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Authors: Freeman Wills Crofts
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Bristow intended the cruise for the man in the street: the man who could pay a moderate fare for perhaps a week, or two. I have changed that. The appeal will now be to the wealthy and they will pay through the nose for their cabins. The
Hellenic
was built to carry four thousand passengers, but I am restricting her to eighteen hundred, all first class, so that there may be ample room for everyone to be comfortable. Every cabin will now have a bathroom, and at least half will have private sitting rooms also. That is my first alteration. I may say also that I do not expect her ever to be quite full up.
“The second alteration is that instead of running for the six summer months, she will cruise during the entire year. This will practically double our profits. In winter she will give up calls to outlying islands or exposed portions of the coast and confine herself to the Irish Sea, the Channel and other sheltered areas. She may, moreover, anchor in these areas for long spells, still further lowering her running costs.”
Morrison was now listening with stupefaction. Had it not been for Stott’s quiet, businesslike manner, he would have supposed the man had gone off his head. His statement sounded completely mad. Would anyone who could afford to go round the world be bothered to steam round the British coast, even if he had a private bath and sitting room? The small people who might have done it would now be debarred by the cost. And would anyone who could stay at home cruise in the Irish Sea in winter? Maddest of all, would anyone who could get ashore remain on a ship
anchored
off the coast, in cold weather certainly, and perhaps in wind or rain or fog as well? It was inexplicable.
A glance at his companions showed that their thoughts were travelling in the same direction as his own, all except Whitaker’s, who simply looked amused. But Bristow and Gillow were obviously as puzzled as he was, and Gladstone’s lips had gone into a thin line which suggested that if he disapproved the explanation, he would make the fact clear beyond possibility of error. It was Gladstone who spoke first.
“I don’t think, sir,” he said politely but with firmness, “that you can stop there. I think you must tell us the reason of these changes.”
Stott nodded. “I am about to do so. It’s for that purpose that we are met. I propose, or rather I am arranging, that the
Hellenic
will be a floating casino: a gambling ship.”
All four of his hearers stared at him, but before any of them could speak, Stott continued.
“I have already entered into a provisional agreement with the Casino authorities at Monte Plage. The ship will be altered to provide the required gaming rooms, and the Casino will supply the necessary manager and croupiers, as well as giving general help. The gambling will be carried out with scrupulous care – in fact, as impeccably as at Monte Plage itself. It’s a sport that English people have long wanted to have at home, and now they’re going to get it.”
For some moments there was silence and then the reactions of the little audience became vocal. In spite of his own participation, Morrison was interested in their variety.
Bristow’s face was glowing. “Magnificent!” he cried enthusiastically. “A stroke of genius! That’s the finishing touch that was needed to turn the thing into an absolute gold mine! Congratulations, Mr Stott!”
Stott seemed pleased. “Then you’re with me, Bristow?” he enquired, rather unnecessarily, Morrison thought.
“With you? Can you ask it?” His face changed suddenly. “But what about the law, sir? I’m afraid they’d stop us.”
“Meaker has got round that for us,” Stott answered. “We’ll come to it in turn.”
“Then I’m with you up to the hilt.”
“Good,” Stott returned. “And you, Gillow?”
“To the hilt also, sir,” the advertising manager protested, though with less enthusiasm.
“Good,” Stott repeated. “And what about you. Captain?
Hellenic
was built to carry four thousand passengers, but I am restricting her to eighteen hundred, all first class, so that there may be ample room for everyone to be comfortable. Every cabin will now have a bathroom, and at least half will have private sitting rooms also. That is my first alteration. I may say also that I do not expect her ever to be quite full up.
“The second alteration is that instead of running for the six summer months, she will cruise during the entire year. This will practically double our profits. In winter she will give up calls to outlying islands or exposed portions of the coast and confine herself to the Irish Sea, the Channel and other sheltered areas. She may, moreover, anchor in these areas for long spells, still further lowering her running costs.”
Morrison was now listening with stupefaction. Had it not been for Stott’s quiet, businesslike manner, he would have supposed the man had gone off his head. His statement sounded completely mad. Would anyone who could afford to go round the world be bothered to steam round the British coast, even if he had a private bath and sitting room? The small people who might have done it would now be debarred by the cost. And would anyone who could stay at home cruise in the Irish Sea in winter? Maddest of all, would anyone who could get ashore remain on a ship
anchored
off the coast, in cold weather certainly, and perhaps in wind or rain or fog as well? It was inexplicable.
A glance at his companions showed that their thoughts were travelling in the same direction as his own, all except Whitaker’s, who simply looked amused. But Bristow and Gillow were obviously as puzzled as he was, and Gladstone’s lips had gone into a thin line which suggested that if he disapproved the explanation, he would make the fact clear beyond possibility of error. It was Gladstone who spoke first.
“I don’t think, sir,” he said politely but with firmness, “that you can stop there. I think you must tell us the reason of these changes.”
Stott nodded. “I am about to do so. It’s for that purpose that we are met. I propose, or rather I am arranging, that the
Hellenic
will be a floating casino: a gambling ship.”
All four of his hearers stared at him, but before any of them could speak, Stott continued.
“I have already entered into a provisional agreement with the Casino authorities at Monte Plage. The ship will be altered to provide the required gaming rooms, and the Casino will supply the necessary manager and croupiers, as well as giving general help. The gambling will be carried out with scrupulous care – in fact, as impeccably as at Monte Plage itself. It’s a sport that English people have long wanted to have at home, and now they’re going to get it.”
For some moments there was silence and then the reactions of the little audience became vocal. In spite of his own participation, Morrison was interested in their variety.
Bristow’s face was glowing. “Magnificent!” he cried enthusiastically. “A stroke of genius! That’s the finishing touch that was needed to turn the thing into an absolute gold mine! Congratulations, Mr Stott!”
Stott seemed pleased. “Then you’re with me, Bristow?” he enquired, rather unnecessarily, Morrison thought.
“With you? Can you ask it?” His face changed suddenly. “But what about the law, sir? I’m afraid they’d stop us.”
“Meaker has got round that for us,” Stott answered. “We’ll come to it in turn.”
“Then I’m with you up to the hilt.”
“Good,” Stott returned. “And you, Gillow?”
“To the hilt also, sir,” the advertising manager protested, though with less enthusiasm.
“Good,” Stott repeated. “And what about you. Captain?
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