The Stolen Ingots
A case of gold bars insured by an assurance company goes missing during transit from a port to a jeweler's factory. The bars, originally shipped from Accra, are replaced with a dummy case filled with lead pipe. The insurance company, facing a significant loss, seeks the help of a forensic expert known for his keen deductive skills. The expert, along with his assistant, begins their investigation by examining the circumstances surrounding the theft. They learn that the case was securely locked in the station-master's office before being transferred to the train, where it was later found to have been switched. The investigation leads them to the customs office, where they confirm that the gold bars were indeed in the case when it left the port. As they delve deeper, they gather information from various sources, including shipping agents and customs officials. The expert notes discrepancies in the weights and dimensions of the bars, leading him to suspect that the robbery was more sophisticated than initially thought. He theorizes that the thieves had inside knowledge and had prepared a dummy case in advance. The investigation takes a turn when they discover a package of brass screw-bolts that matches the weight of the missing gold bars. This revelation suggests that the gold was melted down and recast into bolts, which were then shipped under the guise of a legitimate cargo. The expert deduces that the robbery was orchestrated by individuals on the ship, likely the mate and the chief engineer, who had the means to execute the plan. As the investigation unfolds, the expert and his assistant follow leads that eventually lead them to a barge where the stolen goods are believed to be hidden. A chase ensues, culminating in the capture of the barge and the recovery of the gold bolts. The thieves are apprehended, and the case is resolved, revealing the intricate planning behind the theft and the expert's ability to piece together seemingly unrelated clues to uncover the truth. The narrative highlights themes of deception, the importance of thorough investigation, and the interplay between law enforcement and forensic expertise in solving crimes. The expert's methodical approach and attention to detail ultimately lead to the successful resolution of the case, showcasing the complexities of criminal investigations and the necessity of critical thinking in uncovering the truth.
By R. Austin Freeman · First published 1910 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Crime · 11,419 words
First lines
"In medico-legal practice," Thorndyke remarked, "one must be constantly on one's guard against the effects of suggestion, whether intentional or unconscious. When the facts of a case are set forth by an informant, they are nearly always presented, consciously or unconsciously, in terms of inference. Certain facts, which appear to the narrator to be the leading facts, are given with emphasis and in detail, while other facts, which appear to be subordinate or trivial, are partially suppressed. But this assessment of evidential value must never be accepted. The whole case must be considered and each fact weighed separately, and then it will commonly happen that the leading fact turns out to be the one that had been passed over as negligible."
What this Textopian page supports
The Stolen Ingots is listed on Textopian as a novel by R. Austin Freeman, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: R. Austin Freeman
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Legal Drama
- Length: 11,419 words
- Structure: 1 section, 217 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Stolen Ingots by R. Austin Freeman
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around the investigation of a theft, featuring clues, deductions, and a resolution typical of the mystery genre.
- Detective Fiction — The story follows a detective, Thorndyke, as he solves a case involving stolen gold ingots, characteristic of detective fiction.
- Crime — The central theme involves criminal activity, specifically theft and the subsequent investigation.
- Thriller — The narrative includes suspenseful elements as the characters navigate the complexities of the crime and its resolution.
Tags
mystery · detective · crime · investigation · suspense · thriller · fiction · British literature · early 20th century · whodunit · plot twist · forensic