A/N: I think I might settle into a weekly update schedule, either on Friday or on the weekend at the latest. You might be able to convince me to make it twice weekly! (aka R&R, please? I love feedback as much as anyone ;-))

IV. The Argument

As soon as the door of our cabin had closed behind us, Holmes became himself again. The transition was so complete and quick that it left me baffled.

Holmes did not seem to notice my astonishment. Instead, he settled down on his bed, a frown creasing his forehead, biting on the stem of his pipe. He was not allowed to smoke on the ship, of course, with the exception of a room of which Mr Carter had told us, designated especially for that purpose.

"What do you think of them now, Watson?" he asked in a low voice.

I sat down beside him on the bed, as there was no other space – the sole armchair in the cabin was currently occupied by both our valises. "Well, I can hardly imagine any one of them to be a criminal of such proportions. Ms Farington, for one, surely must be innocent. She will leave the Friesland in Calabar. And I think you have done Mr Carter a grave injustice. He is an amiable and very honest fellow, and for you to treat him thus..."

"Is that your opinion? Well, well, Watson, we shall see."
"I wish you would inform me of the steps you intend to take. I find it difficult enough to maintain an alias in front of all those people – although that does not seem to be an effort for you. I dare not think what might happen if I am surprised."

"Yes, you are quite correct. Believe me, Watson, I will tell you ere I attempt anything dramatic. As of now – have you spoken to the other travellers, aside from Mr Carter, Ms Farington and Mr and Mrs Russell?"

"Not spoken to, no, but I have learned their names."

"Excellent! Do continue."

"The two men travelling with Mr Carter are brothers by the name of Paul and John Mason. The fellow we met upon boarding travels alone, his name is Peterson. You have heard of Ms Farington's companion – Mrs Audrey Charles. There is also another couple, apparently Dutch and living on Curaçao, by the name of Fones."

Holmes drew a paper from his coat pocket and unfolded it thoughtfully. After some moments of studying it, he handed it to me. "Remarkable."

"What is it?"
"This is the list of passengers Mycroft supplied me with. I would have expected to find some differences as to the names or travelling companions of our fellow passengers, but it does not seem to be the case. Everyone is accounted for, and the names they have given are the same as those under which the tickets were procured."

"They could easily have used an alias, as we have."

"Ah, but Watson, we have had the assistance of brother Mycroft. If you were to walk into the harbour magistrate's office to buy a ticket, they would no doubt ask for some form of identification paper. No, we have their correct names. Now all we have to determine is who of them has given false reasons for their participation in this journey."

"Have you formed any theories?"

"It is too early for that. You must make it your goal to-morrow, Watson, to speak to the remaining travellers. If the couple are indeed Dutch, I will see to that personally, but I would much prefer if you kept on the task you have performed so faithfully to-day."

"But I have been able to discover very little!"

"Nevertheless. Make sure to leave me a note of your observations. It would perhaps be best to use some form of code – are you familiar with the Caesar cipher? Excellent! It is the most simplest of ciphers, but it should pose a bit of a difficulty for anyone who might enter our cabin. I would suggest a shift of five. If you can, make it look like nothing more than random letters, as if someone were testing a new pen."

"What will you do to-morrow?"

"I plan on putting my mind to work as well as my legs. I have to-day covered one part of the ship and hope to be progressing to the other. Also, I will talk to the crew. Perhaps it is possible to obtain access to a map of the vessel. As for now, good-night, Watson. We have a long day ahead of us."

I retired to the upper bed, allowing myself to relax with the gentle swaying of the ship. Had our objective not been so grim, I might well have enjoyed the cruise. However, the certainty that any one of the people I had spent the evening with could be a very calculating and dangerous criminal who did not hesitate to plunge two countries into war and the fact that we had to be on our guard every waking minute marred the experience. However, there was nothing sinister in the splashing of the waves against the Friesland, and soon, I was lulled to sleep.

It have been foolish to expect something dramatic and remarkable in our first night on the Friesland, but I have to confess that I was surprised when I awoke in the morning well-rested and without having been disturbed even once. Holmes, of course, was already awake, and brooding over the map of our vessel's route.

"Good morning, Watson," said he, without looking up. He had returned our valises to their compartments, making room for himself on the armchair. Now, he stretched his legs which he had folded up underneath himself. "Shall we find some breakfast for you?"

"Gladly," replied I.

We arrived at the dining room to find it almost deserted. The only other passengers present were the supposedly Dutch couple.

Holmes indicated me to settled down at a table and walked over. Mr Fones looked up in annoyance when Holmes stepped up to their table, but his faced smoothed over as soon as Holmes started talking to him in rapid Dutch.

