Death in the Middle Watch by Leo Bruce Page B

I have work to do this morning. Have a good time ashore.”
    The headmaster seemed distinctly put out when Carolus left him, but this passed, for a few moments later Mr Gorringer could be seen greeting several other passengers heartily, as they made their way towards the dock gates.
    Meanwhile Carolus was just in time to catch Sir Charles and Lady Spittals dressed ready to go ashore but delayed by the unwillingness of Sir Charles to leave the saloon.
    â€œYou go, dear,” the ex-Lord Mayor said after they had both greeted Carolus.
    â€œIsn’t that just like him?” Lady Spittals demanded of Carolus, or of the world in general. “We’ve booked a nice expedition with some of the cruisers and he says ‘you go’ as though I wanted to get off with someone. It’s always ‘you go’ with him. I don’t know why he bothers to get up in the morning at all.”
    â€œI was going to ask you whether you would be so good as to answer a few questions,” Carolus said tentatively. “About last night.”
    â€œThat poor thing!” said Lady Spittals. She at once sat down and seemed to forget the expedition ashore, attracted by this new and exciting topic. “It’s true, then? She was murdered?”
    â€œTrue or not,” said Carolus evasively, “I think you’re more likely to know what happened than anyone.”
    â€œMe? I don’t know what you mean.”
    â€œMr Deene is reminding us that we were in the cabin next door,” said Sir Charles. “Wasn’t that it, Mr Deene?”
    â€œYes. I thought you were bound to hear something.”
    â€œNot a sound,” said Lady Spittals. “That’s why we couldn’t believe it when we heard this morning what had happened.”
    â€œWhat did you hear?”
    â€œAbout these men coming out in a yacht and murdering Mrs Darwin. At least that’s what we were told. It seems they were some kind of Arabs.”
    â€œCypriots, didn’t the lady say?” suggested Sir Charles.
    â€œOr was it the I.R.A.? One of those lots anyhow. But they must have been silent doing it because we never heard a murmur. Why should they have picked on her, I wonder? She seemed quite a harmless sort of woman. Not what you’d call a ball of fire but not one you’d think would get her throat cut like that.”
    â€œI thought we were told she was smothered?” said Sir Charles.
    â€œWhat does it matter? She was murdered, anyway. And to think we slept right through it all.”
    â€œYou didn’t hear any voices?”
    â€œNo. Of course the engines make some noise. Perhaps that’s what drowned it.”
    Just then another woman hurried up to them.
    â€œCome along, you two!” she said excitedly. “We’re all waiting!”
    â€œHe doesn’t want to come,” said Lady Spittals, not bitterly but apparently with amusement. “He says, ‘You go,dear’”—and just then Sir Charles said it. Indeed, what else was there to say?
    â€œAll right, I will!” said Lady Spittals defiantly. “And I hope you enjoy yourself sitting there all day. Come on, Mrs Popple.”
    The two hurried out, leaving Sir Charles with a look of something like contentment on his face.
    â€œSteward!” he called with unexpected vigour, and to Carolus, “Will you have a drink? I know it’s a bit early, but I could do with one.”
    Carolus agreed.
    It was while the steward was bringing their drinks that Carolus became aware of a curious sniffing noise behind him and, turning round, saw Miss Berry, with red eyes and a sodden handkerchief. He swallowed his whisky and went across to her. He was not very good at situations like this. Did one say “Now, now” or “This won’t do, will it?” He went for a simple question.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” he asked.
    She shook her head.
    â€œHave a drink?” tried