At the moment when Norne put through his call it happened that Chief-Inspector Joseph French was seated in his room in New Scotland Yard, trying to decide upon the means to be employed in the further pursuit of a particularly elusive burglar. The man had been traced from the Clifton house at which his crime was committed to Temple, Meads Station in Bristol and from there to Paddington. But at Paddington he had vanished, and French and those working under his orders were at a complete loss as to their next step.
It happened also that on this Monday morning it was French’s turn to receive reports of fresh crimes and to allocate their preliminary investigation to such officers as were available. Therefore, when the local exchange received Norne’s call, it was to him that it was put through.
He listened with close attention to the concise statement made by Norne. Here, it was evident, was the opening of what would almost certainly prove a very important case. He knew Nornes Limited by reputation, as one of the largest firms of working jewellers in London. If it were true that jewellery valued at the enormous sum of half a million sterling had been stolen, it would rank as one of the major thefts of the century.
In such cases of theft, time was usually of the first importance. The turning of the stolen jewels into money could not be carried out in a moment, and the sooner the usual sources of disposal were watched, the better. French decided that it would be quickest if he himself were to go to the firm’s offices and get full particulars at first hand. He therefore replied accordingly, asking Norne to say nothing in the meantime of what had happened.
Norne rang off and French quickly made a number of other calls. Firstly he repeated the story in an even more condensed form to Sir Mortimer Ellison, the Assistant Commissioner under whose supervision he worked, and obtained his approval for his giving the case his personal attention. Next he instructed his assistant, Sergeant Carter, to be ready to accompany him. Two more calls secured the services of a finger-print expert and a photographer, while a fifth requisitioned a fast car. Then picking up his emergency case, which always stood packed with apparatus likely to be used in preliminary investigations, French hurried from his room. Within six minutes of the receipt of Norne’s call, the little party turned out of the Yard gates on to the Embankment.
Joseph French had by this time quite got over the novelty of his promotion, and life as a chief-inspector had become to him the normal mode of existence. He had had a busy time since that case of the launch explosion off Cowes, in which the unhappy partners of the Chayle cement works had lost their lives. That case, though at first it had seemed one of the most unsatisfactory he had ever tackled, had in the end added considerably to his reputation. When at first failure had stared him in the face, he had imagined his superiors had regretted his promotion, but on his final success he was given to understand they were satisfied.
With two small exceptions, however, that case had represented the last occasion on which he had worked outside his room at the Yard. The first was that of a smash and grab raid in Nottingham. It was believed to be the work of a London gang, and he spent a couple of days in the Midland city co-ordinating the local efforts to find the men with those of his colleagues at the Yard. His part in the second case was also that of liaison officer between local and metropolitan workers. It was a murder case, the particularly brutal murder of a girl in a deserted bungalow near Dover. In this instance the combined efforts of the Dover police and the Yard were successful. A former lover was found, arrested, proved guilty, and hanged. But in the smash and grab case, to French’s bitter disappointment, the raiders got clean away.
French, whose heart was in the country, wished constantly that he could get another out-of-Town job. His interest in this new robbery was, therefore, tinged with disappointment, in that he foresaw another period of Town working. What he longed for was green grass and trees, and better still, stretches of water. As far as the matter of surroundings went, the Southampton Water case had reached his ideal.
His mind was brought back to the present by a question from Carter. ‘What is it this time, sir?’ the sergeant asked, after an explorative glance at his superior’s face.
‘Safe robbery,’ French returned. ‘Nornes Limited, the jewellers. Half a million worth of stones gone over the weekend.’
Carter expressed his interest and surprise by an oath of judicious moderation. ‘Half a million!’ he repeated. ‘Anything to go on?’
‘Not so far. Guarded statement from Norne, the managing-director. Probably a son or nephew of the founder’s.’
‘Half a million’s a tidy bit of money,’ the photographer essayed. ‘Was the stuff insured, sir?’
‘I don’t know,’ said French, ‘but I should think so; though probably not to its full value.’
