SPRING 1889
“How are sales faring for the month, Linus?” asked Edmund as he walked over to an open window to light his cigarette, mindful of his partner’s intolerance for the fumes.
About to settle down with his afternoon, Linus reluctantly placed his cup back onto the saucer and opened the ledger book.
“Slightly over last month,” Linus replied. The gentlemen from Bangladesh who needed passage of his tigers back to India put us over the top.”
Edmund exhaled a plume of smoke. “Excellent. If we keep at this rate we most certainly will be able to close up shop during July.” He looked around the room with disdain. “New York is absolutely unbearable during the summer.”
Linus closed the ledger and placed it on the shelf behind his desk. “And where do you plan on traveling?”
“Canada. Montreal to be specific. The cooler climate will keep my nerves in check…”
Knuckles rapped against the office door. Before they could respond a barrel-chested man who came hurrying in, wide-eyed and pale faced. He removed his cap and clenched in it his hands.
“Mr. Edmund Jessop? Mr. Linus Gordon?” He asked looking at them expectantly.
Edmund nodded. “We are they,” he asked, looking over the man. “Which vessel did you sail in from, Captain?”
The man looked at Edmund bewildered as he ran his hand throw his thick salt and pepper hair. “How did you know that, sir?”
“Callused, cracked hands such as yours do not come from working indoors.” He gestured to an empty chair. “Please have a seat.”
He was visibly distressed as he continued to mash his hat in his hands. “My name is Frank Saverfeld. Captain of the Paul Henry.”
“Would you care for a cup of tea, Captain?” asked Linus.
“No thank you. I am fine.”
Edmund sat down next to the man. “You seem agitated, sir. Has availability opened up on your vessel that you need assistance in finding another client?”
“No. Quite the contrary.” He paused for a moment as he looked at the two men. “Is it true that both of you served in the British Merchant Navy?”
Linus nodded. “Yes. I was a Steward aboard the Sea Mist while Edmund served as Boatswain.”
Captain Saverfeld nodded. “Good. I’m glad I was not misinformed. I’ve heard of how you solved the Bonnington Mystery aboard the Sea Mist while you served under it.”
Edmund cordially smiled. “That was a long time ago, Captain, and I’m afraid that the story has somewhat warped over the years. I’m certain the truth is not nearly as sensational as the version you’ve most likely heard.”
The Captain shook his head. “That maybe so. But let me ask, if you not for your intellects, would more lives have been lost on the ship?”
Linus waved it dismissingly. “We merely added the facts, my good man. Nothing more.”
Saverfeld practically bounced off his seat with excitement. “And that is precisely why I need your help! I am at my wits end, gentlemen. My wits end.”
“Have you contacted the police?” asked Linus.
“I’ve spoken to the authorities but…”
“Why don’t you share with us the details of your story, Captain Saverfeld?” said Edmund.
“It was during my last voyage. I had a hull brimming with sugar cane bound from South America. About three days into the journey one of my men, Rogers, was found in the galley dead.”
“What time of day was he found?” asked Edmund.
“Dawn. Our Steward found him when he arrived to prepare the morning chow. He found Rogers slumped over a table.”
“Any evidence as to how he was killed?”
“None what so ever. No knife wounds or bludgeoning could be located on his body. But what troubled me most was his death mask.”
“Please explain,” said Edmund.
“It was his eyes, Mr. Jessop. Wide and white as I ever did see a pair. And his mouth was open and contorted as if he had experienced such agony I can not even fathom.”
“Sounds like a heart seizure,” said Linus.
Saverfeld shook his head. “The man was in good shape. Strong like an ox. Good with his fists. Once we had an unruly sailor on our hands midway through a voyage. It looked like we were going to have to the lock the bloke up for the remainder of the trip. But all it took was two blows from Rogers’s fists and the man became as quiet as a church mouse until we made landfall.”
“Perhaps he had too much to drink? All it takes is one awkward swell to loose your footing.”
“Impossible. I keep the grog under lock and key. While we are underway it is strictly rationed out based on how well the Mates keep the ship maintained.
“Did this man, Rogers, have any enemies on board?”
“Not at all. He treated the men under his command with respect. It was sad day indeed when we slid his body off to Davy Jones.”
