the accused man on whose behalf La Touche is working; his past relationship with Mme. Boirac has been discovered by police.
- Clifford
Sends La Touche a letter updating him on police discoveries and later arranges for Hill to travel to Paris.
- Inspector Burnley
Reported to have found the carter who moved the cask from Waterloo to Charing Cross.
- John Hill
Ex-policeman brought to Paris to potentially identify Boirac; given a disguise for the task.
Key passages
“The fault of these advertisements was that they had appealed to the wrong people. Instead of appealing to the carter, could his associates not be approached?”
La Touche realized the ads were ineffective because they targeted the carter directly; he decided to reach out to the carter's employer or colleagues instead.
La Touche's strategic shift in investigation.
“Here at last is certainty,” thought the detective, as he drew back out of the other’s sight. “So Boirac is the man after all! My work is done!””
La Touche felt confident that Boirac was guilty after seeing the scar on his hand, but then worried that the alibi still posed a problem.
Moment of apparent certainty followed by doubt.
“I can recollect the date now, monsieur. Madame had occasion to go to Paris to see her solicitor on business, and a note of the date was kept. It was Monday, the 29th of March last.”
The apothecary, after consulting his wife, confirmed that the bearded man was at the café on March 29, breaking Boirac's alibi.
Key evidence that undermines Boirac's alibi.