Carlson made his way toward the Smoking Room, in hopes of finding Charles there. Perhaps he, thought Carlson, could shed some light on the situation with Georgia. And, because he would most likely be drunk, Carlson felt that it wouldn't be too hard. Eventually he arrived at the Smoking Room. Charles was in his usual place, drinking whiskey.

"Hello" said Charles as Carlson met with him.

"How are you doing Charles?" Carlson asked, hoping to soften him up with small talk.

"You may have heard I am in financial straits" Charles answered. "I borrowed money from Andrew Conkling, money that he is now demanding I pay back. I've none to give. Poverty should remain the domain of the virtuous. I've no taste for it."

Carlson decided to get to the point. "Why was Georgia afraid of you tonight?" he asked.

"Georgia? Afraid of me?" Charles scoffed. "Well, that would be a reaction at least. We no longer evoke emotion in each other. We're husband and wife in name only"

"Are you trying to tell me you need money?" asked Carlson.

Charles laughed. "Tell you? No, I shall fix things first. And without Georgia."

"Without Georgia?" Carlson asked. He wondered just what that meant. He would soon find out.

"You... you want to know some secrets?" Charles inquired. Before Carlson could answer he continued: "I'll tell you one. Georgia's diamond necklace is a fake. The one on her neck leastways."

"A fake!?" thought Carlson to himself. He was inwardly shocked. But then, he remembered Trask's words from earlier that night.

"These, my friend, will surprise you, mark my words" Trask had said. Carlson now knew what he meant.

Charles continued: "I gave the real necklace to Sasha. It's in his cabin for safekeeping. When he gets to New York he'll sell it, quickly and quietly for 20 percent commission. I'll pay of my debts to Conkling, put Georgia away, and sail back to England free and clear."

"Put Georgia away?" Carlson asked, trying his hardest to hide his inward shock.

"She's unstable, as you know." Charles replied. "So I'm putting her in a sanitarium. Easy thing to do given her emotional history. The law favors the husband in these matters. She can do nothing about it."

It was then that Carlson felt like punching Charles straight in the face. Moreover, the guilt he felt for leaving her now was many times stronger. It was all his fault. It was his fault that Georgia married Charles. What had he done?

Charles continued: "God forbid the suffragettes really do win women the vote. They'll never know their place again."

"Why doesn't Sasha sell the necklace for Georgia?" Carlson asked.

"Because I threatened to tell Scotland Yard about his Serbian aid society." Charles answered. "And because Sasha's a greedy bastard. He'd betray his love for 20 percent. And Georgia thinks she's outsmarted me!"

Carlson was heartbroken that this should happen to Georgia. If only he had known she was going through this the first time around.

Charles continued: "No, she's got a fake about her neck and doesn't know! Another drink?"

"Not for me, Charles" Carlson answered, hiding his bitter rage.

"Goodnight." Charles replied. "You'll sleep well. The whiskey and the sea are smooth for a change." And with that, Charles exited the smoking room.

Standing alone in the middle of the smoking room, Carlson felt that his sympathy for Georgia had come to a head. How could Charles do such a thing to such a pretty woman?

Carlson decided that he would try to recover the real necklace. All he knew from what Charles had told him was that the necklace was being kept in Sasha's room. As he headed for the A-Deck cabins, he tried thinking of a way to distract Sasha from his room.

He finally arrived at the A-Deck cabins. In the alcove where Sasha's cabin was located, Carlson saw a crewman fiddling with the fuse box. Noticing Carlson, the crew member walked up to him.

"Hello", the crewman croaked. "Just seein' to the electric." He gestured toward the fuse box. "The fuse box there. She's new and they had no time to check the wirin'. They've taken to complaining about the lights all night. Will get it straightened right out. That is if I can find me screwdriver. Wager I forgot it below. Ta now. Be right back." The crewman exited down the hallway.

A light bulb turned on in Carlson's head. That was how to get Sasha to come out of his room! Turn off his lights! Carlson walked up to the fuse box and opened it. Each cabin had a switch assigned to them. He found Sasha's cabin number, A-14, and flicked the switch. He heard a yell from Sasha's room. Afterward, he heard Sasha stumble out of his room.

"The lights have gone out in my cabin!" Sasha yelled. "I must get a steward!" He then ran down the hallway.

Carlson turned around and switched Sasha's cabin lights back on. He smiled at yet another victory. He entered Sasha's cabin.

It was the same cabin he had seen earlier. It was more cramped than his cabin. Paintings were placed here and there. Some, Carlson theorized, were worth thousands. But he wasn't here for the art, he was here for the necklace!

Carlson's eye immediately was drawn to a nesting doll on the dresser. It had a puzzle lock on it.

"The necklace must be in there!" thought Carlson.

The lock was in the form of a magic number puzzle. Number were contained in 4 circles. When turned a certain way, they would all add up to a number on the outside ring. He hurriedly solved the puzzle and took apart the doll. There, before his eyes, were the real diamonds!

He picked up the real diamonds and compared them. The real diamonds were definably heavier than the ones he was given by Georgia earlier in the night. Also, the real diamonds were shiny whilst the fake ones were dull. Carlson placed the fake diamonds into the nesting doll and put it back together so that Sasha wouldn't notice that the real ones were gone.

As Carlson tried to exit the cabin, he was greeted by Sasha.

"What are you doing in my cabin?" asked Sasha, surprised. "You must leave immediately!"

Carlson exited room as Sasha had commanded. Sasha soon came back out.

"You need to tend to your own affairs" Sasha scolded. "Fortunately you've left my valuables undisturbed." And with that he went back into his cabin.

Now that Carlson had the real diamonds, it was time to see Penny about the painting. After that, he would have to go meet with Willi.

COMING NEXT: Of Fire And Ice