The Furt The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Titanic Tragedy

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.’