by William Seil
‘You have heard about Strickley, then?’
‘Is that his name? I just heard about a body being found down below. How did you find out about it?’
‘The captain asked me to help the ship’s surgeons perform the post-mortem.’
‘And I know something else – there was some kind of disturbance on deck last night after your mysterious disappearance. Passengers who tried to walk there were turned back by the crew — something about an electrical problem.’
Stunned by this admission, I decided to confront her.
‘Miss Storm-Fleming, just who are you? You are not an innocent widow, that is for certain.’
‘That may be true. But I am your friend, and I am in trouble. I have no idea whether they will believe my story about Bishop once we reach New York.’
‘I am not sure that I believe your story either...not that I think you killed Bishop. But I saw you from the squash-rackets court – you were not walking with Bishop, you were following him.’
Miss Storm-Fleming’s eyes were open wide and beginning to fill with tears. She put her hand on my arm.
‘I had personal reasons for following him... I cannot tell you about that now. But I need to know what is going on. You are in the middle of something, I can tell... I need to know that you are on my side, and that you will help to clear my name.’
‘You seem to know a great deal already. In fact, you are exceptionally well informed.’
‘Perhaps I have friends in high places.’
I was losing my patience with her, and it showed.
‘I can see that I was wrong to bring this up,’ she said. ‘Let us just forget it and see if we can have a quiet dinner.’
‘We will let it pass for the moment but sometime you must give me some answers,’ I replied.
We ordered a bottle of wine and, much to my surprise, soon found ourselves in a relaxed and warm conversation. We spoke of departed loved ones and how difficult it was to fill the emptiness. The time passed quickly and soon we were finishing our coffee.
‘Thank you for a wonderful evening, Doctor Watson. I hope I have not been too trying.’
I smiled and reassured her that that was not the case.
Across the room I saw Captain Smith and his dining companions. It appeared that he too was about to retire.
‘Miss Storm-Fleming, if you will excuse me, I need to speak to the captain.’
‘Please do, I shall retire to my cabin.’
‘Shall I accompany you?’
‘No, no, please go ahead. I will be fine.’
I called out to her over the roar of conversation, ‘Miss Storm-Fleming, please be careful.’
She turned to glance at me, smiled and left the room.
On my way to the captain’s table I passed the Von Sterns, who were finishing their main course of roast duckling with apple sauce.
‘Doctor,’ said the baron, rising to shake my hand. ‘We saw you when we came in but we did not want to disturb you. Would you care to sit down?’
‘No, no, thank you. I just wondered whether you heard about Colonel Moriarty.’
‘What about the colonel?’
‘Someone broke into his cabin this evening.’
‘No!’ he said. ‘I do not believe it. I was just talking to Herr Moriarty. Was anything taken?’
‘It does not appear so, but he is very disturbed.’
‘I am disturbed as well,’ said the baroness. ‘First these terrible blackmail notes, then the burglary at Miss Norton’s cabin and now this. Have you made any progress in investigating the blackmail?’
‘I am afraid not, Baroness. But I do not think these burglaries are related to the blackmail notes. Try not to worry.’
Von Stern walked behind his wife and put his hands on her shoulders. ‘My wife is a very sensitive woman, Doctor, but she will be fine... Meanwhile, my dear, our dinner is getting cold. Are you sure you will not join us, Doctor?’
‘Thank you again, but I must be on my way.’
I arrived at the captain’s table, just as he was bidding his dining companions good night.
‘Ah, Doctor Watson. Have you met my friends — Mr and Mrs Widener and their son, Harry; Mr and Mrs Thayer; Mr and Mrs Carter, and Major Butt.’
We exchanged greetings.
‘Perhaps, Doctor, you would accompany me to the bridge? It is almost nine o’clock and I have a busy day tomorrow.’
I told the captain that I would be most pleased to. We said goodnight to the others, who were clearly not ready to leave.
