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Dozens of guests had arrived early in the First Class saloon lounge, thethe tentatively relieved expressions of people whose seasickness was fading into memory As Clyde Lynds put it when Bell and Archie approached hi let out of jail”

Archie took Lynds’s elbow “You must tell me about your jail experiences”

Bell steered Beiderbecke into the sroom’s jumps I hope you’ll join me in a drink?”

“I am not quite over my seasickness”

“A ‘stabilizer’ for the gentleman,” Bell told the barman “A dash and a splash for me, please” “The stabilizer is half brandy, half port,” he explained to Beiderbecke

Beiderbecke shuddered

“Trust me, it works”

“It is gracious of you to invite us to your wedding” The Viennese professor flourished his invitation, a thick sheet of parchment paper that had been embossed in Mauretania’s print shop, and marveled, “With this document in hand, barriers between Second and First Class tu Clyde slept with his under his pillow, lest villains steal it”

Bell raised his whiskey and soda to the Viennese “Continued s”

“And to your bride’s happiness”

Beiderbecke sipped doubtfully and looked surprised “The effect is immediate”

“I told you you can trust me,” said Bell “Now, can you tell me what exactly does an electro-acoustic scientist do?”

Franz Beiderbecke looked guilelessly at the tall detective “I experi electricity instead of mechanical means”

“Can that be done?”

“That isand regenerating weak electrical signals Though the actual doing of it is not so simple But wait—” He blinked, perplexedly “Wait! How do you know that? I did not discuss my field with you”