Linus crossed his legs. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Captain, but I fail to see what help we can bring to you with this. It all sounds like a rather routine, though horribly unfortunate event. We are sailors, not inspectors.”
“Absolutely, sir. But there’s more to the tale,” said the Captain. “Four nights later a scream bellowed near the bow. My Second Mate, who was near the stern, keeping an eye on matters, raced towards the noise, fearful that one of the men had taken a spill overboard.”
“What did he find?” asked Linus.
“Simon Bettany, one of Hands, was lying on his side, stiff as a board. My Second instructed one of the sailors to go and fetch me while he kept watch over the body. I arrived minutes later from my cabin, and had the entire area lanterned up so we could properly examine the body.”
“Bettany was in the same condition as Rogers. No visible signs of injury,” replied the Captain. “But the look on his face…” He paused for a moment as if ashamed to continue. “It was as if the man had been scared to death.”
Edmund and Linus said nothing as they listened intently.
“We were still some distance away from port. The day after Bettany died a slack wind fell upon the ship just as we entered the Southern Tropics. It was then that things went from bad to worse.”
“What do you mean?” asked Linus.
“A rumor broke out amongst the crew that Bettany and Rogers had been befallen by a ghost.”
Linus placed his tea cup down. “A ghost?”
The Captain shook his head. “I don’t know how it started, but between the queer way in which they died as well as the idle time the crew found themselves with due to the slack wind, the rumor festered. With each passing night the Hands began to share stories about seeing shadows in the darkened corners and hearing noises that they were certain wasn’t creaking boat timber. I tried my best to keep the hands busy with cleaning and scrubbing. I even cut off the grog to one cup per day. But the heat and the poor winds began to win over the crews’ nerves. Each evening brought more stories and more tension, so much so that I feared there might be a mutiny on my hands. Fortunately, we passed out of the doldrums. An ease passed over the crew. I thought we’d been through the worst of it.
“But another murder occurred,” continued Edmund.
“Yes. The night after we came out of the doldrums. Peter Mulberry, one of the deckhands was found dead in his bunk.”
“The same causes?”
Saverfeld nodded. “The cabins were scorching so only a few hands ventured down below to sleep. Mulberry was alone in his cabin when he died. But there was one disturbing difference about his death. The door was closed and bolted from the inside.”
“That seems odd that he would have locked the door,” commented Linus. “Considering that he shared the room with other sailors.”
“Nerves were still on edge. There were those who believed a killer was on board. Mulberry likely locked the door as a precaution to make sure he wasn’t snuck up on while he napped.”
Edmund shook his head. “A testament to your leadership, Captain, that you were able to keep the crew together for the remainder of the voyage.”
“It wasn’t easy, Mr. Jessop. After Mulberry died I had to keep a good amount of the crew under lock and key. It was only due to the few Hands who had maintained a clear head and the fortunate weather that I was able to sail the Paul Henry safely into port.”
Edmund put out his cigarette. “A most unsettling story. You mentioned after you docked that you had gone to the authorities to discuss the matter?”
The Captain shook his cap in frustration. “Yes. I spoke to the Captain of the local police force. After much persuasion on my part, he took a couple of his men, did a cursory review of my ship, and deemed nothing wrong.”
“Nothing wrong!” echoed Linus incredulously.
“All of the bodies had been delivered to the ocean. And the scenes of the deaths, with the exception of Mulberry’s, had been wiped clean by the wind and the sea. And even though I allowed no one entry to Mulberry’s room, the police were able to find nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Not even the slightest clue?” asked Linus.
Saverfeld shook his head.
Edmund rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “A set of most peculiar events, Captain. I am sorry the police did get you the satisfaction that you sought.”
“I feel part of the reason was that the deaths did not occur on native soil. They aren’t like us, gentlemen. They’re land lovers. I’m afraid they might have overlooked something important. That is why I came to seek your help, Mr. Jessop.
“You wish us to visit the Paul Henry and have a look around, first hand?” asked Linus.
“In a manner of speaking.”
“You wish us to voyage with you,” corrected Edmund.
“Why, yes,” stammered Saverfeld. “In one week’s time the Paul Henry is scheduled to take a shipment of tea to London en-route from the Orient.”
“Quite a pricey payload,” remarked Edmund. “A shipload of tea and a jittery crew make for a volatile combination.”
