After Zeitel's pipe was secured safety in my handbag, I left the
café. At the bottom of the stairs I noticed a woman in blue with a
feathery hat and pearl earrings. She waved, and I recognized her, from a
party I think. She had been called the "Queen of Gossip". I smiled, and
approached her, knowing that I could get some good information out of her.
"Hello... my name is Carlson. Do I... know you?" I asked softly, a smile perched on my lips. She looked surprised, and studied me for a minute, and giggled.
"But my dear! It's Daisy, Daisy Cashmore. Surely you remember! Aren't you a naughty thing! Don't think I didn't know you'd snuck on at Cherbourg. Schmedles told me all about it. The old boy's always dripping with news. I heard about Lord, and Lady Lambeth. Ruined utterly! Scarcely enough left for appearances I'm told! I always liked Georgia. Married Charles for his name and his fortune sensible girl. But she's made her nest... now she must live in it. Well..." She paused, giving me time to think over everything she had just said. There was nothing much of use, except for the fact that I should talk with my steward later.
"Please, tell me more." I said politely.
"What do we think? Gorgeous isn't it? Everyone's raving! Gushing! The Titanic! Couldn't be more fabulous! And the sailing couldn't have been more convenient. Everyone's here: the Astors, the George Wideners, the Countess or Rothes-such a wonderful girl. The Strauss's- I saw them on D-Deck tonight, the Ryerson's, the Henry Harpers... I could just go on and on!" I smiled, but managed not to laugh. Daisy was just like a high school girl, trying to fit in with the popular kids.
"And the ship's so very advanced! I was just saying to my dear friends the Carter's; they're bringing back a motorcar! Do you believe! In the Cargo Hold!" I raised my eyebrows. That wasn't useful information, but it was certainly interesting! "Bill Carter checks it daily. Really, every day! He keeps the keys with the purser." I nodded again. That would be something to remember... the purser had keys to the Cargo Hold if I needed to get in there for any reason. She went on. "And of course they let them. The Carter's are fantastically rich. Lucille doesn't understand the attraction at all. With men and machines, I tell her, we girls play second fiddle. Well..."
"Please, continue." I smiled, and she beamed and waggled her finger at me.
"My dear, I've a little favor. A tiny, tiny, tiny one." I gazed at her, thinking that a favor for her wouldn't be too hard.
"With pleasure."
"Tonight at dinner, a man I don't know was making eyes at me. Be an absolute darling and find out who he is."
"How should I do that?"
"Look him up in the passengers list. All I know are his initials. G.Q.C. The list's some place, find it. I'll wait right here." She paused, and I nodded in agreement." Ta!
I turned, and headed towards my deck to find the steward. I hoped to get some information out of him, on where to go next. On the way, I ran into an elderly couple.
"I say! Watch your step!" The gentleman said.
"Are you hurt Henry?" The woman answered to him.
"No harm done, no harm." Henry answer. He was a short man, and the woman towered above her.
"I'm so sorry." She said to me.
"Trod on my toe!" Henry said. I looked between them both. I thought that he said no harm had been done. Oh well.
"We're the Gorse-Joneses from Haltwhistle you know. How are you finding the crossing?"
"Very nice, thank you." I answered. "By the way, my name is Carlson." I shook Henry's hand.
"Your English then? I would have thought American. Oh my my, I didn't mean to insult you."
"It's all right. I'm not insulted." I answered cautiously.
"Can't hold a thought." Henry directed at the woman.
"Dreadfully large place America." The woman began.
"Brain like a sieve. As if she's got-" Henry said, carrying on his own conversation about the woman.
"All that space! And all those immigrants trying to fill it up! I was just commenting to Henry, on a White Star crossing, one meets all the right people. Why, we were just chatting with a delightful elderly couple in the reception. The Strauss's, isn't that right Henry?"
"Own a dry good's store in New York somewhere. Called Macy's." Henry said.
"On D-Deck." She answered. By now, I was very confused. This conversation was broken up into bits, and it didn't even seem as if they were talking to me anymore.
"Ribeena! Must you always finish my sentences? Your as jumpy as the American chap, that photographer."
"Yes, he was just snapping away!" Ribeena said, as if the idea was offensive.
"Taking pictures of some German Colonel, and that English man." Henry said. Now this was something. I continued to listen.
"Snap, snap, snap!" Ribeena said. For an elderly woman, she certainly had a lot of energy for gossip.
"War's coming all right, mark my words!" Henry said, to my disappointment, changing the subject. But since the pattern of their conversation jumped around, and went in circles, I had hoped to hear more about Zeitel perhaps.
"War! How beastly! Will Mr. Burns have to fight? He and his wife are such sweet things! But I do see her point it is their honeymoon. Why he insists on snapping those photo's I haven't a clue."
