The Titanic Secret by Jack Steel Page B

only do as first-class passengers. As Tremayne had already noted, the Titanic operated a rigidly defined class system, and passengers travelling on second- or third-class tickets were forbidden from entering any of the first-class spaces.
    The cabin was panelled in wood – Tremayne thought it was probably walnut, but he was far from certain – inlaid with smaller panels containing an attractive red velvet. The floor was carpeted in a light gold colour. Against one wall stood a comfortable-looking double bed, and the other furniture comprised a dining table with two chairs, plus an occasional table and an easy chair with an elongated base, something like a modified chaise longue.
    The steward showed them the wardrobes and cupboards, and advised them that their luggage would be delivered to the stateroom shortly.
    ‘This stateroom does not have a private bathroom, I’m afraid,’ he said, ‘but there are bathrooms and ladies’ and gentlemen’s toilets on the other side of the corridor. The first-class dining saloon and the reception room are all on D-Deck midships. There’s information about the ship on the table over there, including things like restaurant menus and, of course, the first-class passenger list. Now, is there anything else I can help you with?’
    Tremayne shook his head, followed the steward to the door and slipped a few coins into his hand.
    ‘How much did you tip him?’ Maria asked. ‘I mean, what’s the usual rate on board a ship like this?’
    ‘I gave him half a crown, but I’ve absolutely no idea if that’s the right amount,’ Tremayne replied. ‘As I said, the only other vessels I’ve ever been on as a passenger are the cross-Channel steamers. But I thought it was a good idea to pay him something, because if we need anything during this voyage, we’re much more likely to get it if the steward thinks he’ll get a good tip if he delivers what we want.’
    Maria looked around the stateroom again, and then her eyes settled on the double bed.
    Tremayne followed her glance.
    ‘Don’t worry, that’s not a problem,’ he said. ‘We’re supposed to be married, and that means we have to keep up the pretence. The last thing we want is for the stewards or chambermaids to start wondering why a young married couple aren’t sleeping together. But that chaise longue thing looks perfectly comfortable to me, so I’ll sleep there and you can take the bed.’
    Any further discussion was halted by a discreet tap on the door. Tremayne opened it, and two other stewards stepped into the stateroom carrying their luggage.
    ‘Would you like us to put your clothes away for you, sir?’ one of them asked, lowering the cases to the floor.
    ‘No thanks,’ Tremayne replied briskly. ‘My wife always insists on doing it herself. But thank you anyway.’
    Tremayne was very conscious of the weapons and ammunition concealed in his portmanteau. Under no circumstances did they want anyone to discover them.
    Once the stewards had left the stateroom, Tremayne walked across to the table and picked up the information sheets which Alfred had mentioned. He looked at the first-class passenger list and quickly scanned through the names. Then he nodded.
    ‘Mansfield Cumming was right,’ he said. ‘The only section of a passenger list which is accurate is the first leg of a voyage, from the vessel’s original departure point. After that, it gets increasingly inaccurate as some passengers disembark and others join the ship. This list was probably prepared today or yesterday. Our aliases, Mr and Mrs Maitland are on it, but although we know that Gunther Voss will be joining the ship at Cherbourg later this afternoon, his name isn’t included. I was hoping we might be able to find out his stateroom number from this, but it looks like we’ll have to do it the hard way.’
    He looked at the front of the passenger list and then chuckled.
    ‘What is it?’ Maria asked.
    ‘It looks as if this ship might be more than just a