“Exactly. And that is what has me so worried.” Saverfeld wiped his brow. “I am prepared to be quite generous in my offer of convincing you to join me on the journey.”
“A trip to London is quite an undertaking, Captain,” said Linus.
“Yes. But something nefarious is transpiring on my ship, gentlemen. Something evil and something I can’t explain. I been on the sea all of my life and seen all manner of dastardly business. But nothing I have experienced has equaled the horror and dread that I felt during this past voyage. All I am certain of is that I need someone with your skills to help me deal with it if this happens again.”
“When do you depart?” asked Edmund.
“This Sunday morning. At dawn.”
“If you would please let my partner and I discuss your proposal. We will send a letter regarding our decision by midweek.”
“But you haven’t heard my offer.”
“And a most generous one it certainly will be,” said Edmund. “One last question, Captain. Does anyone know of your trip to see us?”
“No one, sir.”
“Very good. I would appreciate it if you kept it that way.”
Captain Saverfeld nodded as he rose from his chair. “I will leave you then to your deliberations, then.” With that the burly man put his wrinkled cap back on, shook hands with Edmund and Linus, and bid them good-day.
* * * *
The wooden planks protested loudly as Edmund and Linus walked out onto the pier. The smells were heavy there. Salt and brine mostly, but other scents, such as flats of salted meats and barrels of apples filled the air as they were loaded on the Paul Henry.
Edmund approached a man at the base of the gangplank. He was short and stocky, with a balding head and reddish nose. The First Mate. He glanced up at Edmund and Linus before burying his face back in the clipboard. “Name?” he grumbled.
Edmund scratched his newly grown stubble of a beard. “Edmund Sullivan,” he answered, choosing to go with his mother’s maiden name.
The First looked at Linus with the same scowl. “Linus Grovestead.”
“Steward and Deckhand is what I’ve got you both down for. I’m Keller. You two aware of the problems this boat had on its trip into port?”
“I’ve heard some rumors,” replied Linus.
“That sort of thing gonna bother you?” asked the Mate. “They’re saying the boat is haunted.”
“Only thing gonna bother us is not getting paid,” said Linus.
“Be warned that aboard the Paul Henry any bad-behavior by the crew is rewarded by fifteen lashes and a trip to the brig.”
“If I didn’t know any better,” said Edmund. “I would think you didn’t want us to come aboard.”
Keller thumbed over his shoulder. “Your bunks are down below.”
* * * *
The Second Mate, Henry Tilleray was in complete contrast to Keller. The man practically walked with a spring in his step as he briefly toured them through the ships’ quarters.
“Happy to be back on the water?” asked Edmund.
“I’ve never been much of a land lover,” replied Tilleray. “Stable ground is only meant for people to be buried in. And for me, not even that,” he sighed. “Been on the sea my entire life.”
“More than just the trade routes?” inquired Edmund.
He nodded. “Assisted in some exploring jaunts with a few fortune seekers,” answered the Second. “Traveled all over. Like Sinbad traveling the Seven Seas.”
Linus noticed the sparcity of the crew’s quarters. “Got a skeleton crew for this trip?”
“That’d be putting it mildly. “The bare minimum. Any of the Hands get injured during this trip and we might be in a pickle.”
“I heard about the troubles with the last voyage,” said Edmund.
“Either of you blokes superstitious?”
Neither answered.
“That’s good,” commented Tilleray. “Lots of jittery Mates on board. Last thing the Captain needs is two more.”
“A lot of the crew fled once you made port?”
“A good number. Except for a few hardy souls, and a few, like yourselves, who don’t seem to mind the notion of a ship being haunted. At least for now.” He stopped at one of the cabins. It was a tight affair, with room for four bunks and eight men. “Here you are. All to yourself. I suppose this is one good thing of traveling with a light crew.” He turned to Edmund. “Stow your belongings and report to the Galley.” And then to Linus, he said. “Report to the deck in five minutes.” He left.
They began settling in. “Just like old times, eh?” commented Linus as he took a deep breath in, lost in thought for a moment. “Did you brush up on your culinary talents and review your cookbooks?”
“Somewhat. Though as we both know, I won’t be preparing quite the same cuisine as they served on the Sea Mist.” They shared a chuckle before he added. “But remember to be alert, my friend. Something is terribly amiss on this ship. And we best be careful not to let it get us before we uncover it.”
