“Yes,” the other answered, “though I fancy this case will be more difficult than most. There is another point to be taken into consideration which I have not mentioned, and that is, how the perpetrators of the frauds are going to get their money. In the last resort it can only come in from the public over the counters of the licensed premises which sell the smuggled spirits. But just as the smuggled liquor cannot be put through the books of the house selling it, so the money received for it cannot be entered either. This means that someone in authority in each licensed house must be involved. It also carries with it a suggestion, though only a suggestion, the houses in question are tied houses. The director of a distillery company would have more hold on the manager of their own tied houses than over an outsider.”
Again Willis nodded without replying, and Hunt went on:
“Now it happens that these Ackroyd & Holt people own some very large licensed houses in Hull, and it is to them I imagine, that we should first direct our attention.”
“How do you propose to begin?”
“I think we must first find out how the Ferriby liquor is sent to these houses. By the way, you probably know that already. You watched the distillery during working hours, didn’t you?”
The inspector admitted it.
“Did you see any lorries?”
“Any number; large blue machines. I noticed them going and coming in the Hull direction loaded up with barrels.”
Hunt seemed pleased.
“Good,” he commented. “That’s a beginning anyway. Our next step must be to make sure that all these lorries carry certificates. We had better begin tomorrow.”