The Inspector, left to his own devices, called Broughton and, going on board the _Bullfinch_, had the clerk’s story repeated in great detail, the actual place where each incident happened being pointed out. He made a search for any object that might have been dropped, but without success, visited the wharf and other points from which the work at the cask might have been overlooked, and generally made himself thoroughly familiar with the circumstances. By the time this was done the other men who had been unloading the forehold had returned from dinner, and he interviewed them, questioning each individually. No additional information was received. The Inspector then returned to the quay office. ‘I want you,’ he asked Mr. Huston, ‘to be so good as to show me all the papers you have referring to that cask, waybills, forward notes, everything.’ Mr. Huston disappeared, returning in a few seconds with some papers which he handed to Burnley. The latter examined them and then said:-- ‘These seem to show that the cask was handed over to the French State Railway at their Rue Cardinet Goods Station, near the Gare St. Lazare, in Paris, by MM. Dupierre et Cie., carriage being paid forward. They ran it by rail to Rouen, where it was loaded on to your _Bullfinch_.’ ‘That is so.’ ‘I suppose you cannot say whether the Paris collection was made by a railway vehicle?’ ‘No, but I should think not, as otherwise the cartage charges would probably show.’ ‘I think I am right in saying that these papers are complete and correct in every detail?’ ‘Oh yes, they are perfectly in order.’ ‘How do you account for the cask being passed through by the Customs officials without examination?’ ‘There was nothing suspicious about it. It bore the label of a well-known and reputable firm, and was invoiced as well as stencilled, ‘Statuary only.’ It was a receptacle obviously suitable for transporting such goods, and its weight was also in accordance. Unless in the event of some suspicious circumstance, cases of this kind are seldom opened.’ ‘Thank you, Mr. Huston, that is all I want at present. Now, can I see the captain of the _Bullfinch_?’ ‘Certainly. Come over and I’ll introduce you.’ Captain M’Nabb was a big, rawboned Ulsterman, with a hooked nose and sandy hair. He was engaged in writing up some notes in his cabin. ‘Come in, sir, come in,’ he said, as Huston made the Inspector known. ‘What can I do for you?’ Burnley explained his business. He had only a couple of questions to ask. ‘How is the trans-shipment done from the railway to your boat at Rouen?’ ‘The wagons come down on the wharf right alongside. The Rouen stevedores load them, either with the harbour travelling crane or our own winches.’ ‘Would it be at all possible for a barrel to be tampered with after it was once aboard?’ ‘How do you mean tampered with? A barrel of wine might be tapped, but that’s all could be done.’