# Inspector Willis — The Pit-Prop Syndicate character guide

> Inspector Willis in The Pit-Prop Syndicate by Freeman Wills Crofts.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Willis, George Willis

**First appearance:** 0013-xii-murder

## Who they are

A Scotland Yard inspector who inherits a tangle of amateur sleuthing and a fresh corpse, and must decide how much of Merriman's wild story to believe.

## In the story

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

Takes a more active role in the official investigation.

### [XII: Murder!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/xii-murder)

Called from home to investigate a murder; leads the initial examination of the crime scene and evidence.

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

Interviews Madeleine, takes Merriman's story seriously, and plans a cautious investigation to avoid alerting the syndicate.

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

Central to the chapter; he investigates the case, develops theories, and arranges to meet Beamish.

### [XV: Inspector Willis Listens In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/xv-inspector-willis-listens-in)

Leads the investigation, discovers the secret telephone line, sets a trap, and is outwitted by the smugglers.

### [The Secret of the Syndicate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/xvi-the-secret-of-the-syndicate)

Deduces the existence of a tunnel, discovers the hidden cellar and the brandy operation, and plans to involve customs authorities.

### [Archer Plants Stuff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/xvii-archer-plants-stuff)

Assists Hunt in the investigation, discusses the fraud scheme, and helps with the photographic plan.

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

Visits M. Max in Paris, learns French authorities cannot help, then hires private detective Laroche and conducts night surveillance at Lesque.

### [XIX: Willis Spreads His Net](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pit_prop_syndicate_se/chapters/xix-willis-spreads-his-net)

Returns from Bordeaux and devises a plan to trap the syndicate by using Madeleine as a decoy.

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

Leads the investigation and arrest of Archer; orchestrates the final trap and secures his promotion.

## Links

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