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_Title:_ The Box Office Murders
_Date of first publication:_ 1929
_Author:_ Freeman Wills Crofts
_Date first posted:_ May 10, 2017
_Date last updated:_ Sep. 3, 2024
Faded Page eBook #20170515

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[Cover Illustration]

THE BOX OFFICE MURDERS

This is the Story

A GIRL employed in the box office of a London cinema falls into
the power of a mysterious trio of crooks. A solicitor, learning of
her predicament, sends her to the Yard. There she tells French the
story of the Purple Sickle. That night she disappears, and next
day her body is found floating in Southampton Water. Inquiries
reveal the fact that other similar murders have taken place, and
the further French goes into the affair the more girls he finds
involved. Finally, after almost superhuman efforts, he learns the
secret of the trio and runs them to earth. The author of _The
Cask_ has written another flawless detective novel which once more
displays his amazing flair for convincing reasoning and dramatic
incident.
Other Detective Novels by Freeman Wills Crofts

THE SEA MYSTERY THE CASK
THE PONSON CASE THE STARVEL TRAGEDY
THE CHEYNE MYSTERY THE GROOTE PARK MURDER
THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE
INSPECTOR FRENCH’S GREATEST CASE

THE
BOX OFFICE MURDERS
AN INSPECTOR FRENCH CASE

by
FREEMAN WILLS CROFTS
Author of “The Sea Mystery,” “Inspector French
and the Starvel Tragedy,” etc.

LONDON 48 PALL MALL
W. COLLINS SONS & CO LTD
GLASGOW SYDNEY AUCKLAND

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE
I. THE PURPLE SICKLE 7
II. FRENCH MAKES AN ASSIGNATION 27
III. THE INQUEST 41
IV. FRENCH MAKES A START 53
V. LEE-ON-THE-SOLENT 63
VI. THE SUPREME APPEAL COURT 75
VII. FAIR PASSENGERS 87
VIII. THE GRAY CAR’S ROUND 101
IX. FRENCH MAKES A SECOND ASSIGNATION 110
X. MR. CRACKSMAN FRENCH 121
XI. THE HAPPY PATERFAMILIAS 131
XII. THE CAR’S FREIGHT 143
XIII. THE TRANSPORT OF SUPPLIES 157
XIV. THE PROPERTY ADJOINING 172
XV. MR. CULLIMORE EXPOUNDS 188
XVI. IN THE NET 203
XVII. THE SHADOWS LOOM NEARER 216
XVIII. WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK 230
XIX. CONCLUSION 245