“Golly,” I said before I remembered not to. “So did you find the princess’s jewel and that woman’s diamond when we were searched leaving the ship?”

Darcy shook his head. “We found nothing. I didn’t think we would.”

“And the princess really was genuine?”

“I’ve no doubt about it.”

“And you didn’t find any clue as to what was thrown overboard? Not a body?”

“We’ve still no idea about that either. Nobody seemed to be missing, unless it was a stowaway who met a bad end.”

“Or a stowaway who killed someone on the boat and took his place? Or her place?” I gave him a knowing look. “Remember I suggested that at the time.”

Darcy frowned. “If you’re meaning the princess again, she was who she claimed to be. I’m sure.”

“Did you speak to her? I was rather tempted to go and visit the Astors myself but they were in Newport, Rhode Island.”

Darcy gave me an exasperated look. “I contacted the Astors, who verified that she had arrived safely. I’m sure they’d know if she was an impostor. But if it was anyone else who was murdered and thrown overboard . . . I don’t know how they’d ever find out. In the absence of a body that is now fish bait.”

“Don’t.” I shivered. “I keep thinking of that long hair floating out on the surface of the ocean.”

He touched my shoulder gently, giving it a little squeeze. “Maybe you were mistaken. It was a long way down from where you were standing, wasn’t it?”

I nodded and was silent for a moment before I asked, “So what makes you think your thief has come out here?”

Darcy looked around at the gardens, now bathed in shadow. Then he lowered his voice. “The answer is that I don’t know. But I’ve a couple of things to go on. We found a fingerprint on the doorjamb of Princess Promila’s suite. It was smudged but it looks as if it could belong to Stella Brightwell.”

“You still think she could be the thief? That doesn’t make sense.”

“I agree, but your grandfather would tell you there is no such thing as coincidence. And one of the few details we have to go on is that Stella Brightwell was present on every occasion that the thief struck. She is the only person who fits that bill.”

“If it was her fingerprint on Princess Promila’s doorjamb, that doesn’t really prove anything, does it?” I said. “They were fellow first class passengers. Tablemates. What was to stop Stella from popping in to see the princess for a chat or a drink?”

“Nothing, except the princess claims that Stella never visited her suite. Nobody did. She’s a very private person.”

“Interesting. And what is the other clue that brought you here?”