As he spoke, the car turned from Kingsway into Ronder Lane and pulled up at the block containing the Norne premises. A moment later French and Carter had reached the public office, the other two men being told to wait in the car till called on.
‘Mr French and Mr Carter to see Mr Norne,’ French explained to the young man who came forward.
‘Oh, yes,’ the clerk answered, ‘Mr Norne’s expecting you. Will you come this way?’
French looked keenly at the youth. There was a certain excitement in his manner, and this same excitement was reflected in the bearing of such other employees as were to be seen along the corridors they traversed. French was slightly puzzled. It could scarcely be due to news of the robbery having leaked out, because he felt certain that such intelligence would have produced a much greater effect. Some other unusual event must also have taken place. French took a mental note to find it out.
His suspicions were strengthened when they came to Norne’s anteroom and were handed over to Miss Barber, the pretty secretary. She also seemed upset, as if from some minor misfortune. However, she announced the visitors at once, and French had no chance of talking to her.
‘Mr Norne?’ French began, handing over his professional card. ‘I took your message, and I thought in view of the seriousness of your statement I had better come along myself. This is my assistant, Sergeant Carter.’
Norne shook hands, then introduced Sir Ralph and Miles. ‘We’ve only just made the discovery, chief-inspector, and we’ve done what you asked us about not mentioning it.’
‘It’s often wise in cases of this kind,’ French returned. ‘Now, sir, suppose you let me know the circumstances in your own words. I can ask questions later if I want to.’
The little party sat down, French and Carter opposite Norne at his desk and Sir Ralph and Miles in the armchairs. French and Carter laid open notebooks before them. It was Carter’s business to take complete shorthand notes of the interview, while French made a practice of jotting down any points which struck him as suggestive.
‘The facts,’ began Norne, ‘are very simple and very disastrous. You know, chief-inspector, what our business consists of? Perhaps I should tell you very generally?’
‘If you please, sir.’
‘We are not only manufacturing jewellers, but dealers in jewellery, both in cut and uncut single stones and in assembled pieces. We actually cut stones ourselves, and we mount them and build up complete articles of jewellery. We also buy made-up sets for resale or for breaking up and re-modelling. Finally we make temporary cash advances on the security of jewellery deposited with us. So that you will see that our business is many sided, and I may tell you that it is pretty large also: indeed, it is practically world wide.’
‘I know it has that reputation, sir.’
‘You will understand that to carry on such a business it is necessary for us to keep a large collection of stones and jewellery on the premises. We have been in the habit of storing it in that safe which you see. The safe was put in about twelve years ago, our former one being somewhat antiquated, and it was then the best that money could buy.’
French glanced round at the huge green door and nodded.
‘It happened through a variety of causes that we have lately been carrying an unusually large quantity of stuff—approximately half a million pounds’ worth. I had occasion to open the safe on Saturday morning and everything was then in order. While, of course, I didn’t go through every drawer, I’m positive that nothing had been disturbed.
‘This morning I again had to open the safe. I did it in the presence of these gentlemen. Instantly I saw that there had been a robbery. Several valuable made-up sets which had been stacked on trays were gone, and when I pulled open drawers at random I saw that they also had been emptied.
‘I immediately got Mr Miles to help me to make an examination. We found that practically everything worth taking has gone. Instantly I telephoned to the Yard.’
‘I follow. Was the stuff insured?’
Norne made a grimace. ‘Only partially, I’m afraid.’
‘I shall want details of that,’ French declared. ‘You are, of course, satisfied that the safe was securely locked when you left it on Saturday?’
‘Absolutely. Both the accountant and I tried it, and besides the handle couldn’t have been turned to the locked position until at least the first key was turned.’
‘The first key? Then there are two?’
‘Yes, two.’
‘Just explain the method of opening, will you?’
