The Pleasure Cruise Mystery by Robin Forsythe Page B

sighed the captain, as if some unpleasant matter had been definitely settled.
    â€œI wasn’t quite satisfied with the explanation,” remarked the doctor.
    â€œGood Lord, Mac, you’re always seeking trouble. The thing seems quite feasible to me.”
    â€œBut her hands weren’t bandaged, as they certainly would have been if such had been the case. The wounded flesh of both hands was sticking to the leather of the gloves.”
    â€œI see. It’s a rum sort of point to raise, Mac, but we must leave well alone. It’s not our job to try and fathom the idiosyncrasies of all our passengers. Did you probe the Colvins further on the subject?”
    â€œNo. I couldn’t very well give them the lie, and I diplomatically let the subject drop.”
    â€œGood. We’re famous for diplomacy on the Green Star Line. Now I think that’s all we can do about this rather unfortunate occurrence at the moment. If anything unusual transpires let me know. We must be careful.”
    â€œVery good,” agreed the doctor, and wishing his skipper good morning, for it was seven bells of the middle watch, he retired to his cabin and was soon sound asleep.

    II

    Not long after Ricardo had left Vereker in the early hours of the same morning, and before the latter had completely undressed and returned to his bed, a gentle knock sounded on his cabin door. Slipping on his dressing-gown, Vereker quietly opened his door to see who the untimely visitor might be and was confronted by Mr. Richard Colvin.
    â€œMay I come in and speak to you for a few minutes?” he asked uncertainly.
    â€œBy all means,” replied Vereker and, closing the door, pushed an easy chair over to his guest. His eye roved quietly over Colvin, noting his general appearance. From his twitching mouth and shaking hands he learned that the man was in a highly nervous and distressed state.
    â€œI hope you’ll forgive my intrusion at this hour,” he said, “but I felt I had to see you before I turned in. I would have come earlier, only Doctor Macpherson kept Constance, my wife, and me jawing over things, and we’ve just managed to get rid of him.”
    Colvin’s shifty eye wandered furtively round the cabin and at length alighted on the bottle of whisky standing on Vereker’s table. He looked at it yearningly for a few seconds and then asked:
    â€œI wonder if I might help myself to your whisky? I’m terribly upset.”
    â€œTake a good stiffener,” replied Vereker warmly, and added, “Wait a minute. I’ll get you a clean glass.”
    Colvin poured himself out a plentiful potion with a shaking hand and drained the glass greedily.
    â€œDon’t be afraid to punish it,” urged Vereker cordially. “I have another bottle in my cupboard. You’ve had a rough passage tonight and it won’t do you any harm. Take another shot, and I’ll join you.”
    To his satisfaction the invitation was promptly accepted. It was at once evident to Vereker that the quickest way to this man’s confidences was through his throat, and he had decided to get Colvin to talk at all costs now that chance had flung him the occasion. The moment was particularly opportune, he thought, for a man is less guarded in highly emotional states.
    â€œYour friend Ricardo found my poor sister-in-law’s body on the deck tonight. I wanted to thank him. I went to his cabin next door, but found it in darkness. Thinking he was asleep I didn’t like to disturb him. I noticed your light was still on, so I risked dropping in on you. I believe you were with him.”
    â€œNot at the moment of the discovery. Ricardo knocked me up. Rapped on my window, and I joined him.”
    â€œAh, I see. Still it was very good of you both to take so much trouble. Constance and I are very grateful.”
    â€œGlad to be helpful. Most unfortunate occurrence. I sympathise with you and Mrs. Colvin. Mrs. Mesado has