Murder Ahoy Page #3

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...officer of the watch.

- No need to bash the door down.

- Sorry, sir.

I can't stand being disturbed

when I'm curling my beard.

What do you want?

- Well, sir, shore leave...

- Keep your voice down.

Oh, yes. Shore leave party

just returned minus one.

- Minus one? What? Who's adrift?

- Dusty Miller, sir.

Dusty!

- No, not him.

- I'm afraid so, sir.

You mean to tell me, you let that

young villain loose with her about?

- I didn't see any reason...

- You blithering twit!

Bli! You should have clapped him

in irons the moment she came aboard.

- Permission to round him up, sir.

- Granted.

Thank you.

- Compton!

- Yes, sir?

You can tell Miller from me

that for once in his miserable life,

he'd better put his heart and soul

into morning prayers.

Aye, aye, sir.

Patrol, quick march!

Patrol, halt!

Prisoner's escort, fall in.

Patrol, right turn. Quick march!

I've been observing you.

I'm wondering why

a gentlemen like you,

who can live in a hotel like that,

wants to sleep in my bed?

I do assure you,

I'd no intention of...

Good night!

Prisoner and escort, halt!

Petty officer, carry on.

Quick march!

Prisoner and escort, halt!

Left turn!

Petty officer, fall out!

Operation Snatch, go!

Mr. Stringer!

Miss Marple, I... I stole their boat!

Calm, steady yourself.

Now go on.

I did as you said,

I followed the shore patrol.

Those boys, Miss Marple,

robbed the place like professionals.

Did they indeed?

I strongly suspect that one

of the officers is an arch criminal,

a man who corrupts the mind of youth

and profits by the corruption.

Return ashore, Mr. Stringer,

and keep on your guard.

I will, Miss Marple.

Oh, it's you.

What are you doing?

Don't be a fool!

Oh, pump up, lad, pump up!

That's better!

You don't think

I'm enjoying this do you?

- Captain, sir...

- What?

Captain,

I'm glad you're an early riser too.

A word with you please.

Not at the moment, if you don't

mind. I'm somewhat dishabille.

Captain, this is important.

Now, if you don't mind?

As you like, madam.

I mentioned to you that poor

Mr. Ffolly Hardwicke was troubled.

Yes, you did indeed.

I believe, I mean, I'm sure

I've stumbled upon the cause.

- This lad, Miller...

- Madam, madam, please.

If you're suggesting

that by some manner or means

there has been any

gross dereliction of duty,

I'll see to it that the culprit will

hang from the highest yardarm.

- Just like that...

- Eh?

Yes, just like that.

Hello...

Compton!

I'm not having it!

Not in my ship! I'm not having it!

- Nothing but questions, questions.

- I haven't asked any yet, sir.

It's about time you started.

The place is swarming with police.

It's unsettling the lads,

the staff and it's unsettling me!

Yes, sir, I can see that.

Death - instantaneous.

Time - around about midnight.

Asphyxiation by hanging?

No, he was run through first,

then hung up.

- Run through?

- With a sword.

It seems rather like gilding

the lily. Extraordinary business.

I'd like to discuss it,

but I've got a baby due.

I'll give you a full report later.

Good morning.

He's a bit on the brisk side,

isn't he?

Yes... run through, eh?

Have you hurt yourself?

- Any more of these weapons aboard?

- Yes, there are.

- I've got one myself.

- Oh?

Everybody has!

It's part of dress uniform,

except for the ladies.

- Anyone could have used this.

- That is hardly gallant, Inspector!

I'm sorry, madam.

Who was the last person

to see Compton alive?

The last person to see him alive...

Establish that and you've got whoever

it was who did him in!

Let's begin with you, sir. Well?

- Well what?

- When did you last see the deceased?

It's none of your business, but it

was six bells in the first watch.

- Which means?

- 11 o'clock last night.

Thank you, sir.

Any advance on 11?

You heard what he said,

any advance on 11?

I see.

Can you think why someone

would want to kill this officer?

No. He was a most popular fellow,

wasn't he?

He was the most popular fellow

on board.

Clearly not with everyone.

Perhaps you can help me, sir.

- Did Compton have any enemies?

- I don't think so.

Had there been any quarrels

or bad feeling?

Well, I...

I couldn't really say.

Can anyone say?

- What about you, sir?

- I had little to do with him.

I don't know.

And you, Mr. Humbert?

Yes, well... all right,

it's true that Compton and I

hadn't been getting on well lately.

- Really, sir.

- It...

I'm sorry, Shirley,

but it will come out sooner or later.

Compton was always making up

to Shirley... that is, Miss Boston.

Eric!

You see... Shirley and I...

are more or less... engaged.

What!

Do you know what you're saying?

- Oh, Humbert, this is serious!

- Yes, I quite agree, sir.

Yes...

In my ship there is no, repeat no,

hanky-panky between the sexes.

It is a golden rule of the Trust

and we are bound to uphold it.

By thunder, Humbert,

you've got some explaining to do!

Engaged... to a woman!

- Explain, sir, explain!

- Will you kindly let him, sir.

- Sir?

- Excuse me.

- What do you want?

- Something important has...

- Have you hurt yourself, sir?

- Get on with it.

Well...

I just heard

from the lads down the town...

What?

All right.

You sent a patrol ashore

last night, sir?

Well, what on earth's

the matter with that?

The lads are at the police station

reporting a theft.

They couldn't return to the ship

as their dinghy was stolen.

A man's been murdered, man,

and you're fussing about dinghies?

Sir?

I take the point to be

that whoever stole the dinghy

could also have rode out here and...

Yes, that's very good.

Well done, Connors.

- Why didn't you think of that?

- I did.

Your dinghy's been recovered adrift,

clearly tied up by an amateur.

We are testing it for fingerprints.

Just a minute.

Don't you think I'm due for some sort

of "I'm sorry, Captain"?

- I'm sorry, Captain.

- Thank you.

Bacon, get the launch alongside to...

Bacon!

Sir?

Are you all right, sir?

I thought I saw...

No, it couldn't be.

Oh, botheration!

Secretary to the Trustees...

Cape of Good Hope,

Youth Reclamation Trust, Milchester

Bacon!

I'm sorry, sir. I lost my hat.

- What timing!

- Onto something?

Whoever stole that dinghy

last night is our killer.

Mr. Stringer!

Oh, dear.

Poor Mr. Stringer.

Mr. Stringer?

Mr. Stringer?

Yes, Miss Marple.

No, I'm here.

- I'm sorry, Jim. I had to warn you.

- Warn me?

- You're a wanted man.

- Wanted?

- That dinghy you purloined.

- Only borrowed.

Well, the police think that whoever

borrowed that boat is a murderer.

Me? A murderer?

Look, I've brought you a little

brandy. I thought you might need it.

Road block, map reference S14X02...

Beat 5 extend 200 yards to Blue Box

It's orders!

I realize he's probably dangerous.

I'm taking all precautions.

Yes, sir, every man

and dog in the force.

If you want to, take it up

with Inspector Craddock.

What the...?

Sorry, sir.

- Sir?

- Yes?

- A tramp to see you urgently.

- I don't want to see a tramp.

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