They passed into a large room where a score or more men were busily engaged in putting together machines of every type and kind. But they did not halt there long. After a general look round Mr. Fogden led the way across the shop and through another door. “This,” he said, “is our completed-articles store. Here we keep our products ready for immediate despatch. We stock a certain number of each class, and the same arrangement holds good with regard to the parts. Directly a number falls to the minimum, an order automatically goes to the assembly department to build so many new pieces. That keeps our stock right. Of course, an order for a large number of pieces has to be dealt with specially. For example, we always keep a minimum of twelve Number One duplicators complete and ready to go out, and that enables us to supply incidental orders without delay. But when an order for fifty comes in, as we had yesterday from the Argentine, we have to manufacture specially.” French murmured appreciatively. “With regard to the Number Three duplicators,” went on Mr. Fogden, pointing to the machines in question, “we always keep a minimum of three in stock. They are not in such demand as the Number Ones. Now let me see.” He compared the order with the bin or stock card. “Only two of these have gone out since the one you are interested in. I dare say the men will remember yours.” He referred again to the order. “Packed by John Puddicoombe. . . . Here, Puddicoombe. A moment.” An elderly man approached. “Do you happen to remember packing a duplicator of this type on fifteenth of August last? It was a Monday and there’s the docket.” The man scratched his head. “I don’t know as I do, sir,” he answered, slowly. “You see, I pack that many and they’re all the same. But I packed it, all right, if I signed for it.” “Where did you pack it?” French asked. “In packing-shed next door,” the man replied, after an interrogatory glance at his chief. “Come in and see the place,” Mr. Fogden suggested, and they moved to a smaller room, the next in the series. “You packed it in here,” French went on. “Now tell me, did you close up the crate here?” “Yes, as soon as the duplicator was properly in I got the lid on. I always do.” “Got the lid on and made it fast?” “Yes, nailed it down.” “And was the crate despatched that same day?” “No,” Mr. Fogden intervened. “The dates show that it lay here that night. It was sent out the following day.” “Ah, that’s what I want to get at,” said French. “Now where did it lie all night?” “Here,” the packer declared. “It was packed here and lay here until the lorry came for it the next day.” “But if you don’t remember this particular case?” French persisted. “Don’t mind my asking. The matter is important.” The packer regarded him with what seemed compassion and replied with a tolerant forbearance. “I know because that’s what’s always done and there weren’t no exception in the case of any machine,” he replied, conclusively.