Ransom at Sea Read Free

believe.”
    Lynn peered over Emily’s head at the old man. “Of the type that could be found in one of your friend Ransom’s favorite books.”
    Emily laughed in a quiet, ladylike fashion.
    Holmes’s arrival was followed closely by that of another man, this one the antithesis of the lawyer. He was thick around the middle and had damp black hair streaked with gray. His face was heavy, his cheeks sagging so much they appeared to be losing the war with the law of gravity. He wore a canary yellow shirt, lime green checkered pants, and white shoes. He made straight for the first bench.
    â€œWhy, hello, Miss Charters!” he said expansively. “So glad to see you this fine morning! Didn’t know you’d be coming on this little trip!”
    â€œGood morning, Mr. Driscoll,” Emily replied primly. “Lynn, this is Bertram Driscoll. Mr. Driscoll, my friend Lynn Francis.”
    â€œGlad to know you. And what’s all this Mr. Driscoll and Bertram stuff? Just call me Bertie!”
    Emily made a doubtful noise.
    He continued. “I really am glad to see you here. I can’t tell you! ’Least I know there’ll be some good company on the trip!” This statement was aimed over Emily’s head in the general direction of Claudia Trenton, who ignored it. He looked back down at Emily. “Yes, I’m certainly glad to see you here.”
    â€œThank you,” she replied. “The trip is a birthday present from a dear friend.”
    â€œWell, that’s nice! That’s very, very nice. This everybody, here?”
    Emily did a quick survey of the assembly. “I seem to remember the church bulletin saying there would be space for twelve. We’re a couple short.”
    â€œThat’s always assuming they actually got twelve people to join in this shindig.”
    â€œQuite.”
    â€œDidn’t have all that much notice.” He aimed the explanation at Lynn. “This here boat doesn’t usually go out this early—preseason, they call it. But the weather’s been so good that our preacher—”
    â€œReverend Hurley,” Emily interjected.
    â€œâ€”struck up the deal with the owner. I’d still be surprised if they filled up the tour. Most people our age are dead!” He laughed loudly at his own joke.
    Nobody spoke for a short time. Driscoll seemed rather uncomfortable with the silence.
    â€œBoy, she does look to be a regular tub, doesn’t she?”
    â€œHmm?” Emily said.
    â€œThe boat! The S.S. Genessee! Our home away from home for the next four days!”
    Emily glanced up at the deck and noted with dismay that the captain’s wife had turned in their direction, apparently unable to miss Driscoll’s booming comment.
    â€œI wouldn’t say that at all, Mr. Driscoll,” Emily said with surprising volume. “The boat looks rather charming to me.”
    Driscoll laughed loudly, and Emily feared that he was about to be even more embarrassing on the subject, but he was stopped by the sudden arrival of a small vehicle resembling a golf cart. It was driven by a youth who looked too young to have a license of any kind, and in the passenger seat was a tiny woman with windblown white hair, who looked a trifle startled, presumably because she hadn’t expected the conveyance to move at such a speed.
    The young man brought the cart to a stop behind the passengers, and Emily swiveled around on the bench so that she could see.
    â€œGood morning, Lily,” she said.
    The woman turned to her and blinked, then her lips moved. Lynn was unsure of whether or not a sound had emanated from them.
    â€œI beg your pardon, dear?” said Emily, leaning forward.
    Lily attempted a bit more volume. “I said, is this it? Am I in the right place?”
    â€œOf course you are!” Driscoll said with a hearty laugh. “Unless you think we’re all in the wrong place!”
    â€œYou said you