Maiden Voyage

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 273, 28 August 1948, Page 7

Maiden Voyage

Serial Story

By Harry Edmonds

(Copyright)

CHAPTER X. DETECTIVES ABOARD

The gale abated as quickly as it had started, and the purple and ochre hues of Portugal’s hilly coast appeared in a glorious burst of sunshine across the indigo blu-e heave of the Atlantic swell far in the distance. 'They steamed southward, the temperature rose, and the vivid contrast of yellows, purples and greens on the Portuguese' coast, were kept in view on the port. beam. Late in the morning, they found themselves steaming through the Lisbon fishing fleet and watched with interest the brave little trawlers as they faced the rounded billows of the swell, and with their brown spankers feet in the light breeze to steady themselves, rose and plunged until a third of the length of their green keels could be seen raised clear of the water, to dip and plunge in a shower of sparkling spray with the passing of the swell. The little steamers signalled to each other with blasts on the siren as they towed their trawl. Once more the boat deck and the fairy grotto swimming pools became the favourite rendezvous during the morning and early afternoon hours, until by the time the passengers had dressed and assembled for dinner, the main topic of conversation had become the visit to Lisbon. .

Before the evening drew to a close, however, Dick Leverton and William Johnston witnessed an incident which set many tongues wagging. Attracted by the rumours of play for high stakes, and by the excitement of the crowd entering and leaving the ship’s Casino, they strolled to the press of people around the centre table and watched for some time the play. Looking on with them from an. inconspicuous corner and observing each visitor closely, were two men whom Johnston was quite convinced were the ship’s detectives. A minor sensatibn was caused when a t mail of inilitary bearing rose from the table and called: “Well, my luck refuses to change. I resign until tomorrow. Would anyone care to join me in a hand of bridge, or I’ll still he willing to risk a gamble, perhaps a hand at poker?”

Another man across the. table rose and called: “Oh not bridge, that’s too slow for me, but poker, I’ll make one of a party.” “T expect you will, sir,” acknowledged the first man. “I’ve observed that you’ve been winning handsomely.” “Well, my luck will turn, it always does. I don’t mind you having a look in, you deserve it after your losses.”

The two left the table and their seats were immediately filled. “Any ladies or gentlemen care to form a party?” exclaimed the man who had been losing. “Just for a little while,” said an onlooker, a man whom it was obvious to see was keen on the prospect of a gamble. Two other men joined and they formed a party at a table in a corner.

Several onlookers, drew chairs towards them, afraid to risk a game in strange company themselves, but excited by the prospect of witnessing other people’s losses and gains, for it was obvious the stakes were going to be high. Two young women, smoking cigarettes and completely self-possess-ed, asked to join the “school” and were received with applause. Tho party, now consisting of seven people, commenced to play. Dick and William Johnston stood leaning against the artistically-decor-ated bulkhead and'watched. Within a quarter of an hour, the stakes had mounted and great risks were being taken as the gambling fever took hold. At first, one of the young ladies plunged and won heavily, the other played cautiously and lost slowly with only 'an occasional slight win to recompense.

The two men who had inaugurated the party seemed to be real losers, their luck appeared to he right out and they complained loudly and in mock bitterness.

The stakes began to be doubled and trebled. Wads of notes changed hands in addition to the chips, and at last each of the two men began to win in •turn.’ Their wins, at a time when the stakefe had mounted so high, more than balanced their previous losses. “This is the end of the excitement, so far as I’m concerned,” murmured Johnston in. an aside' to Leverton. “Those two fellows are, the professionals. You would never guess it to look at them,'would you? Hand in glove, although they, never look at each other. They have a perfect system of signalling by movements. I’ve seen one particular movement done three-limes now, and each time the other fellow has over-called.”’ *

“Yes, I’ve , just managed to spot it myself,” replied Dick in a low voice. “But only because' I have watched all their moves closely. I haven’t bothered about the others, but I’ve kept a mental note of the fair man with the military moustache, at present I make him about one hundred and eighty pounds to the good.” “You notice the ship’s detectives are not watching this party at all. They seem more concerned about the players at the centre table where the play is absolutely safe.” “Should we give them a hint?” “Not to-night. Let some of these passengers complain first when they wake to-morrow with clear brains. Then we can warn the detectives of our suspicions; but we’ll have to he careful. We dare not make any direct accusation. These fellows are playing so cleverly that we shall be unable to prove anything.” “I notice that the fellow facing us has glanced at, us once or twice. Let us walk away, he may be getting suspicious; we can return in half an hour’s time and'see how the game is going. \ “Agreed,” said Johnston. “Wluit do you propose? Joining the Professor, Lord El til am, and the Chief Engineer at the concert, or watching a film, or singing a chorus at the German beer garden?” “The last,” replied Leverton. “Let us walk forward along the outside promenade deck. I might persuade Miss Kinahan to join us.” The two men left the Casino and, gaining the upper promenade deck on the port side, walked forward side by side. The rolling waters of the bay glistened under the soft light of the moon and stars which peeped between the strings of light cloud. Some distance, and Tight abeam, a large steamer was passing them heading north, her red navigation light, shining balefully amidst the cluster of white deck lights. From outside the hull came the strong music of Neptune from the hursts of spray and hiss of

displaced water as the Queen of Carthage'kept at full speed with an upright keel against the strong swell. (To Be Continued). Tho characters in this story are entirely imaginary. No reference is intended to any living person or to any public or private company.