As we left the dining room, I asked the captain if he had seen Moriarty.
‘Yes, another entry in our log of murders and burglaries — not to mention shooting. I will look into it in the morning. How is your investigation?’
‘I am still in the dark. But Holmes asked Miss Norton and me to meet him in the smoking room at 11.30. Maybe he will have something to report then.’
In the short time it took to get to the bridge, we made no progress in solving the mysteries on board the Titanic. But the walk did give me an opportunity to breathe some fresh air and compose myself again before meeting Holmes and Miss Norton. There were only a few men on the bridge when we arrived.
‘All in order, Mr Lightoller?’ the captain asked.
The second officer was standing by the wheel when we arrived.
‘Indeed, sir. We are keeping a lookout for icebergs. Mr Murdoch will be relieving me at ten. How are you, Doctor Watson?’
‘Very well, thank you.’
‘There is not much wind,’ said Smith.
‘No, it is very calm. A few waves would make any icebergs easier to spot... Of course, there would be a certain amount of reflected light from the icebergs.’
The captain nodded and stroked his beard.
‘Forgive me, Captain, but all this talk is making me a little concerned,’ I said.
‘I have been through iceberg warnings all my career and I have never hit one. Besides, we have some very reliable lookouts up in the nest who would warn us in plenty of time. And, as you know, they say this ship is iceberg-proof. Do you not trust our engineers?’
We all laughed and this helped to put my mind at ease.
‘Well, Doctor, I am going to retire. Please stay on the bridge for a while and keep Mr Lightoller company, if you wish. He likes a good mystery story as well as the next man.’
‘Thank you, Captain. I may take advantage of your offer.’
‘And Mr Lightoller...’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘If it becomes at all doubtful, let me know at once. I shall be just inside.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
THE NIGHT OF SUNDAY 14 APRIL 1912
By 11.15 pm, social activities on board the Titanic had nearly ended for the night. This city of 2,200 people was going to sleep. The public rooms were quiet, and most of the passengers and off-duty crew had retired to their cabins. The smoking room was still open but only a handful of passengers remained. At a side table, a marathon poker game continued. Other passengers were enjoying brandy and cigars at their tables, or standing by the fireplace. As I entered, I waved to Major Butt, Harry Widener and Mr Carter, who were seated near the bar and having a spirited conversation.
In this relaxed atmosphere, I found myself marvelling at the beauty and elegance of this ship. Even out here, on the cold Atlantic, I could come to this fine room and feel a sense of warmth. I studied the rich mahogany panelling, inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The painted windows, which lighted the room during the day, contained images of landscapes and ancient ships. I reflected on how man had come so far, and could create comfort amid such forbidding surroundings.
Holmes and Miss Norton had not yet arrived, so I removed my overcoat and walked over to the large, open fireplace. The painting above was a powerful image of a ship entering Plymouth Harbour. On the hearth below, the flames were beginning to die. I had hoped for a roaring fire to remove the chill from my bones. Instead, I stopped an elderly steward and asked him
to bring me a brandy.
As I held my hands to the weak flames, I listened to two men as they discussed our likely arrival time in New York. One estimated that we would arrive on time, and the other thought we might get in a few hours early. The steward, to whom I had just spoken, was still taking orders and overheard the conversation.
‘I think we will do better than that,’ said the steward.
‘Why do you say that?’ asked one of the men, who spoke in a French accent.
‘Because we are making faster speed than we were yesterday.’
‘And what do you know about it?’ the other man asked.
‘I heard it from the engine room.’
The man with the accent smiled and looked at his companion. ‘That does not mean anything.’
The steward, not to be dismissed so lightly, offered to prove his point.
‘Gentlemen, come and see for yourself. It is hard to tell here but you might notice that tonight the ship’s vibration is much greater than it has ever been. And if you will accompany me to the passageway just outside, you will see that the change is quite evident.’
The two men chuckled, shrugged and told the steward to lead the way.
