The Sea Mystery · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Sea Mystery by Freeman Wills Crofts.

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Chapter 1
I: Mr. Morgan Meets Tragedy
Mr. Morgan and his son Evan go fishing in the Burry Inlet on a late September evening. They hook a crate that contains a decomposing body. Mr. Morgan, horrified, hides the discovery from his son and later reports it to Sergeant Nield. The crate is retrieved, and an examination reveals a murdered man with a battered face, dressed only in underclothes, with no identifying marks. The local chief constable decides to call in Scotland Yard, leading to Inspector French being summoned.
Chapter 2
II: Inspector French Gets Busy
Inspector French arrives at Burry Port and begins his investigation into the discovery of a body in a crate. He examines the body and crate, noting a triangular birthmark on the left arm and the lack of identifying marks. He discusses the case with Sergeant Nield and considers possible lines of inquiry, including tracing the crate and the victim's identity.
Chapter 3
III: Experimental Detection
Inspector French, having determined that the crate was likely transported by a motor lorry with a crane, circulates a query and receives a report from Constable David Jenkins about a crane-lorry seen near Neath. French then consults coastguard Tom Manners about tidal currents to estimate where the crate might have been thrown into the sea, concluding that an ebb tide would have been used to carry it out. He decides to trace the crane-lorry from Swansea.
Chapter 4
IV: A Change of Venue
Inspector French shifts his investigation from the coast to Swansea and Ashburton after a tide experiment suggests the body may have come from Devonshire. He coordinates with Superintendent Howells to trace a lorry seen near Neath and Gorseinon, leading to a search of the area within thirty miles of Swansea. French also plans to visit Ashburton to investigate the order for a duplicating machine, while Howells organizes local inquiries. The chapter ends with a laborer's report indicating the lorry remained stationary for three hours, reducing the likelihood that the body was placed in the crate during the drive.
Chapter 5
V: Messrs. Berlyn and Pyke
Inspector French arrives in Ashburton to investigate the crate sent from Veda Works to Swansea. He learns of the tragic disappearance of Charles Berlyn and Stanley Pyke on Dartmoor six weeks earlier. French reads newspaper accounts of the incident, noting that the disappearance occurred on the night of August 15th, and the crate was dispatched the following day. He interviews Sergeant Daw and Mr. Fogden, the sales manager at Veda Works, and begins to suspect a connection between the disappearance and the murder. French outlines four key lines of inquiry: the timing of events, the possibility of an alibi, the role of a night watchman, and the disposal of the duplicator.

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I: Mr. Morgan Meets Tragedy

II: Inspector French Gets Busy

III: Experimental Detection

IV: A Change of Venue

V: Messrs. Berlyn and Pyke