The Pit-Prop Syndicate · Chapter
VII: The Ferriby Depot explained
Merriman and Hilliard travel to the Ferriby depot to investigate the syndicate's operations.
What happens
Merriman and Hilliard travel to the Ferriby depot to investigate the syndicate's operations. They observe the isolated depot and a nearby distillery, discuss smuggling possibilities, and later return at night to explore the wharf. They discover an empty barrel that could serve as a hidden observation post to watch for the Girondin's unloading. They finalize a plan to take turns hiding in the barrel to uncover the truth.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Truth
The friends spy on the depot and plan a hidden observation post to uncover the syndicate's secret activities.
Danger and Risk
The plan to hide in a barrel for 24-hour shifts involves physical hardship and the risk of discovery.
Deception and Appearance
The depot appears ordinary but may conceal smuggling; the distillery's proximity is debated as either coincidence or design.
Characters to notice
- Merriman
Leads the investigation, proposes the barrel hiding scheme, motivated by freeing Madeleine Coburn.
- Claud Hilliard
Accompanies Merriman, skeptical about the distillery clue, agrees to the barrel plan, driven by desire for kudos.
Key passages
““Why, Ferriby’s not in the town at all,” he exclaimed after he had studied it for some moments. “It’s up the river—must be seven or eight miles up by the look of it; the North-Eastern runs through it and there’s a station. We’d better go out there and prospect.””
Hilliard notes that Ferriby is several miles upriver and suggests they take the train to investigate.
Hilliard identifies the location of the depot and proposes a reconnaissance trip.
““I say, Hilliard, look there!” cried Merriman suddenly. They had passed along the lane until the façade of the building had come into view and they were able to read its signboard: “Ackroyd & Holt, Licensed Rectifiers.””
Merriman excitedly points out a distillery sign, thinking it supports the smuggling theory.
Merriman believes the distillery's proximity is suspicious, but Hilliard is less convinced.
““That’ll do,” Merriman breathed. “That’s all we want to see. Come away.””
Merriman confirms the empty barrel is suitable as a hiding spot and urges a quick retreat.
The friends discover the barrel and decide to use it for surveillance.