After warming myself by the fire, I found a secluded table where Holmes, Miss Norton and I could discuss the day’s events without being disturbed. It was not long before they walked in side by side. Neither appeared to be in the best of spirits.
‘Watson,’ said Holmes, draping his overcoat on an empty table and flopping down in a chair, ‘I hope that one day when this story can be told, you do not mention these long stretches of failure. My enquiries today were less than successful.’
‘And I would prefer that you kept my name out of it entirely,’ said Miss Norton. ‘This is not one of my better moments.’
Unlike me, Holmes and Miss Norton had changed and were wearing more comfortable attire — that is, assuming they had taken the time to dine.
‘I just ordered a brandy,’ I said. ‘But it appears that I should have ordered three. Please remember, we might have been more successful if we had not been interrupted by a political incident.’
I saw the steward and waved him over to our table.
‘Yes, sir, I will bring your brandy right away. And may I bring anything for the rest of you?’
The commodore and Miss Norton also asked for brandy.
‘With or without ice, sir?’
‘Without ice, by all means,’ said Holmes. ‘I am still shivering from being out on deck.’
Miss Norton nodded.
‘Very good,’ said the steward, before heading off in the direction of the bar.
‘Where have you two been all evening?’ I asked. ‘I have not seen hide nor hair of either of you.’
‘Miss Norton has been kind enough to keep an eye on our chief suspects, and came back with a very satisfactory report, I might add,’ said Holmes.
‘Did you not see me in the restaurant? I was there,’ Miss Norton smiled. ‘I assumed you must have been distracted.’
I ignored her remark and asked a question that had been gnawing at me since dinner.
‘Did you see the baron approach Moriarty on deck?’
‘I did.’
‘And where was the baroness at the time?’
‘I am uncertain. She was with the baron just before he ran off to catch up with Moriarty. Then she bustled off in the direction of the stairway. I decided it would be better to keep an eye on the two men.’
‘Following the baroness might have been more interesting,’ I replied. ‘Did you hear that Moriarty’s cabin was broken into this afternoon — at least that is what he said.’
‘I did,’ said Holmes. Miss Norton looked surprised. ‘I did not have an opportunity to tell you as we walked in, but I would say that Frau Von Stern is at least our chief suspect in this burglary, and perhaps your break-in as well, Watson.’
‘If she was looking for the plans, that means the Von Sterns do not have them,’ I said.
‘That would appear to be the most likely hypothesis, but still...’
Holmes was interrupted by the arrival of the steward carrying three glasses of brandy on a tray.
‘There you are, gentlemen, Miss. That should take the chill out of you.’
‘Let me give you something for your trouble... ‘ I reached into my jacket pocket for some change. Instead, I removed a few items of miniature furniture.
Holmes handed a few coins to the steward, who smiled and walked away.
‘What have you there, Watson? Are you planning new furniture for your flat?’
I laughed, and emptied the full contents of my pocket on to the table.
‘Tommy’s toys. I had forgotten all about them. I put them in my dinner jacket pocket in hope of returning them this evening.’
‘Tommy?’ said Holmes.
‘A small boy I befriended. Miss Norton has met him. He left these toys when he ran off to church. Incidentally, he is a great fan of yours. And listen to this – he asked to become a Baker Street Irregular. Can you imagine that? He could not believe that all the Irregulars were grown up now.’
‘Well, if I were not in the guise of Commodore Winter, I would introduce myself... But on to the matters at hand.’ Holmes examined the toy sofas, tables, cabinets and fireplace casually as he spoke. ‘As I mentioned earlier, my efforts were less than successful today. There is a sad lack of evidence on the disappearance of Mr Strickley. I tried questioning the crew and others who might have been witnesses, but that too produced dismal results. Tomorrow we must reassemble and...’
Holmes was staring intently at the toys on the table. He had arranged them in a pattern. It appeared to be a formal setting of some kind.
‘What is it, Holmes?’