‘I’ll show you.’ Norne got up and went to the safe, followed by French and Sir Ralph. ‘Now the handle is fastened.’ He shook it to demonstrate. ‘I put in and turn my key. That enables the handle to be moved through a certain arc. I take out my key and Sir Ralph puts in the second, into the same keyhole—as you see there is only one. When Sir Ralph turns his key, the locking is altered. The handle cannot now be put back through its first arc, but it can be moved on through a farther arc, and when it is so moved the door is unlocked.’
‘That’s clear, sir. And in locking?’
‘In locking the process is reversed. The handle is moved to the middle position, and this enables Sir Ralph to turn his key. He turns it, and the handle cannot be put back to the “unlocked” position, but can be moved on the “locked” one. I then turn my key, which fastens it in the “locked” position.’
‘I follow. Then you and Sir Ralph keep the keys?’
‘I keep one and our accountant has always kept the other. Unfortunately the accountant has just died and Sir Ralph is temporarily keeping his key.’
‘You can tell me about that later, sir. Now, when you came to open the safe this morning, did you see any sign of the lock having been tampered with?’
‘None whatever.’
‘Your keys worked all right?’
‘Perfectly.’
‘Then the thief had a pair of keys?’
‘Obviously.’
‘Quite so, sir.’ French hesitated for a moment. ‘Now I’m making no accusation, but at first sight all that seems to point to someone inside the concern. Tell me, Mr Norne: speaking confidentially, is there anyone whom you can bring yourself to suspect? I’m not asking you to accuse anyone; only to give me a line for investigation.’
Norne shook his head. ‘I can answer that at once, chief-inspector. I suspect no one, and I should be greatly surprised if any of our staff were mixed up in it. What do you say, Miles?’
The works foreman moved impulsively. ‘I agree with you, Mr Norne,’ he said earnestly. ‘I don’t know the clerical side so well, but I’m convinced the working fellows are all right.’
French made a deprecating gesture. ‘That’s all I want, gentlemen; I was bound to ask the question. And may I take it that none of you—’ he glanced keenly from one to the other—‘can give me any suggestion which might put me on the right track? You, Mr Norne?’
‘I have already said not.’
‘Sir Ralph?’
‘I certainly cannot, chief-inspector.’
‘I have to get an answer to the point-blank question, sir. You, Mr Miles?’
Miles could offer no help either.
‘Are there any absentees among the staff this morning?’
‘I couldn’t answer that, chief-inspector. I’ll inquire.’
Norne picked up his desk telephone and asked for a list of absentees.
‘Very good,’ said French, ‘that’s the first thing I want. The second is a detailed list of what is missing. I presume you can give me that?’
‘I think so,’ Norne answered. ‘I should tell you about that, chief-inspector. We card index everything that goes into the safe. The index is kept in the safe, and we are most careful to see that it is kept up to date. Now, all those cards have gone too.’
French whistled below his breath. ‘Is that not another pointer, sir, to someone who knew your methods?’
‘Not necessarily. It’s a common practice, carding the contents.’
‘Then you’ve no record of what you had?’
‘I didn’t say that. We should have. The index is duplicated, and we keep the duplicate in Mr Miles’ office. That enables him to use the index without getting the safe opened. Unless the thief has taken the duplicate also, it’ll be there. You didn’t notice this morning, did you, Miles?’
Miles stood up. ‘No, sir,’ he answered. ‘The cabinet is there all right, but I didn’t open it this morning. I can see in a moment.’
‘Is the duplicate record kept in a safe?’
‘No, in a steel filing cabinet which is always kept locked.’
French also rose. ‘I’d like to see just where and how it’s kept,’ he said. ‘Perhaps, Mr Norne, I may go with Mr Miles? Carter, I don’t want you.’
Miles led French to the floor below and through a heavy door into one of the workshops. Men were seated at desk-like benches, bending low over their fine work. Others were at diminutive lathes and grinding and polishing machines. Two things struck French in particular: the extreme cleanliness and the excellent lighting of every part of the room.
In one corner a small glass-walled office had been partitioned off. Miles walked across, and unlocking the door, threw it open.