* * * *
No sooner had Linus left then a boy appeared in the doorway. He had sandy blonde hair and a face full of sun freckles. “You the new Steward?” he asked with pronunciation that made Edmund cringe. “I’m Yancy. Assistant Steward. Captain asked me to come and show you the galley and where we store the goods.”
“Very well,” answered Edmund. “You’ve been serving under Captain Saverfeld for a long time?”
“Almost two years. Cap’n treats me and the other Mates well, so I’ve decided to hang around a bit more.”
“And this business that has been going on hasn’t made you want to reconsider?”
“The boy crossed his arms defiantly. “It’ll take more than a few spookes to scare me off. Unlike the previous Steward who went running for the hills as soon as we docked.”
The boy reminded him of himself at that age. “What do you think the crew would like to eat on their first night out?”
Yancy stared at him, thrown off by the question. If Edmund was going to acquire some allies on the ship, who better to start with than someone who could go anywhere on the boat without drawing any attention?
“I think the Hands would enjoy some salted pork. To help calm their nerves about them spooks.”
They began walking towards the galley. “I almost forgot,” said Yancy as he dug into his pocket and removed an envelope. “Captain told me to give this to you. Didn’t tell me what it was for.”
There was a slight weight to the envelope. “Thank you, Yancy. I will meet you in the Galley in a short while.”
The boy went heading off and Edmund unsealed the envelope. Inside was a brass key and a slip of paper with a number scribbled on it.
Mulberry’s room.
* * * *
The Hand’s room was identical to his own. Mulberry’s bunk still had his possessions tucked away in it.
Edmund sifted through the man’s belongings but found little of interest, remembering that if there had been something deemed important, or more specifically, valuable, the police would have taken it.
There was a single open porthole in the room, which was allowing for a fair amount of daylight to filter in. Mulberry’s bunk was closest to it, which meant that even in this meager little room, Mulberrry had seniority.
He walked over to the porthole, which was six inches across, and looked out. The Hands were just about to cast off.
Edmund swung the porthole latch closed but it didn’t stay shut. The clasp which kept it shut was broken. A slight tug on the latch made the porthole reopen.
The bunk was hard and uncomfortable. He looked up at the window. Edmund listened as the waves lapped against the hull. They sounded different than just a moment ago and Edmund knew it meant only one thing.
They were underway.
* * * *
Later that evening Linus found Edmund near the bow of the ship, smoking.
“Dinner was impeccable,” he said, grinning.
“You’re a poor liar, my friend. There is only so much you can do with a meal where the main ingredient is salt.
Linus began to chuckle. “Ah, the old days. Makes you wish for them again.”
“I miss them as much as I do scurvy. When we left the Sea Mist I swore I would never let the food on these boats touch my lips.” Edmund sighed as he looked out over the calm waters. A favorable starboard wind had been with them since they had left port and already New York had disappeared over the horizon. “How are the Hands faring?”
“Not bad. But there is an underlying uneasiness.”
“Have any rumors spread? Any of the crew imagining seeing things?”
Linus chuckled. “Always the cynic, eh, Edmund?”
“Pragmatist, my friend. Simply a pragmatist. Show me a man who can spin these tales without a belly full of grog and that man will command my utmost attention.”
“Good evening, gentlemen,” boomed a familiar voice. Captain Saverfeld appeared from the starboard, his massive frame filling up the staircase as he descended down the stairs to the Bow Deck. “Excellent meal,” he commended, lighting up his pipe. At the very least, money well spent there.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
Saverfeld looked out over the water. “Favorable conditions tonight. Excellent way to begin our voyage.” He exhaled a plume of smoke. “I realize we are just underway, but you have any thoughts as to what might be going on?”
Edmund puffed on his cigarette. “It’s still too early to share with you any firm thoughts. However, I would suggest you take every precaution necessary to ensure your safety. Supernatural or not, there is a threat onboard this ship.”
Saverfeld was taken aback. “But the only people left on the Paul Henry are my most trusted Hands…”
A bell began to ring from the stern of the ship. “Oh, no. This can not be.”
“Captain, what is wrong?” asked Linus.
“That bell. The crew has instructions to ring it there has been a sighting.”
