Page 22 (1/2)

“A name or a word that sounded like ‘acrobat’ How do you say it in German?”

“The same, except spelled with a ‘k,’ said Archie “But what did Beiderbecke mean by ‘acrobat’?”

“A htfully, “who can fly”

“Like the one who jumped overboard”

“And someho back”

Archie said, “But acrobats can’t really fly”

“Maybe not But the best of theht hard “Mauretania’s carrying three thousand people, passengers and crew Whoever killed Beiderbecke is hiding a them”

“That’s like hiding in a city”

“We need a witness Let’s ask this steward if he got a look at who knocked him down”

The steward, as sitting up blearily, shook his head “Sorry, guv Jumped me from behind, he did, when I walked in the pantry”

Bell helped hili he was or what he earing?”

“Not a peep, guv” He looked at his tunic sleeve, then down at the trousers “Bliet out of these before the boss sees me”

Bell noticed brown grease stains on his trousers froes on his sleeve looked like soot He ran his finger on one

“Coal dust,” he told Archie “Let’s go visit the black gang”