Part 44 (1/2)
The Professor, in a borrowed overcoat and cap, was reclining at full length, studying a book on seagulls which he had found in the library.
Laura and Lenora were both dozing tranquilly. Mr. Harris of Scotland Yard was deep in a volume of detective stories.
”As a pleasure cruise,” Quest remarked grimly, ”this little excursion seems to be a complete success.”
Laura opened her eyes at once.
”Trying to get my goat again, eh?” she retorted. ”I suppose that's what you're after. Going to tell me, I suppose, that it wasn't Craig I saw board this steamer?”
”We are all liable to make mistakes,” Quest observed, ”and I am inclined to believe that this is one of yours.”
Laura's expression was a little dogged.
”If he's too clever for you and Mr. Harris,” she said, ”I can't help that.
I only know that he came on board. My eyes are the one thing in life I do believe.”
”If you'll excuse my saying so, Miss Laura,” Harris ventured, leaning deferentially towards her, ”there isn't a pa.s.senger on board this s.h.i.+p, or a servant, or one of the crew, whom we haven't seen. We've been into every stateroom, and we've even searched the hold. We've been over the s.h.i.+p, backwards and forwards. The Captain's own steward has been our guide, and we've conducted an extra search on our own account. Personally, I must say I have come to the same conclusion as Mr. Quest. At the present moment there is no such person as the man we are looking for, on board this steamer.”
”Then he either changed on to another one,” Laura declared obstinately, ”or else he jumped overboard.”
Harris, who was a very polite man, gazed thoughtfully seaward. Quest smiled.
”When Laura's set on a thing,” he remarked, ”she takes a little moving.
What do you think about it, Professor?”
The Professor laid down his book, keeping his finger in the place. He had the air of a man perfectly content with himself and his surroundings.
”My friend,” he said, ”I boarded this steamer with only one thought in my mind--Craig. At the present moment, I feel myself compelled to plead guilty to a complete change of outlook. The horrors of the last few months seem to have pa.s.sed from my brain like a dream. I lie here, I watch these white-winged birds wheeling around us, I watch the suns.h.i.+ne make jewels of the spray, I breathe this wonderful air, I relax my body to the slow, soothing movements of the boat, and I feel a new life stealing through me.
Is Craig really on board? Was it really he whom Miss Laura here saw? At the present moment, I really do not care. I learn from the steward, who arranged my bath this morning, that we are bound for India. I am very glad to hear it. It is some time since I saw Bombay, and the thought of these long days of complete peace fills me with a most indescribable satisfaction.”
Quest grunted a little as he knocked the ash from his cigar.
”Not much of the bloodhound about the Professor,” he remarked. ”What about you, Lenora?”
She smiled at him.
”I agree entirely with the Professor,” she murmured, ”except that I am not quite so sure that I appreciate the rhythmical movement of the boat as he seems to. For the rest, I have just that feeling that I would like to go on and on and forget all the horrible things that have happened, to live in a sort of dream, and wake up in a world from which Craig had vanished altogether.”
”Enervating effect this voyage seems to be having upon you all,” Quest grumbled. ”Even Harris there looks far too well contented with life.”
The detective smiled. He was young and fresh-coloured, with a shrewd but pleasant face. He glanced involuntarily at Laura as he spoke.
”Well, Mr. Quest,” he said, ”I didn't bring you on the steamer so I don't feel any responsibility about it, but I must confess that I am enjoying the trip. I haven't had a holiday this year.”
Quest struggled to his feet and threw back the rug in his chair.
”If you all persist in turning this into a pleasure cruise,” he remarked, ”I suppose I'll have to alter my own point of view. Come on, Harris, you and I promised to report to the Captain this morning. I don't suppose he'll be any too pleased with us. Let's get through with it.”
The two men walked down the deck together. They found the Captain alone in his room, with a chart spread out in front of him and a pair of compa.s.ses in his hand. He turned round and greeted them.