"For goodness sake woman! Talk, talk, talk! Like a madam in a Rangoon boarding house!"
"Henry! That's unspeakable!" She seemed to be mortified, and I had to chuckle slightly. Of course they didn't notice though.
"Don't speak then! Yaps louder than a scrub of rabid Corgies." He turned to me. "Now see here, this Burns chap."
"If you want to see something interesting, take a look at his pictures. He's on C-Deck. Cabin C-78." Ribeena said, and the two walked off. I chuckled, and headed down the C-cabins hallway. I could talk to Schmedles later, for now I had to see about those pictures!
I examined the door until I found the one that read C-78. I knocked and a young man with a soft accent and mustache opened the door.
"Can I help you?" He asked slowly, as if trying to recognize me.
"Are you Eric Burns?" I asked politely. He smiled, and extended his hand.
"You found him." I shook his hand.
"Hello, I'm Carlson. May I see your work?"
"Well, unfortunately I don't have time to show you." He shrugged, looking as disappointed as I felt.
"You must be very busy."
"My wife's angry with me because I've spent more time with my camera than with her. She just doesn't understand that a photographer can't stop taking pictures, even on his honeymoon. Have you seen Stephanie? She's wearing a blue hat."
"No... I'm sorry I haven't. If I do, I'll be sure to let you know."
"Okay, thanks. But I better wait for her. Goodnight." He closed the door, and I headed back to the Grand Staircase. So much for that idea. Might as well talk to Schmedles now.
When I stepped through the doors, right away I noticed a very pretty woman, who was wearing a blue hat. I couldn't help but smile to myself. Maybe I would get a chance to see the pictures. I hurried back to Eric's room, and knocked on the door.
"Hello. Good to see you again. Have you seen Stephanie? She's, uh, wearing a blue hat."
"Yes actually, that's why I came back. She's in the Grand Staircase." He sighed.
"She must really be sore with me." He looked sad, so I searched for some advice.
"Maybe you should tell her how much you care. Spend a some time together, talking."
"You've got pretty good advice. I'm going to find her right now. Excuse me... goodnight." He headed down the hall. I was about to follow, when I noticed that his door was open.
I walked in, and looked around. Right away, I could see his table set up with all of his photos. With disappointment, I looked at the already developed photos, not finding any of Zeitel. Then I noticed a few cartridges.
I followed the instructions carefully, and developed the photos. I had to admit to myself, that I was proud of the job I did. Then I took a look at the work I had done.
The first photo was of Zeitel, and a man that I didn't recognize. The second was the man that had been standing with Zeitel, holding a shipping box. The third photo was of Willie, and a pretty blonde woman. I took the three photos and hurried out before Eric could return.
I returned to the Grand Staircase, and noticed a man standing at the bottom. So I approached him.
"Oh! Hello! Don't think we've met." He shook my hand. "I'm Lay-land Say- cum Trask. Metaphysical scribe and evandualist for the super natural. I've been in London attending a conference on premonitions among the sensitive."
"Where are you from?" I asked curiously.
"You've heard of my institute? The Astral Burea of Circulation? In Boston? The ABC's a place where mediums of impeccable character can co- mingle in harmony." I smiled, suddenly forming an idea... a use for the pipe.
"Can you do a reading of this pipe?" I handed him Zeitel's pipe.
"Hmm. Well a medium told me the only danger in my life would come on water. Salt or Fresh he didn't say... damn it all I wish they'd be more specific." He looked back at the pipe. "That pipe's been somewhere quite humid lately. I'd visit the Turkish Bath. Good Luck."
I thanked him, and asked, "Are you predictions reliable?" I needed to know if I should waste my time going to the Turkish Bath, or get to work translating the telegram. Of course, listening to him could turn out to be more interesting, but I didn't want to mess this up.
"There's a range, of course. But given the right training physics can reveal information hidden to others." I nodded. I was slightly confused by that answer, and the expression on his face told me that he was a little suspicious. I decided to change the topic to something... more normal.
"What are your predictions for this ship?" I asked, curious to see what his answer would be.
"This is a ship of destiny. Which I think you know." He gave me the weirdest look, and I decided that it was time to leave. It wasn't a good idea to be hanging around with a physic that might discover my working undercover.
Goodbye... maybe I'll stop back after I check out the Turkish Bath." I turned but he grabbed onto my arm.
"Wait." He stared at me, and I pulled back. "Your not who you appear to be. You are a..." His eyes widened. "You're a spy!" My heart sank, and he must have seen the look in my eyes. "Don't worry. I won't tell." He smiled, and patted my back." Good luck... I'll be here if you find anything else."
