The Pleasure Cruise Mystery Read Online Free Page B

neck the emerald butterfly clasp of a fine necklace of diamonds. She had evidently dressed for dinner. While he was tying a black evening tie Ricardo, who had already changed, sauntered into his cabin smoking a cigarette with lazy self-satisfaction.
    â€œHow do I look in borrowed plumes, Algernon? Aubrey’s guzzle garments fit me to a nicety. He was out when I called at his flat in Clarges Street. I persuaded his valet that I had Aubrey’s authority to take them. Wrote him a letter of condolence immediately I got on board. They’re really too good to return, and in any case Aubrey can afford another suit. Also tried on his deck shoes, but they were miles too big. Aubrey would be a tall man if he hadn’t so much turned up to make feet. He’s a bit lacking upstairs; balance of Nature I suppose. I had to hump round to Buhl’s in the Arcade and make a costly investment which depleted me considerably.”
    â€œI see you’ve already made the acquaintance of the dark lady?”
    â€œBit of luck, wasn’t it? Got off the mark as if I were being chased by a man with a writ. She’s a Miss Penteado. Saw her and her mother having tea together and pounced on the psychological moment, whatever that may mean. Some fool with a preposterous diamond ring tried to intermeddle, but I outflanked him and put him in a conversational barbed wire enclosure with the mother. He finally wriggled free looking a beaten man, and afterwards I met him at the bar standing our neighbour Colvin innumerable cocktails. Managed to bullock in discreetly and get treated. Thinking it was safe I generously offered a return. It was an error of judgment. I hadn’t reckoned on Colvin. Dias, the chappie crouching behind the diamond, refused. Colvin said he never drank more than one cocktail but graciously expressed a desire for a large whisky and soda. He remarked that he was feeling cold. I succumbed gallantly but wished him in a very warm place. From their conversation when I came over the horizon I should say they weren’t strangers to one another. I don’t like the look of Dias; he’s an untidy bit of sculpture.”
    â€œI saw the Colvins on deck this afternoon. His wife’s a good-looker, but I wasn’t too favourably impressed by him,” remarked Vereker.
    â€œIn my opinion, he’s not a bad sort on the whole, Algernon. Suffers from a common form of throat trouble; the only remedy is alcohol. I’d be a martyr to it myself, but my pocket keeps it fairly well in check. See anything of Mrs. Mesado?”
    â€œShe had just finished dressing for dinner when I passed her cabin. She has her maid with her.”
    â€œI know. I met the maid in the fairway just now. She’s a pirate’s prize. Has wet lips and swings her hips imperially. Her eyes are a misfit; they’re distrustful and tell you that man alone is vile. I stepped aside like a courtier to let her pass and smiled appreciatively. I was declined without thanks and crept into your shelter feeling thoroughly unbuttoned. Still, I’m not defeated. I must live romantically, and it’s either Mrs. Mesado’s maid or the dark lady from Buenos Aires. I shall have to toss up and decide some time tonight. The dark lady is an heiress to untold wealth, and I’m afraid it gives her a cynical bias against disinterested flirtation. She thinks every admirer is making a knight’s move on her fortune, while the maid fears you are making a frontal attack on her virtue.”
    â€œCome along, Ricky, I’m ready.”
    â€œAbout time too. I’m feeling in the mood for a Trimalchian feast.”
    The orchestra were playing the first few bars of Lincke’s waltz, “Venus on Earth”; the dining saloon was swiftly filling up with a vivacious and well-dressed throng of passengers; the air was humming with the noise of their movement and talk, the clatter of crockery, the clink of silver; every now and then