It also was scrupulously clean. In one corner stood a vertical letter file of green-painted steel; on the top of which was a similarly finished card index cabinet. To this Miles pointed.
‘Open it, please,’ said French.
Miles produced his key and opened the four drawers. The index was complete.
‘There,’ said Norne when they had returned to his office, ‘what did I tell you? That shows, doesn’t it, that the thief was an outsider? If he’d known of its existence, he’d have taken Mr Miles’ as well.’
‘Not necessarily, I think, sir,’ French returned. ‘He probably took yours for his own convenience, rather than to impede the inquiry.’
‘I wish you’d explain all that,’ put in Sir Ralph. ‘How does the index affect the matter?’
‘Simply, sir, that it would let the thief immediately describe to his fences what he had to sell. I think I’m right in saying it takes a considerable time to make out a correct description of a stone?’
‘Absolutely. The possession of the index would save an infinity of trouble.’
‘Quite,’ French agreed. ‘Then with regard to impeding the inquiry. He may have forgotten that the first thing we should want would be a description of the stones for circulation, and that if he had delayed us getting that, it might have been a lot in his interest. However, whether by his oversight or not, we have the duplicate. Perhaps, sir, you could get a list made from those cards?’
‘Certainly,’ Norne agreed. ‘But I’m afraid it will take some time. There’s a lot to be done. I could of course divide the cards and put all our typists on to it.’
‘I should be obliged if you would do so, sir. And they might make three or four carbon copies. Perhaps, sir, while you’re arranging the matter I might use your telephone?’
French rang up the Yard and got through to Sir Mortimer Ellison. He gave him a brief report of what he had learned and asked him to have the steps taken usual in such cases. It was agreed that the premises of known fences should be watched, and that the Dutch police should be advised of the robbery, so that the same precautions might be taken in Amsterdam. The records of burglary by obtaining the keys of safes were to be looked up, and the movements of all thieves who favoured that method were to be checked up. Finally French asked that the police at the cross Channel ports should be asked to keep their eyes open for possible suspects.
There was not, of course, much chance that such vague methods would produce results. However, it was all that could be done for the moment. Further information would be sent out to the searchers as it was obtained.
‘Now, sir,’ French went on when Norne returned, ‘about those keys. Were there no duplicates of those held by yourself and your accountant?’
‘There were,’ Norne answered. ‘Each key was duplicated, and the duplicates were held, one in the strong room of the Company’s bank, and the other in that of my own private bank. Even if a miracle had happened, and the strong room of one of these banks were burgled, it is out of the question that that could happen to both.’
‘I shall ask you, sir, to come round with me to both banks later. Someone may have got at those keys by means of some forged instructions.’
‘I don’t think so,’ said Norne, ‘but of course we can try.’
‘We shall have to do so. Now, sir, about your own key. Where, or rather how, do you keep it?’
Norne put his hand in his trousers’ pocket and brought out a small ring of keys. ‘There it is,’ he said, holding one of the keys up for inspection. ‘You see, the ring is attached to this chain, and the other end passes through a special hole cut in my trousers, and is held by a short steel bar, same as watch-chains used to be held in a waistcoat buttonhole. No one could get the keys away without my feeling it, and I could not leave them in the safe or elsewhere and go away without them. I think it’s quite a safe scheme.’
French thought so too when he had examined the arrangement. The chain was riveted solidly to the ring, and the bar was long and could not possibly be pulled through the hole in the trousers. French thought a skilful man might have distracted Norne’s attention and cut the chain, but this was ruled out for the simple reason that the chain had not been cut.
‘You’re positive that you have never allowed this chain to be unhooked from your trousers?’
‘Never, except at night.’
‘Have you ever lent the bunch to anyone to open the safe for you?’
‘Never.’
‘Or for any other purpose? Keys are often borrowed to try to open some lock of which the key has been lost. It’s a common trick under such circumstances to divert the owner’s attention and take a wax impression.’
‘No,’ said Norne firmly, ‘you may give up that idea. I never lent the keys and they were never taken off the trousers.’