I nodded, unsure of what to say. If Penny found out that I had been revealed, I didn't know what she would do. Frankly, I didn't want to know. I said goodbye, and thanked Mr. Trask and then made my way to the Turkish Bath.
"Hello... my name is Carlson. Do I... know you?" I asked softly, a smile perched on my lips. She looked surprised, and studied me for a minute, and giggled.
"But my dear! It's Daisy, Daisy Cashmore. Surely you remember! Aren't you a naughty thing! Don't think I didn't know you'd snuck on at Cherbourg. Schmedles told me all about it. The old boy's always dripping with news. I heard about Lord, and Lady Lambeth. Ruined utterly! Scarcely enough left for appearances I'm told! I always liked Georgia. Married Charles for his name and his fortune sensible girl. But she's made her nest... now she must live in it. Well..." She paused, giving me time to think over everything she had just said. There was nothing much of use, except for the fact that I should talk with my steward later.
"Please, tell me more." I said politely.
"What do we think? Gorgeous isn't it? Everyone's raving! Gushing! The Titanic! Couldn't be more fabulous! And the sailing couldn't have been more convenient. Everyone's here: the Astors, the George Wideners, the Countess or Rothes-such a wonderful girl. The Strauss's- I saw them on D-Deck tonight, the Ryerson's, the Henry Harpers... I could just go on and on!" I smiled, but managed not to laugh. Daisy was just like a high school girl, trying to fit in with the popular kids.
"And the ship's so very advanced! I was just saying to my dear friends the Carter's; they're bringing back a motorcar! Do you believe! In the Cargo Hold!" I raised my eyebrows. That wasn't useful information, but it was certainly interesting! "Bill Carter checks it daily. Really, every day! He keeps the keys with the purser." I nodded again. That would be something to remember... the purser had keys to the Cargo Hold if I needed to get in there for any reason. She went on. "And of course they let them. The Carter's are fantastically rich. Lucille doesn't understand the attraction at all. With men and machines, I tell her, we girls play second fiddle. Well..."
"Please, continue." I smiled, and she beamed and waggled her finger at me.
"My dear, I've a little favor. A tiny, tiny, tiny one." I gazed at her, thinking that a favor for her wouldn't be too hard.
"With pleasure."
"Tonight at dinner, a man I don't know was making eyes at me. Be an absolute darling and find out who he is."
"How should I do that?"
"Look him up in the passengers list. All I know are his initials. G.Q.C. The list's some place, find it. I'll wait right here." She paused, and I nodded in agreement." Ta!
I turned, and headed towards my deck to find the steward. I hoped to get some information out of him, on where to go next. On the way, I ran into an elderly couple.
"I say! Watch your step!" The gentleman said.
"Are you hurt Henry?" The woman answered to him.
"No harm done, no harm." Henry answer. He was a short man, and the woman towered above her.
"I'm so sorry." She said to me.
"Trod on my toe!" Henry said. I looked between them both. I thought that he said no harm had been done. Oh well.
"We're the Gorse-Joneses from Haltwhistle you know. How are you finding the crossing?"
"Very nice, thank you." I answered. "By the way, my name is Carlson." I shook Henry's hand.
"Your English then? I would have thought American. Oh my my, I didn't mean to insult you."
"It's all right. I'm not insulted." I answered cautiously.
"Can't hold a thought." Henry directed at the woman.
"Dreadfully large place America." The woman began.
"Brain like a sieve. As if she's got-" Henry said, carrying on his own conversation about the woman.
"All that space! And all those immigrants trying to fill it up! I was just commenting to Henry, on a White Star crossing, one meets all the right people. Why, we were just chatting with a delightful elderly couple in the reception. The Strauss's, isn't that right Henry?"
"Own a dry good's store in New York somewhere. Called Macy's." Henry said.
"On D-Deck." She answered. By now, I was very confused. This conversation was broken up into bits, and it didn't even seem as if they were talking to me anymore.
"Ribeena! Must you always finish my sentences? Your as jumpy as the American chap, that photographer."
"Yes, he was just snapping away!" Ribeena said, as if the idea was offensive.
"Taking pictures of some German Colonel, and that English man." Henry said. Now this was something. I continued to listen.
"Snap, snap, snap!" Ribeena said. For an elderly woman, she certainly had a lot of energy for gossip.
"War's coming all right, mark my words!" Henry said, to my disappointment, changing the subject. But since the pattern of their conversation jumped around, and went in circles, I had hoped to hear more about Zeitel perhaps.
"War! How beastly! Will Mr. Burns have to fight? He and his wife are such sweet things! But I do see her point it is their honeymoon. Why he insists on snapping those photo's I haven't a clue."
"For goodness sake woman! Talk, talk, talk! Like a madam in a Rangoon boarding house!"
