Poirot Bk3: Poirot Investigates (5/11)

The Million Dollar Bond Robbery

Mystery:
A million dollar worth of liberty bonds were stolen on a liner traveling to New York. Liberty bonds were war bonds that were used to steal to the citizens so as to raise funds for World War I. The bonds were put into a casing that was fitted with extraordinary locks which could be only by the key. The bonds were entrusted to Mr Philips Ridgeway custody to bring it safely to New York. The bonds were found stolen when the cruise, Olympia was in sea. A thorough search was conducted on board, but could not find them. It was later discovered that the bonds were sold in the market 30mins after the cruise had docked in New York.

How was the bonds discovered lost?
-> Mr Philips Ridgeway's cabin trunk was taken out from the bunk. The casing containing the Bonds was scatched and cut about where they had tried to force the lock. However, the lock was open. If the thief had the key to open the lock, there was no need to meddle with the casing.
-> Mr Ridgeway claimed that the key had never left him.
-> The theft was conducted just a few hours before the cruise reached New York.

Suspects (the 3 key holders to the Bonds):
1) Mr Philips Ridgeway-> The keeper of the bonds.
-> Engaged to Miss Esmee Farquhar whom had great faith in Mr Ridgeway and asked Poirot to help to clear his name.
-> Mr Shaw was supposed to bring the bonds over to New York but had severe bronchitis, so Mr Ridgeway took over the job.

2) Mr Shaw-> was the one in charge of sending the bonds
-> was the one who ordered the lock for the bonds
-> was ill and could not send the bonds.
-> was not on board of the ship

3) Mr Vavasour-> Joint general Manager of the London and Scottish Bank
-> Uncle of Mr Philips Ridgeway whom had good testimony of Mr Ridgeway.

4) Mr Ventour-> occupant of the cabin which was next to Mr Ridgeway.
-> An elderly gentleman, wearing glasses, an invalid and hardly moved out of his cabin.
-> The last to get off the boat.
-> The evidence against him was little.


Leads:
-> One Broker swore that he had bought a bulk of the bonds before Olympia's arrival.
-> Gigantic liner departed for New York on the same day as Olympia, however departed from different port. Gigantic had arrived a day earlier than Olympia.