Soon, Holmes was offered a chair, all the while talking to them in what seemed to be a very amiable conversation. I, for one, could understand very little of what was said, hindered by both distance and language, but it was clear to me that Holmes would not return to our table. I was relieved, therefore, when the Russells entered and joined me without much hesitation.

Henry's had his arm around his wife's waist again, today, however, she seemed to be in the need of his support. Her face was pale and drawn, and she had clearly tried to obscure the dark circles under her eyes, but failed. As a physician, I instantly recognised the signs of too little sleep, but as my alias had nothing whatsoever to do with the medical profession, I merely asked: "Are you unwell, Mrs Russell?"

"A little seasick, I fear," her husband replied, easing her down in a chair lovingly.

"I see. I do hope it abates before we reach the open sea."

"So do we. Tea, my dear?"

"Please." Her cheerful voice had sunken to a weak whisper. "You must forgive me, Mr Wilson. I have not slept well."

"I am truly sorry to hear it."

"We had hoped that the swaying would be less pronounced in a first class cabin in the interior of the ship, but it does not seem to be the case. If the sickness does not lessen, we will shorten our cruise and leave the ship in Calabar."

I was deeply touched by the concern Mr Russell showed for his wife. It might have been foolish to allow my personal sentiments to cloud my judgement, but I found it very difficult to accept that those two might be criminals.

After some time, Holmes left with the Dutch couple, still immersed in conversation.

I remained with the Russells until they had finished their breakfast – to my surprise, none of the other passengers came to into the dining room at that time. I found it most curious that Ms Farington should not want to join us, and Mr Russell agreed that someone should go down and enquire whether everything was all right. He kindly described to me the way to her cabin and then ascended to the deck with his wife to catch some fresh air.

When I rounded the corner to Ms Farington's first class cabin, I heard raised voices and slowed my steps. One of the voices was clearly Ms Farington's, having risen in pitch with anger. The other, much to my surprise, belonged to Mr Carter.

I could not make out what was said through the closed doors if I did not wish to be caught in spying. Instead, I decided to knock.

In an instant, the voices died down, and the door opened. Mr Carter stepped outside and walked past me without so much as a glance. His well-kept appearance had been ruffled by the argument, and there was no trace of his smile to been seen. Instead, his small eyes appeared to me to gleam sinisterly.

"I apologize, Mr Wilson", said Ms Farington, "Please, do come in."

I entered her cabin. It was much larger than Holmes' and mine. The sleeping area was obscured from view by a beautifully decorated screen, while the remaining space was equipped by three armchairs grouped around a round table. Mrs Charles seemed to be rummaging around on the separated area.

Ms Farington indicated me to take a seat. "What is it that I can do for you?" While she had seemed clearly disturbed by the argument before, she now was her old charming self.

"I did not wish to intrude."

"No, no, it was nothing. Mr Carter merely took offence in my conduct yesterday. He thinks it inappropriate for a young lady, who is engaged, to allow another man to compliment her thus. I assured him that I had no wish of abandoning my fiancé, but he suggests I bring Audrey along this evening. I think he might be a bit old fashioned." Her eyes twinkled, and I laughed.

"Well, I shall certainly warn Mr Sipkens! But I assure you, there is nothing malicious in his conduct. He will do nothing to harm your honour and relationship to your fiancé."

"I am sure of that, Mr Wilson, but thank you. Now, what brings you here?"

"Mr Russell and I were merely concerned you did not come to breakfast. I trust you are well."

"Yes, perfectly! I do enjoy the swaying of the ship."

"Well, then you are lucky, Ms Farington. I fear Mrs Russell is seasick."

"Oh, that's horrible!" Ms Farington rose. "You must forgive me, I will go to her immediately. The poor dear!"

"She went on deck with her husband – I gather that they are still there."

"Thank you, thank you, Mr Wilson, for your concern."

I departed from her cabin with my mind set at ease. When I had stumbled upon the argument, I had feared that I might have inadvertently discovered the criminals, but hearing the truth of the matter had calmed me somewhat.

Determined to find Holmes, I made my way into the general room, where I assumed him to be still engaged in conversation with the Dutch couple. However, the only person occupying that room was Mr Carter, taking large gulps from a glass of brandy.

He looked up as I entered and glared at me, his high forehead creasing in an unpleasant frown. Had I not seen him in the evening, smiling brightly and laughing with us, I would have had a very different impression of his personality based on the sour face with which he came to greet me. "You best tell you companion Mr Sipkens to keep away from Ms Farington. She is a naïve young lady and to endeavour to seduce her in such manner is no conduct fitting to a gentleman." His voice was gruff, his eyes hard and piercing.

"I will tell him," said I and allowed him to pass me, before I turned and ascended onto the ship's deck.