The Pit-Prop Syndicate

Name: The Pit-Prop Syndicate
Author: Freeman Wills Crofts

Merriman, a junior partner in a London wine merchant firm, embarks on a business trip to France, where he encounters a mysterious lorry belonging to a company called the Landes Pit-Prop Syndicate. After a chance meeting with Madeleine Coburn, the manager's daughter, he becomes intrigued by the operations of the syndicate, particularly after noticing a discrepancy in the lorry's number plate. Merriman's curiosity leads him to team up with his friend Hilliard, who has a penchant for puzzles. They investigate the syndicate's activities, suspecting something illicit is afoot. Hilliard overhears a conversation suggesting that the syndicate may be involved in smuggling, possibly brandy, hidden within hollow pit props. They devise a plan to observe the unloading of the Girondin, the syndicate's ship, to confirm their suspicions. After several failed attempts to gather evidence, including a night spent hidden in a barrel, they conclude that the syndicate is indeed smuggling brandy. However, they realize that their investigation has put them at risk, especially concerning Madeleine, who may be unknowingly entangled in her father's illicit activities. Determined to protect her, Merriman proposes to confront Mr. Coburn and reveal their findings, hoping to extricate both Madeleine and her father from the dangerous situation. The narrative unfolds with themes of love, loyalty, and the moral dilemmas faced when confronting crime, ultimately leading to a climactic resolution where Merriman must decide how to act on the knowledge he has gained. As the story progresses, the tension builds around the potential consequences of their discoveries, the nature of the syndicate's operations, and the impact on Merriman's relationship with Madeleine. The work explores the intersection of personal desire and ethical responsibility, culminating in a confrontation that could change their lives forever.

By Freeman Wills Crofts · First published 1927 · Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Thriller · 20 chapters · 112,863 words

First lines

Seymour Merriman was tired; tired of the jolting saddle of his motor bicycle, of the cramped position of his arms, of the chug of the engine, and most of all, of the dreary, barren country through which he was riding. Early that morning he had left Pau, and with the exception of an hour and a half at Bayonne, where he had lunched and paid a short business call, he had been at it ever since. It was now after five o'clock, and the last post he had noticed showed him he was still twenty-six kilometers from Bordeaux, where he intended to spend the night.

"This confounded road has no end," he thought. "I really must stretch my legs a bit."

What this Textopian page supports

The Pit-Prop Syndicate is listed on Textopian as a novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, dated 1927 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Freeman Wills Crofts
Date: 1927 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Detective Fiction, Literary Fiction
Length: 112,863 words
Structure: 20 chapters, 2,025 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Pit-Prop Syndicate by Freeman Wills Crofts
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Pit-Prop Syndicate?
How does this novel by Freeman Wills Crofts fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The plot revolves around a crime and the investigation to solve it, typical of the mystery genre.
Crime Fiction — The narrative focuses on criminal activities and their consequences, aligning with crime fiction themes.
Thriller — The story includes suspenseful elements and tension, characteristic of thriller literature.
Detective Fiction — The presence of a detective figure and the process of solving a mystery fit within detective fiction.