A Gem of a Problem by Irene Sauman

Author:Irene Sauman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: amateur sleuth, australian mystery authors, cozy mystery, historical mystery
Publisher: Jakada Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

There were a handful of men working on the Mary B. The boat was upright now, supported on block work. The timbers on the near side had been cut away around the shattered portion and trimmed, creating a neat hole that was already being filled with new timbers. Inside the hull someone was hammering, and under the sound, a bass voice was singing in breathy snatches in a language Emma didn’t recognise. A large part of the upper deck had been stripped out. That section would not be rebuilt until the steamer was floated, but Emma was surprised at the extent of what would have to be done.

“Mrs. Berry.” Knowles dropped down from the steamer. “This is an unexpected pleasure.” His voice was oily. She hoped he wouldn’t say anything which might require an explanation to Joe. She felt as reluctant to tell him about transferring a share of the steamer to Knowles as she was Daniel.

“My brother Joseph Haythorne, Mr. Knowles,” she introduced them.

Knowles put his hand out to Joe. “George Knowles,” he said as they shook.

“Mr. Knowles, why have you stripped the upper deck?” Emma asked. “That wasn’t necessary surely?”

Knowles looked to Joe with a quick lift of the eyebrows as if to say ‘women!’ Emma couldn’t see Joe’s response, but she immediately felt annoyed at the attempted collusion.

“The upper deck was badly water damaged, ma’am and I have plans for enlarging the accommodation. I did hope to surprise you with it.”

“You have certainly surprised me, Mr. Knowles. I didn’t realise you would be taking liberties with the repairs without speaking to us about it.”

“This is a good opportunity to increase her earning capacity. See here,” he turned to Joe, “by putting a flying extension over the rear cargo deck we get extra floor space up above for two more passenger cabins as well as providing weather cover to the lower deck.”

“Seems like an excellent idea. Can you do it within the insurance payment?”

“Oh, no trouble with that. No, no. I’ve got us some salvaged timbers at little cost. And I do the job right, Haythorne. No half measures.”

“I’m pleased to hear it,” Joe said, his tone giving no indication as to his thoughts on the matter.

Emma walked around the far side of the steamer. Knowles followed close behind, pointing out the work he was doing to Joe. She had to admit what he proposed would be an improvement, even if he were doing it to increase his own take from the boat’s operation.

She had seen boats being repaired on the riverbank where they had been hauled up. Only work that was strictly necessary was done under those conditions. It might after all have been to the good the Mary B had been floated back to Echuca and left waiting for repairs. Perhaps giving Knowles a share in the steamer would turn out to be of benefit to them all. Wait until Daniel saw the result. He couldn’t complain then.

Knowles shook Joe’s hand and gave Emma a salute before going back to his work.

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