‘Except, as you say, at night?’
‘Except at night, and, of course, when I changed my clothes. But I’m equally certain that no one could have got at them on these occasions. At night I put them under my pillow as well as locking the chain to a ring fixed to the bed. When I was changing I never let the keys out of my sight.’
‘That, sir, seems conclusive enough. And yet if the duplicates were not obtained from the bank, yours must have been got hold of, for the simple reason that there was no other key in existence from which a copy could have been made.’
Norne made a little gesture of weariness. ‘That’s exactly what has been worrying me,’ he declared. ‘I entirely agree, but … simply it didn’t happen. The more I think of it, the less I can understand it.’
‘I suppose, sir, you didn’t fall asleep under circumstances which might have given someone an opportunity? What about a mild drug?’
‘Nothing of the kind. No, chief-inspector, I wish I could explain it, but I can’t.’
‘That’s all right, sir,’ French returned, ‘We’ll get it in time. Now, we’ve been speaking about your key. Let us consider the second, which you tell me was held by your accountant. You say also that he has recently died and his key is in Sir Ralph’s charge. Perhaps you would give me details of all this?’
‘Certainly. It’s an unhappy business, not yet entirely cleared up. The truth is that Mr Minter died suddenly yesterday, or rather on Saturday night, at my house near Guildford. He was found dead yesterday morning, and the doctor was unable to give a certificate, so the Guildford police have the matter in hand. Perhaps I’d better tell you from the beginning?’
French looked very searchingly at the managing-director and agreed in a slightly dry tone.
‘I must tell you then something which is absolutely confidential,’ Norne resumed. ‘I take it that you will keep it to yourself?’
‘Unless it proves to be essential for the purposes of justice, certainly, sir.’
‘It won’t. It’s only required to explain Minter’s presence at my house, and for that you can say “business.” The fact is, however, that things have been going badly lately with our company,’ and Norne described the condition of affairs, leading on to the meeting, Minter’s arrival and death, and finally the calling in of the police.
‘I think I follow all that, sir,’ French said when he had finished. ‘In the meantime I shall only ask what was done about Mr Minter’s keys?’
‘I confess that in the upset I forgot all about them. When I remembered I thought it would be best if Sir Ralph took them over. I suggested it to him and he agreed. I got the keys from the police, who had taken charge of them, and handed them to Sir Ralph.’
‘Then you think they couldn’t have been tampered with before Sir Ralph got them?’
‘I should say it was quite impossible. But I take it that’s a matter for you rather than me.’
‘I shall have to look into it, of course,’ French agreed. ‘Now, sir, what about that list of today’s absentees?’
Norne picked up a paper from his desk. ‘Here it is. It came in while you were getting the card index.’
‘W. E. Carfax, and R. L. Jones?’ French read inquiringly.
‘Carfax is a junior clerk, and Jones a stone cutter and polisher: both in my opinion absolutely beyond suspicion.’
French nodded. ‘Thank you, sir, I think that’s about all I want at present. I should like one or two lists made out at your early convenience. One is a complete note of your staff, with a word or two of explanation as to who everybody is. Another a private note of those who might be expected to know what would be in the safe. And, of course, that vital list of what is missing.’
Norne agreed to supply these as soon as possible and French went on. ‘I shall want next to make an examination of the safe with one or two experts. It would be a convenience if we could have this room?’
‘That’s easily arranged,’ Norne agreed. ‘We’ll move out now.’
‘Thank you, sir,’ French said again, then to Carter: ‘Run down and tell those fellows in the car to come up.’ Carter vanished and French went on: ‘One other point, sir, and I have done. You and Sir Ralph opened the safe and Mr Miles fingered his card index. We shall find finger-prints, I hope, on both. I want to take your prints, so as to eliminate them from those we shall follow up.’
‘I have no objection,’ said Norne and the others also agreed.
A moment later Carter returned with the photographer and finger-print expert. The prints of the three men were taken and they left the room. So began the second phase of the inquiry.