Death in the Middle Watch

Death in the Middle Watch Read Free Page B

Book: Death in the Middle Watch Read Free
Author: Leo Bruce
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managed to escape?”
    â€œYes I did. But only because a girl who worked in the sick bay came by and they went after her. She was blonde and wore a lot of makeup. She didn’t seem to mind and of course I was delighted.”
    â€œOf course,” said Carolus.
    â€œWhere are you sitting in the dining saloon? I expect I’m at the Captain’s table—being alone on board.”
    â€œI expect you are,” said Carolus, comfortingly but insincerely. “I shall see you there.”
    â€œTa ta for now,” said Miss Berry.
    â€œI know her sort,” said the Purser sourly when she had gone. “There’s a rude name for her. A something teaser. Hullo, I wonder who these are?”
    Another couple, three single men, two girls and yet another couple came by and departed to search for their cabins. Then Mr Ratchett said, “This is the Dunleary family that Porteous has got such a wind up about. He’s had all theirluggage searched for bombs. Windy bastard. They’re just a noisy middle-class Irish family. No harm in them at all. But what about these? Pretty sinister, if you ask me.”
    â€œThese” were the Sticks, dressed for foreign travel. Mrs Stick, for some reason unknown as yet to Carolus, had exchanged her steel-rimmed glasses for ones with dark lenses, and Stick looked about him suspiciously. They gave no sign of recognition to Carolus, but as they passed him Mrs Stick whispered—or would it be more correct to say “hissed”?—”See you later, sir. Mustn’t stop now.”
    â€œI should think,” said the Purser jovially to Carolus, “I should think you’d get some pretty good copy out of this lot, one way or another. I wonder where they dig them up from?”
    â€œYour cruises are advertised quite widely,” said Carolus, then added, “I thought you didn’t take coloured people?”
    A very dark African-looking man was approaching.
    â€œOh, you mustn’t take any notice of Porteous. The girls in the office have put a stop to that sort of thing this summer. They threatened to report him to the Race Relations Board and he had to give in.”
    â€œI congratulate the girls in the office.”
    â€œOld hat, that sort of thing. All the kitchen staff are Goanese and first-rate they are, so what the hell? This one who’s just coming aboard is a West Indian. Alexander Carlisle, his name is. I’ve put him at the Captain’s table next to Porteous. That’ll teach old P a lesson.”
    â€œMr Porteous explained to me how loyal everyone was to the Company, by which I took it he meant himself.”
    â€œAre they, hell? But we all have our illusions. I don’t know who this man is coming up now.” Mr Ratchett consulted a list. “I think his name is Stopford. I can’t know everyone by name. Good evening. Mr Stopford,” he called cheerily.
    The man who had approached gave him a very hostile look from two steel-grey eyes.
    â€œRunwell,” he corrected.
    â€œOf course, Mr Runwell.”
    â€œDoctor,” the man reproved him again.
    â€œYes. I remember now. I hope you’ll have a pleasant trip, Dr Runwell.”
    â€œI’m taking it purely for my health,” said the other severely, as he passed on.
    â€œWhat can you say?” the Purser asked Carolus with a chuckle. “Now this one just approaching is crackers. Barking. Up the wall. We had him a year ago. Wait till you hear him.”
    The cruiser, a powerful-looking fellow in his forties, informed the Purser that the ship ought to be taken out of commission.
    â€œThe breaker’s yard is all it’s fit for.”
    â€œYou’ll pardon the question, Mr Medlow, but why do you book a passage on her in that case?”
    Mr Medlow stared.
    â€œWhy do I book a passage? Why? You know very well. I have to make my report. You’re perfectly aware of that. And 1 shan’t be deterred from it,

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