The Cheyne Mystery · Chapter
XIII: Inspector French Takes Charge explained
Cheyne meets Inspector French, who takes charge of the case.
What happens
Cheyne meets Inspector French, who takes charge of the case. French listens to Cheyne's full story and immediately prioritizes finding Joan Merrill. They raid Earlswood but find the gang has fled. French then visits Speedwell, who reveals he was not truly employed by the gang but used a business expedient to extract money from Cheyne. Speedwell agrees to share his information. The search continues to Sime's address in Putney, where they find signs of a recent hasty departure.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Identity
Speedwell admits his entire story to Cheyne was a lie, a 'business expedient,' highlighting the theme of deception.
Adventure and Detection
Inspector French takes charge, organizing raids and using detective work to track the gang, advancing the adventure and detection plot.
Trust and Betrayal
Cheyne trusted Speedwell and paid him for information, only to discover Speedwell was not genuine, illustrating betrayal.
Characters to notice
- Maxwell Cheyne
Relates his entire adventure to Inspector French, expresses fear for Joan Merrill's safety, and accompanies French on raids.
- Inspector French
Takes charge of the case, listens to Cheyne's story, organizes raids on Earlswood and Sime's address, and interrogates Speedwell.
- Joan Merrill
Missing and feared in danger; her safety is the primary concern of the investigation.
- Mr. Speedwell
Reveals that his earlier story to Cheyne was a business expedient, not the truth; agrees to share his knowledge with French.
- Charles Sime
One of the gang members; has fled from Earlswood, and his Putney address is searched.
- M. Dangle
Another gang member; has fled from Earlswood along with Sime.
Key passages
“I am Inspector French. You wish to consult us? Now just sit down there and tell me your trouble, and we’ll do what we can for you.”
Inspector French introduces himself and invites Cheyne to explain his problem.
French's welcoming manner sets Cheyne at ease.
“I don’t understand you. Do you mean that that tale you told me was a lie, and that you weren’t employed by these people to find the man who burgled their house?”
Cheyne confronts Speedwell, accusing him of lying about being hired by the gang.
Cheyne realizes Speedwell deceived him for money.
“A little business expedient, sir, merely an ordinary little business expedient. It would be a foolish man who would not display his wares to the best advantage.”
Speedwell defends his deception as a standard business tactic.
Speedwell admits his story was fabricated to extract payment from Cheyne.