Blood on the Line

‘There’s a small fortune on this ship.’

‘Then it needs to go to people like us who appreciate it.’ They smiled conspiratorially. ‘The crucial thing is to maintain their trust. That’s why I’m careful when I play cards of an evening. If I wanted to, I could win almost every hand but that would give the game away, so I allow others to have their share of the winnings.’

‘I hadn’t realised you were a practised cardsharp Jerry.’

‘Oh, I have many strings to my bow.’

‘I’ve discovered that. What other secrets are there in store?’

‘That would be telling,’ he said, archly.

They were diverted by a shout that brought all the other passengers rushing to their side of the deck. A school of whales had appeared in the middle distance, rising playfully out of the water before diving back into it. Irene was diverted by the spectacle and Oxley savoured it for a while. He then looked along the line of passengers and saw how vulnerable they all were to anyone with light fingers. Pressed against the bulwark, feeling the spray and the wind in their faces, they were so enraptured by the antics of the whales that they’d never feel wallets being removed or watches being lifted gently from their waistcoat pockets. Tempted as he was, Oxley stayed his hand. The moment of truth would eventually come.

Only when the ship had sailed past the whales did Irene turn back to him. Her eyes were bright with wonder.

‘Wasn’t that a wonderful sight!’ she said.

‘There’ll be lots more before we reach New York.’

‘I’ve read about whales in books but I never dreamt that I’d actually see any. They were an absolute joy.’

‘Shall I tell you why?’ he asked. ‘They were celebrating their freedom. They have the whole ocean in which to play and they were revelling in the fact. We should do the same, Irene. Because we left England, we’ve bought our liberty and can enjoy it as much as that school of whales.’

‘They’re not entirely free,’ she argued. ‘People hunt whales.’

‘Then we have even more liberty than they do, Irene. Nobody can hunt us now. We’ll never have a harpoon hurled at us.’

‘What if Inspector Colbeck finds out where we’ve gone?’

‘That will never happen,’ he said with a confident laugh. ‘And even if it did, there’d be nothing he could do. Colbeck belongs in our past just like your father. We’ll simply forget him as a person and preserve his memory on our passports.’

‘It was an inspiration to call ourselves Mr and Mrs Colbeck.’

‘I regard it as theft of the highest order, Irene. We’re two unconscionable villains yet we bear the name of a famous detective.’ He smirked. ‘There’s something almost poetic about that.’

SS Jura, a vessel of the Allan Line, was a propeller-driven steamship capable of a speed of eleven knots. While its beam engines provided its motive power, it also had ample amounts of canvas to harness the wind. With a gross weight of 2,241 tons, it was bigger, heavier and more majestic than Leeming had ever imagined. Launched in 1854 for the Cunard Line, it had been a troop transport during the Crimean War and had given good service. It then plied Mediterranean routes before being transferred to the Atlantic where Liverpool, Cork and New York were its ports of call. When he first stepped aboard, Leeming discovered that the vessel had a pleasing solidity. Yet even though Colbeck had explained to him how an iron ship could float without sinking, he remained nervous. When it sailed off down the Mersey, therefore, he half-expected it to founder at any moment.

‘We’re so low in the water,’ he complained.

‘That’s because we have maximum coal stocks aboard,’ said Colbeck. ‘As they get used up, you’ll notice a progressive improvement.’

‘The engines are so loud.’

‘You’ll soon get accustomed to that.’

‘Can the ship really carry so many people? It’s a full passenger list and there must be well over a hundred crew members.’

‘I daresay she carried far more people when she was a troop ship. Soldiers, horses and equipment would have been crammed in. The Jura had no problem catering for such numbers. She came through the experience with flying colours.’

Leeming pulled a face. ‘I’m not sure that I will, sir.’

‘You’ll find your sea legs in time.’

‘I don’t think I have any.’ He looked up and down the deck. ‘I never thought she’d be this long.’

‘She’s over a hundred yards from stem to stern,’ said Colbeck. ‘There’s enough room for us all to promenade without bumping into each other.’

‘What are we going to do all day?’

‘We’ll soon fall into a routine, Victor. By the way, I noticed that they have chessboards available in the saloon.’

‘But I can’t play chess, Inspector.’

‘It will be a pleasure to teach you.’

For the first couple of days, Leeming was unable to concentrate on anything but the queasiness of his stomach. Once he adapted to the roll of the ship, however, he was able to exercise on deck and take a full part in the social activities on board. He shared a state room with Colbeck that had been ingeniously designed to make the utmost use of the limited space. They had comfortable bunks, a table and two chairs bolted to the floor, large cupboards and a porthole through which they could watch the waves rippling past. The food was excellent and the portions generous. The stewards were universally pleasant and efficient. Every effort had been made to ensure that the passengers enjoyed the voyage.

Colbeck decided that they would not divulge the true nature of their business aboard. He confided in the captain but everyone else was told that he and Leeming were visiting friends in New York. They could hide their credentials but they couldn’t curb their instincts. When a succession of thefts occurred from first-class state rooms, the detectives felt obliged to offer their help and – by setting a trap – they caught the thief red-handed. The captain was so grateful that he invited them to dine at his table.

A week after they’d set out, Leeming admitted that all his fears about the voyage had been without foundation. Over a game of chess with Colbeck, he even claimed to be relishing the experience.

‘It’s been an education,’ he said. ‘I’ve learnt something new every day. There are so many interesting people aboard.’

‘The most interesting person I’ve met is the chief engineer,’ Colbeck told him. ‘I spent half an hour in the engine room with him this morning. It’s fascinating to see the stokers at work. They’re the real heroes aboard this vessel.’

‘And there was me, wondering what we’d do all day.’

‘Think of all the stories you’ll have to tell your children.’

‘We’ve seen so many amazing things,’ said Leeming, moving a bishop to take one of Colbeck’s pawns. ‘And even when the weather keeps us below deck, there’s plenty to keep us occupied. Who’d have thought there’d be a library aboard?’

‘That book about New York I borrowed is a revelation.’

‘I’m still reading the novel you recommended – The Adventures of Roderick Random. I’ve never had time to read a whole book before.’

‘This is a voyage of discovery for you, Victor,’ said Colbeck, shifting his queen to capture one of Leeming’s knights. ‘You’re doing new things every day.’

‘Yes,’ said Leeming, using his bishop to capture another pawn. ‘Wait until I tell my children how easily I mastered chess.’

Colbeck smiled. ‘You haven’t quite mastered it yet.’

‘But I’ve taken all these pawns off you.’

‘I was happy to sacrifice them because it enabled me to relieve you of more important pieces. You should guard your king with more care, Victor.’ Colbeck moved his queen again. ‘Checkmate.’