‘Do you recognize it, Watson? Do you see it?’
‘See what, Holmes?’ Miss Norton appeared puzzled as well.
‘My God, Watson, look around you!’
I looked more closely and ventured a guess. ‘The smoking room? The furniture does look familiar, but...’
‘I tell you, Watson, if I am right about this, I will personally decorate your friend Tommy as the greatest Baker Street Irregular of them all.’
‘Finish your drinks quickly. We are going to take a trip down to the reception room.’
Miss Norton and I stared at each other in wonder. ‘The model of the Titanic?’ I said. ‘But that is locked in a glass case.’
‘Locks can be opened,’ he said. ‘In fact, I would consider it to be highly likely that the late Mr Bishop had a key.’
‘Is not that a little far-fetched, Holmes? You think someone might have cleared out a section of the model and hidden the plans inside?’ asked Miss Norton.
‘If I am wrong, I will be duly embarrassed. But at the moment it is the best hypothesis we have.’
‘We will need a key, Holmes, and the captain is asleep.’
‘We will go down and take a look first. If it appears the thing has been tampered with, we may have to wake him up.’
‘I would hate to be the one to do it,’ I said. ‘Hell hath no fury like...’
At that moment, we felt a jarring motion and the toys began to move across the table. So did our brandy glasses. At the same time, there was a low, continuous noise, which could best be described as something between a whine and a roar. It went on for a nerve-wracking period of time. In fact, it was less than a minute.
‘What the devil was that!’ I shouted. Other passengers were looking excitedly about the room. Even the marathon card game was temporarily interrupted.
‘If we were not out in the middle of the Atlantic, I would say we had run aground,’ Miss Norton suggested. ‘You do not suppose something is wrong with the engines, do you?’
Holmes had risen from the table. ‘Let us go on deck.’ He appeared calm, but there was a distant, somewhat concerned look in his eyes.
We left the table and made our way quickly to the promenade deck on the starboard side of the ship. That is
when we saw it. In the starlit night, a mighty tower of ice was visible directly behind the ship. Rising just above the boat deck, the iceberg did not appear to be particularly menacing. Yet we had clearly made contact, perhaps below the water. The three of us stood at the rail and watched the iceberg disappear from sight.
The few of us who had been on deck and had actually seen the iceberg became instant celebrities. Latecomers were eager to find out what had happened. We explained what we had seen. As I was pointing out the direction of the iceberg to an excited passenger I felt a hand tugging at my forearm.
‘There is no time for this now, Watson, we have work to do.’
Holmes, Miss Norton and I walked quickly along the deck to the forward end of the ship. As I glanced back to take another look at the gathering crowd, I found myself slipping on a solid object and falling backwards. Fortunately, Miss Norton caught my arm and I regained my balance.
Holmes, who was well ahead, stopped and looked around. He saw the white chunk of ice gliding forwards on the deck. Stopping it with his foot, he picked it up and walked back towards us.
‘Are you all right, Watson?’
‘Yes, I am not hurt. Is that what I slipped on?’
He handed it to me. ‘Indeed, here is a souvenir for you. A genuine piece of an iceberg. It must have fallen off when we made contact... Are you able to carry on?’
‘Of course.’
‘Then let us proceed. We must get down to that model.’
We returned to the interior warmth of the ship and walked down the main staircase until we reached the reception room on Saloon Deck D. The lights had been dimmed, but the room’s furnishings were still clearly visible. We could not see the model of the ship from the grand staircase. It was to the right, by a wall that surrounded the boiler casing below the first smokestack. I looked at the dining-room doors on either side of this partition, wondering whether anyone would enter unexpectedly.
Upon reaching the case, Holmes peered through the glass and examined the upper portions of the model in great detail.
‘I cannot tell anything from here. We will have to get inside.’
‘Shall I get the captain?’ I asked.
‘No,’ said Holmes, reaching inside his coat. ‘Let me try something else first.’