The Pleasure Cruise Mystery by Robin Forsythe

no necklaces, but several bracelets and three magnificent rings. He noted the absence of wedding ring and signet ring, both of which Mrs. Mesado must have discarded for the evening when dressing. Among these articles, however, was a passport, and as Colvin busied himself with his search Vereker picked up the passport and examined it. He glanced rapidly down the descriptive particulars: Height, 5 ft. 2 in.; colour of eyes, grey; colour of hair, fair. The item “Special peculiarities” had been left blank. Taking a good look at the photograph, which like many passport photographs was a very poor likeness of the bearer, he tossed the book back on the table and made a rapid search of the cabin. During this procedure he carefully examined several pairs of the dead lady’s shoes, noting they were size 5 and scrutinising the soles, especially those of the right foot. He opened the cabin wardrobe and glanced at the dresses hanging there. As he took careful stock of them a look of amazement was born on his face, but was instantly suppressed.
    â€œI’m afraid I’ve drawn blank,” he remarked to Colvin, who, heedless of Vereker, was now busy replacing Mrs. Mesado’s belongings in her dressing case.
    â€œThe confounded thing’s not here either,” said the latter and, closing the dressing case, carefully relocked it and rose to his feet.
    In one corner of the cabin stood a very capacious cabin trunk, which had caught Vereker’s eye on his first entry.
    â€œHave you gone through that Saratoga?” he asked.
    â€œYes, once, fairly carefully,” replied Colvin and seemed about to give up the search as fruitless. Then, as if assailed by some swift doubt, he crossed to the trunk, unlocked it and flung up its lid. Vereker came and stood over him as he knelt down and ran swiftly through its contents. The latter consisted of one or two dresses, some silk stockings and underwear which only half filled the trunk. These articles of clothing too had apparently been thrust into the trunk in great haste, for their arrangement was singularly unlike a woman’s tidy method of packing. Vereker was struck by this fact, and concluded that they had been disarranged by Colvin during his first search for the missing necklace.
    â€œNo, I’m afraid it’s gone,” said Colvin in a despairing tone. “I wonder what the devil she could have done with it?”
    â€œIt may have been stolen, though that appears an unlikely contingency. Barring yourselves, Doctor Macpherson, Fuller, Ricardo and me, no one so far as we know has entered the cabin.”
    â€œSuppose for a moment it has been stolen, what am I to do?” asked Colvin, turning to Vereker.
    â€œReport the loss to the purser. The captain’s omnipotent on board his ship, and I dare say he could order every cabin to be thoroughly searched if he felt that the necklace had been stolen.”
    â€œThat’d be an unpleasant sort of thing at the commencement of a pleasure cruise,” remarked Colvin ruefully.
    â€œYes, like a politician, the captain would doubtless explore every avenue before resorting to such a drastic expedient. In any case you can report to the purser later on. He’d probably suggest something helpful in the circumstances. Such losses must have occurred before in his experience. He’ll certainly impress on you that the company isn’t responsible.”
    With these words Vereker glanced at his watch and uttered a mild exclamation of surprise.
    â€œThanks very much for your help, Vereker. I don’t see that we can do any more,” said Colvin, taking the hint, and added, “I’ll get back to Constance. She’ll be wondering what has happened to me.”
    The two men left the cabin. Colvin switched off the light, locked the door and thrust the key in his pocket. In the alleyway he again thanked Vereker for his assistance and, bidding him good morning, turned and disappeared into