Gangways were laid down, and all those blue uniforms came aboard. We were instructed to proceed to the first class lounge where there was a lot of complaining about being kept waiting and officious customs officials wanting to poke their noses into baggage. When our turn came, Mummy and I were given the most perfunctory of checks before we were allowed ashore. I kept expecting to be taken aside for questioning but nobody said anything or stopped me as I left the Berengaria. I wondered if I should say something about my suspicions and maybe have them give the princess an extra grilling, but I realized that was up to the captain and Darcy. They must know what they were doing.

I looked back at the ship, hoping for a final glimpse of Darcy but he was nowhere to be seen, probably at a good vantage point, watching the passengers disembark. I wished I knew what his plans were now. It would have been reassuring to know he’d also be in New York. I wondered if there were things he hadn’t told me about this assignment. I never knew with him.

On the dock we were swept into the hustle and bustle and soon were riding in a taxicab to the Plaza Hotel, where Stella and Cy and Juan would also be staying. Queenie, Mummy’s maid, Claudette, and the luggage followed in a second cab. The drive was quite alarming along those narrow streets between towering buildings. I had never imagined that buildings could be so tall. It was hot and sultry and unsavory smells wafted in through the taxicab windows. Every street corner seemed to have shabby-looking men standing on it. We were aware that there was a great depression in London, but here it felt much worse. Then we moved to a cleaner, smarter part of the city, pulled up in front of the Plaza Hotel and suddenly it was as if a fairy had waved a magic wand and transported us to another world.

“Ah yes,” Mummy said as doormen rushed to open our taxicab doors and help us out. “This is more like it. For one awful moment I thought we’d have to skip New York and head straight for the train station. But I think this will do nicely for a few days.”