# Claud Hilliard — The Pit-Prop Syndicate character guide

> Claud Hilliard in The Pit-Prop Syndicate by Freeman Wills Crofts.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Hilliard, brother Hilliard

**First appearance:** 0001-i-the-sawmill-on-the-lesque

## Who they are

A Customs Department man whose official instincts sharpen his friend's vague suspicions into a working theory of smuggling, fraud, and a pit-prop trade that is anything but innocent.

## In the story

### [Part I: The Amateurs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/part-i-the-amateurs)

Merriman's friend and fellow amateur; overhears the syndicate's secret meeting and discovers the hollow props.

### [An Interesting Suggestion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/ii-an-interesting-suggestion)

Keenly interested in the mystery; proposes a holiday cruise to Bordeaux to investigate the lorry numbers and the suspicious trade.

### [The Start of the Cruise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/iii-the-start-of-the-cruise)

Meets Merriman in Bordeaux, shows him the Swallow, and persuades Merriman to investigate the lorry affair by appealing to concern for Madeleine Coburn's safety.

### [A Commercial Proposition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/iv-a-commercial-proposition)

Observant and suspicious, he notices the Coburns' unease and proposes inspecting the steamer's cargo; leads the reconnaissance of the sawmill.

### [The Visit of the Girondin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/v-the-visit-of-the-girondin)

Suspicious of smuggling; devises a plan to watch the loading of the ship; becomes alert after the captain's startled reaction.

### [A Change of Venue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/vi-a-change-of-venue)

Hilliard reflects on the syndicate's activities, decides to keep Merriman ignorant, and orchestrates their departure to investigate the other end of the operation.

### [VII: The Ferriby Depot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/vii-the-ferriby-depot)

Accompanies Merriman, skeptical about the distillery clue, agrees to the barrel plan, driven by desire for kudos.

### [The Unloading of the Girondin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/viii-the-unloading-of-the-girondin)

Researches the Girondin's schedule using Lloyd's List, proposes the barrel hiding plan, and later relieves Merriman after the night watch.

### [IX: The Second Cargo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/ix-the-second-cargo)

Devises the hollow props theory; calculates potential profits; reluctantly agrees to wait a month.

### [X: Merriman Becomes Desperate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/x-merriman-becomes-desperate)

Referenced as having overheard the syndicate's conversation and now threatening to inform the police.

### [An Unexpected Ally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/xi-an-unexpected-ally)

Merriman writes to him, asking him to make the invented letter a reality.

### [Part II: The Professionals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/part-ii-the-professionals)

Assists Merriman and gathers intelligence on the syndicate.

### [A Promising Clue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/xiii-a-promising-clue)

Mentioned as Merriman's friend and co-investigator who discovered the syndicate's conspiracy.

### [XIV: A Mystifying Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/xiv-a-mystifying-discovery)

Willis meets with him secretly to gather firsthand information about the syndicate.

### [The Bordeaux Lorries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/xviii-the-bordeaux-lorries)

Referenced as having provided descriptions of the Lesque clearing to Willis.

### [XX: The Double Cross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/xx-the-double-cross)

Assists as best man at Merriman and Madeleine's wedding; whispers a celebratory remark.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/characters/hilliard
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/characters