The men sprinted to the rear of the vessel, until they came across a small group of Hands.
“Stand aside, lads. Stand aside,” barked Saverfeld as he plowed through the sailors.
The men all sported a worried expression. One of them, Stevenson, spoke up. “I saw it, Captain.”
“Saw what, man?”
“I was coming round the port side when I saw this large shadow scurry across right in front of me. I tried chasing it but it disappeared around the square rig and then vanished from sight.”
“You sure your eyes aren’t playing tricks on ya, Stevenson? Moon’s particularly full tonight. Could have been the topsail casting shadows over the deck.”
“No, Captain. I know when I’m seeing shadows and when I…”
Saverfeld had heard enough. “And when you haven’t seen anything at all, which is what happened here.” He glared at the rest of the hands. “Now, either you all get down below and get some shut-eye or we can all get an early start on scrubbing the decks!”
Edmund and Linus walked over to where Stevenson had seen the shadow. It was the port side. Besides a few open portholes there were no places for someone to hide.
Keller walked up to them. “You two gone deaf? Back below!”
Edmund turned to the First. “Where do those portholes lead to?”
Keller seemed shocked to have been spoken back to. “Why do you want to know?”
“If you would just humor me, Mr. Keller.”
“Officer’s quarters, such as my own, if you are so interested.”
Edmund smiled and began walking towards the crew’s entrance. “Sullivan!” barked Keller. “All of these questions.” He pointed a fat finger at Edmund. “I’ll be watching you.”
* * * *
Three days passed without incident. It was evening and Edmund was cleaning up around his small kitchen when he heard a gasp quickly followed by a shriek come from the galley. Edmund grabbed the cast iron pan he had been cleaning and came rushing into the room.
Yancy was lying on the floor. His eyes were wide open and he was gasping for breath as if some unseen presence was suffocating the boy.
Edmund rushed over and knelt down next to him. Yancy looked at him, grasping his shirt, trying to speak what was wrong, but no words came out.
He opened the boy’s mouth, trying to see if he was choking when he noticed the color of his tongue. It was black.
Yancy gasped again, shuttered a few times, and fell limp in Edmund’s arms.
* * * *
With Yancy’s death, the crew was quickly worked up into a nervous fervor. At first light Saverfeld gathered all Hands on deck for a talking to.
He placed his hands behind his back and paused for a moment before speaking. “I realize the death of our young Steward has caught everyone by surprise. Let me assure you that his death will be fully investigated…”
“You gonna try and arrest the devil, Cap’n?” yelled one of the hands from the crowd.
“They’ll be no back-talking to the Captain!” shouted Keller. “Not until anyone feels like spending a few days in the brig.”
This settled the mates down somewhat, except for one who shouted. “Investigated by who, Captain? By the time we reach port all the clues will be goners.”
“This time things are different, lads. This time I’ve got an investigator on board.” He turned to Edmund. Linus, meanwhile had moved to the rear of the crowd, away from his partner.
“Cap’n gone mad,” someone yelled. “That’s the cook.”
“I’ve hired Edmund Jessop back in New York to help me figure out what is going on board of our ship.”
“Only thing going on, Cap, is that the whole bloody vessel is haunted…” The Hand was cut off by Tilleray who spotted the instigator and clubbed the man from behind, sending him to the ground.
Saverfeld continued. “Mr. Jessop believes he has almost solved what has been transpiring aboard our ship. He has told me that he needs just a little more time, at which point he will inform me of his learnings.”
Edmund took a step closer to the Captain and spoke. “I realize all of you are uneasy at the present time. Let me assure all of you that the truth behind these murders will be brought to light in short order.”
“Gonna put the ghosty in shackles, are you?” joked one of the Hands, which started a short burst of laughter from the rest of the crowd.
“All in good time, my man. All in good time.”
Saying that, the First stepped up next to Edmund and began barking orders. At once the crowd dispersed.
* * * *
Later that night, Edmund, Linus, and Saverfeld were in the Captain’s quarters, sitting around the Chart Table. Maps, compasses, sextants, and other nautical apparatus covered the surface as well as three glasses of brandy.
Concern blanketed Saverfeld’s face. “I don’t like this, Mr. Jessop. I don’t like it one bit.”
“Not to worry, Captain. You played your part masterfully.”
