The Pleasure Cruise Mystery by Robin Forsythe

Author:Robin Forsythe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dean Street Press
Published: 2016-03-28T04:00:00+00:00

II

When Vereker entered his cabin he found Ricardo lounging in a comfortable chair smoking a cigarette.

“You’re late, Algernon. I believe you’ve made a conquest. I saw you in earnest conversation today with that silver-haired grandame who affects a monocle and wears buttoned boots. I believe you’ve been helping her to take off her bottines, you cunning old bambocheur!”

“You mean Lady Hildenborough? Charming woman of the old school, Ricky. Victorian and as fragrant as lavender!”

“She reminds me of a hansom cab. I can’t explain why, Algernon.”

“I saw you at the show with Miss Penteado. Did you gather any information?”

“I’ve learned a good deal of the history of the Diss sisters.”

“And who are they?”

“Beryl and Constance, or, if you prefer it, Mrs. Mesado and Mrs. Colvin.”

“That’s useful. How many sisters were there?”

“Three. Beryl, whose body lies in the ship’s hospital; Constance, alive on board; and Amy, who died when she was a girl of seventeen. They come from Fakenham, in Norfolk. Their father was rather well off once upon a time, but got through most of his money. Constance married Colvin, who once had a bailiff’s job on a large Norfolk estate, but lost it down his throat. Beryl went on the stage, into the ballet, and was on the way to becoming a premiere danseuse when she made the acquaintance of Mesado, the meat millionaire. Strange how these monsters of modern industrialism succumb to the delicate enchantment of a fine body inspired with rhythm! He married her. Colvin, as I’ve told you before, got a parasitic job from his brother-in-law and has lived the life of a country gentleman ever since.”

“And did you get any other information about Amy?”

“None whatever, except that there was some mystery about her death.”

“That’s not very helpful. Are the Penteados old friends of the Mesados?”

“I can’t quite get at the truth from Rosaura on this point. She equivocates, and I think there’s a minor mystery hidden there. Père Penteado and Mesado were warm friends through chilled meat. The former died about a year ago and left his millions to his wife for life, and in reversion to his daughter. Rosaura got on very well with Beryl up to a point. Says Beryl was a jealous, temperamental woman with the very devil of a temper and most difficult to live with. Guillermo she thinks a most charming man, but very fond of the fair sex.”

“Was that the cause of the recent trouble with his wife?”

“Presumably. There was a woman in the case, but Rosaura doesn’t know who. Beryl believed in Romantic Love and, like many people, thought marriage put a full stop to amatory diversion.”

“I’m old-fashioned enough to think it ought to,” remarked Vereker gravely.

“I’m old enough to know that it frequently doesn’t, Algernon. I wouldn’t be surprised if in the near future jealousy is considered a crime punishable with seven years’ ‘hard’. You must admit it’s an unsocial trait in human nature.”

“Had they separated?”

“Guillermo has presumably gone back to the Argentine. Beryl, before leaving England, put up the house and furniture in Sussex, which is her property, for sale.

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