"Henry! That's unspeakable!" She seemed to be mortified, and I had to chuckle slightly. Of course they didn't notice though.
"Don't speak then! Yaps louder than a scrub of rabid Corgies." He turned to me. "Now see here, this Burns chap."
"If you want to see something interesting, take a look at his pictures. He's on C-Deck. Cabin C-78." Ribeena said, and the two walked off. I chuckled, and headed down the C-cabins hallway. I could talk to Schmedles later, for now I had to see about those pictures!
I examined the door until I found the one that read C-78. I knocked and a young man with a soft accent and mustache opened the door.
"Can I help you?" He asked slowly, as if trying to recognize me.
"Are you Eric Burns?" I asked politely. He smiled, and extended his hand.
"You found him." I shook his hand.
"Hello, I'm Carlson. May I see your work?"
"Well, unfortunately I don't have time to show you." He shrugged, looking as disappointed as I felt.
"You must be very busy."
"My wife's angry with me because I've spent more time with my camera than with her. She just doesn't understand that a photographer can't stop taking pictures, even on his honeymoon. Have you seen Stephanie? She's wearing a blue hat."
"No... I'm sorry I haven't. If I do, I'll be sure to let you know."
"Okay, thanks. But I better wait for her. Goodnight." He closed the door, and I headed back to the Grand Staircase. So much for that idea. Might as well talk to Schmedles now.
When I stepped through the doors, right away I noticed a very pretty woman, who was wearing a blue hat. I couldn't help but smile to myself. Maybe I would get a chance to see the pictures. I hurried back to Eric's room, and knocked on the door.
"Hello. Good to see you again. Have you seen Stephanie? She's, uh, wearing a blue hat."
"Yes actually, that's why I came back. She's in the Grand Staircase." He sighed.
"She must really be sore with me." He looked sad, so I searched for some advice.
"Maybe you should tell her how much you care. Spend a some time together, talking."
"You've got pretty good advice. I'm going to find her right now. Excuse me... goodnight." He headed down the hall. I was about to follow, when I noticed that his door was open.
I walked in, and looked around. Right away, I could see his table set up with all of his photos. With disappointment, I looked at the already developed photos, not finding any of Zeitel. Then I noticed a few cartridges.
I followed the instructions carefully, and developed the photos. I had to admit to myself, that I was proud of the job I did. Then I took a look at the work I had done.
The first photo was of Zeitel, and a man that I didn't recognize. The second was the man that had been standing with Zeitel, holding a shipping box. The third photo was of Willie, and a pretty blonde woman. I took the three photos and hurried out before Eric could return.
I returned to the Grand Staircase, and noticed a man standing at the bottom. So I approached him.
"Oh! Hello! Don't think we've met." He shook my hand. "I'm Lay-land Say- cum Trask. Metaphysical scribe and evandualist for the super natural. I've been in London attending a conference on premonitions among the sensitive."
"Where are you from?" I asked curiously.
"You've heard of my institute? The Astral Burea of Circulation? In Boston? The ABC's a place where mediums of impeccable character can co- mingle in harmony." I smiled, suddenly forming an idea... a use for the pipe.
"Can you do a reading of this pipe?" I handed him Zeitel's pipe.
"Hmm. Well a medium told me the only danger in my life would come on water. Salt or Fresh he didn't say... damn it all I wish they'd be more specific." He looked back at the pipe. "That pipe's been somewhere quite humid lately. I'd visit the Turkish Bath. Good Luck."
I thanked him, and asked, "Are you predictions reliable?" I needed to know if I should waste my time going to the Turkish Bath, or get to work translating the telegram. Of course, listening to him could turn out to be more interesting, but I didn't want to mess this up.
"There's a range, of course. But given the right training physics can reveal information hidden to others." I nodded. I was slightly confused by that answer, and the expression on his face told me that he was a little suspicious. I decided to change the topic to something... more normal.
"What are your predictions for this ship?" I asked, curious to see what his answer would be.
"This is a ship of destiny. Which I think you know." He gave me the weirdest look, and I decided that it was time to leave. It wasn't a good idea to be hanging around with a physic that might discover my working undercover.
Goodbye... maybe I'll stop back after I check out the Turkish Bath." I turned but he grabbed onto my arm.
"Wait." He stared at me, and I pulled back. "Your not who you appear to be. You are a..." His eyes widened. "You're a spy!" My heart sank, and he must have seen the look in my eyes. "Don't worry. I won't tell." He smiled, and patted my back." Good luck... I'll be here if you find anything else."
I nodded, unsure of what to say. If Penny found out that I had been revealed, I didn't know what she would do. Frankly, I didn't want to know. I said goodbye, and thanked Mr. Trask and then made my way to the Turkish Bath.