Saverfeld gripped his drink and swallowed what remained in the glass. “The only thing I did was shine a light on you, sir. Now, every move you make you will be watched.”
“I sincerely hope so, Captain! It would have been most unfortunate if you had given your speech and our ghost was not in attendance.” Edmund noticed Saverfeld’s pistol holstered to his belt. “Continue to have your weapon nearby, Captain. Oiled and loaded please. With any luck we will have an end to this sordid business before the sun rises.”
* * * *
Linus and Edmund sat in opposite bunks. The porthole was open and slight breeze trickled into the room. Linus wiped his brow. “The one thing I definitely do not miss, Edmund, is the stifling heat of these ships.”
“Perhaps tomorrow we will able to sleep beneath the stars.”
“Had you told me a month ago that we would be setting sail for London in an attempt to solve some murders, I would have thought you a bit daft.”
“As would have I,” replied Edmund as he listened to the sounds outside. Water sloshed against the hull. They were making good time. Voices from some of the Hands on deck could be heard as well. Saverfeld had placed additional men on guard.
Edmund glanced at his pocket watch. “It’s late.” He removed “I don’t think I will be sleeping for a while if you want to rest, Linus.”
Linus gestured to the cabin door that had a wooden barrel in front of it. “No need to be concerned for our safety. If anyone is going to gain entry it’s only going to be with a battering ram!”
“Ghosts don’t need to worry about such trivial obstacles,” Edmund said coyly.
Linus eyed his friend up for a moment. “You’ve figured it all out, haven’t you? Well spill it, my man. Spill it.”
“No need to put the cart in front of the horse. Not when I have a few questions that I still can’t place. Perhaps if our ghost comes to visit they will provide some answers.”
Linus placed his pistol beside him. “You’d best ask your questions quickly. Hot lead is going to be my answer if anyone tries breaking in!”
Edmund removed a stiletto from its sheath and didn’t reply.
Linus dimmed the lantern so it emitted only the faintest of flickers. Outside, the crashing of waves continued to be heard until it lulled him off to sleep.
* * * *
Linus awoke to Edmund’s cry of alarm. “Ah-hah! Back swine! Back!” Linus grabbed his revolver and bolted up from the cot. By the time he had managed to collect his bearings and turn up the lantern, Edmund was standing by the porthole, breathing hard, the dagger in his hand. Blood dripped from the blade.
“The door, Linus! There’s not a moment to loose!”
“Our ghost bleeds?” cried Linus as he slid the barrel away. Edmund flung the door open to reveal a small stampede of men, Saverfeld included, rushing towards their room.
“Mr. Jessop!” cried Saverfeld as his eyes fell upon the bloodied dagger. “Are you all right? Are you injured?”
“Captain. You have your weapon?”
Saverfeld raised up a pistol.
“Excellent. Follow me. To the deck.”
“What is wrong?”
“No time to explain, Captain!” Edmund yelled, rushing off. “Time is of the essence.”
The score of men quickly rushed outside until they reached the side of the ship that had the porthole that lead into Edmund’s room. “A lantern!” One of the Hands passed it to him. He crouched down at the surrounding deck face to the floor until he cried out. “Spots!” he said, pointing. “Our ghost’s bloody trail. Follow it and we find our culprit.”
This lead to gasps from several of the men. Saverfeld held up his pistol. “Weapons ready, men.” This seemed to force a backbone into the crew as Edmund, lantern in hand, began to follow the trail of blood like a hound in pursuit of the fox.
They raced across the ship until the blood led then back below deck.
One of the Hands gasped. “We’re heading straight into the Officer’s Quarters.” Through a corridor they raced until they came to a small pool of blood collected in front of one of the rooms.
“This can’t be,” gasped Saverfeld. “This is my Second’s room.”
“Mr. Tilleray,” barked Edmund. “The rouse is over. I’d advise you to come out now if you want your Captain to show mercy.”
There was no response from inside the cabin.
Saverfeld nodded to the burliest man in the crew. “Take it down,” he ordered. The Mate shouldered up and brought the door down with two hard strikes. No sooner had he breached the room then he was met with a muzzle flash.
Tilleray’s shot was quickly met by Saverfeld’s gun. As the smoke cleared Tilleray was lying face down on the floor.
Edmund walked into the room, dagger drawn. Saverfeld charged into the room but was held back by Edmund. “Careful, Captain. The blood trail was not left by Mr. Tilleray.”
His gun spent, Saverfeld unsheathed his cutlass.
“There! In the corner!” exclaimed Linus, pointing. “Someone shine a lantern!”
One of the crew did so and the shadowed figure became illuminated.
“It’s some sort of monkey.”
The group cautiously approached. The animal was no larger than a foot in size. It was huddled in the corner, and just like Tilleray, unmoving.
“The creature returned back to its master, where it finally succumbed to its wounds.”
Saverfeld sheathed his sword. “Now hold on a moment, Mr. Jessop. Are you telling me this little bugger is responsible for murdering my crew?”
“Captain, I would suggest that we have the rest of this conversation in private.”
The Boatswain cleared out the room.
“No one within thirty feet of this door!” instructed Saverfeld.
“The motive was clear,” began Edmund. “To obtain your cargo and resell it to the highest bidder.”
“How long did you know it was Tilleray?”
“Actually, I didn’t. At first I thought your First Mate, Mr. Keller, might have been behind the plot.”
“And you never thought it was some sort of ghost?”
“I believed that someone was trying their best to make it seem like a ghost. The one piece of the puzzle that was baffling me was Mulberry’s death and how it had been accomplished. They lead me to reason that something more nefarious was occurring than I had originally suspected.”
“How were they killed?” asked the Captain. “The bodies were thoroughly examined and no wounds were found.”
Linus spoke up. “That was solved when the boy, Yancy was killed. For the first time I was able to examine the bodies and noticed the strange color of his tongue. It meant only one thing. He was poisoned.”
“Poisoned? How?”
During the conversation Edmund had been slowly walking around the room, searching. “By poisoned dart.” He picked up a small bamboo pipe, no larger than a flute. “Dispensed by this. Tilleray would have had access to the weapon as well as the poison during his travels to Central Africa. I’m sure if we do a thorough search of the room we will come across the poison.”
The Captain considered this. “What you say makes sense. But again I ask, how did poor Mulberry die? Tilleray did not have entry to his room.”
“This is the part that I struggled with the most. The most insidious acts of a crime are always the most difficult to comprehend.” Edmund gestured over to the primate. “This is where the poor creature in the corner comes into play.” He walked over to the monkey and carefully turned it over using the flat edge of his dagger. There, still clutched in its hand, was a small spike. “This is how Mulberry died. Tilleray had trained the animal to sneak into the man’s room through the porthole and give him a small poke with the poisoned spike. Death was quick but not painless. Linus and I would have suffered the same fate had we not been able to fend off the creature before it attacked.”
“But what about the sightings that took place on the ship? Were they simply from this monkey running amuck?”
“Yes. Sometimes even the smallest of creatures can seem like the largest of monsters when the mind starts playing tricks on you.” Edmund lowered his voice. “There is something else to consider. That some of the stories and rumors being told were nothing more than lies.”
“Saverfeld turned red in the face. “Mr. Jessop, are you suggesting…”
“I am simply stating that if Tilleray had planned to commit mutiny there would have been no way he would have been able to go about it alone.”
The Captain clasped his hands together. “A mutiny on my ship. And I have no idea who these men might be.”
Linus walked up to him. “Would you care for some advice, Captain?”
“Tell away, sir.”
“While it is true you do not know who precisely these men are, there is no reason to let the crew know this fact.”
“What do you mean?”
Edmund spoke up. “What my partner is proposing is a bluff. That you found a list in Tilleray’s cabin listing his co-conspirators.”
“I have?”
“You have. And tomorrow morning you will gather the men and announce that you have found this list in Tilleray’s cabin,” said Edmund. “But you are a forgiving man. And in your effort to forget past sins, you will not bring retribution to those involved.”
Displeasure covered Saverfeld’s face.
“Take your lumps, Captain. It’s either that or you start tossing crew members in the brig with hopes that you are imprisoning the correct people. I believe that Tilleray was the head of the snake. Now that the head has been severed, this potential mutiny will wither away.” Edmund lit a fresh cigarette. “When you arrive in port you release your entire crew and hire anew for your journey back to the States. Of course, present company excluded. The heat and humidity of the New York summers are suddenly very appealing to me.”