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Instead, two tenders were used to shuttle passengers to the ship. Nomadic , the larger of the two vessels, carried first- and second-class passengers. Third-class passengers were transported on the Traffic .
    ‘An interesting lady, your friend Miss Storm-Fleming,’ Holmes said, as we stood at the rail. ‘I hope that she does not turn out to be an agent of a foreign power.’
    In my mind, I knew that Holmes was right to raise the question. But in my heart, I resented his suggestion that Miss Storm-Fleming might be guilty of such a crime. ‘I will have to admit, that reference to submarine plans was a bit suspicious. But it could simply have been a casual comment. We were discussing your adventures.’
    ‘Remember,’ Miss Norton said, ‘that it was Miss Storm-Fleming who brought up the subject of your articles to begin with.’
    ‘She was simply asking me about my work. That is a perfectly reasonable topic for conversation, especially since she is obviously familiar with my writings on Holmes’s adventures.’
    ‘Her voice is clearly American,’ Holmes said. ‘I pride myself in identifying speech mannerisms. While she has an urbane quality — no doubt from her extensive travels — I found no strain of German or any other foreign tongue. She could, of course, be in the pay of some foreign power...’
    ‘All I’m suggesting, Holmes, is that we be cautious, but give the lady a chance. After all, there is no evidence as yet.’
    ‘And then there’s the matter of her watch,’ Holmes continued.
    ‘What about her watch?’
    ‘Everything she wears — her dress, her jewelry — suggests elegance. That is, except for her watch. It is of a simple design—it is not even a lady’s watch. It is, however, the product of a Swiss company that is known for making highly accurate timepieces. Now, why should a lady of leisure choose such a watch?’
    ‘Perhaps it belonged to her late husband,’ I suggested.
    ‘That’s entirely possible. Or perhaps she has a fear of missing trains. In any case, it is unusual and therefore well worth noting.’
    We looked below as passengers began to leave the Nomadic and make their way up the ramp to board the Titanic . After having been delayed by the Titanic ’s late arrival, the new passengers appeared as though they might be tired, hungry and a little bit impatient.
    ‘Stay here and make sure that every bit of my baggage makes its way to my quarters,’ requested one middle-aged woman, as she led an entourage of servants across the ramp.
    ‘It appears that it will be some time before her porter gets his dinner,’ I told Holmes, with a sympathetic chuckle.
    Holmes did not reply. His eyes were fixed on the deck of the Nomadic . ‘Watson, the man in black on the deck of the tender...do you recognize him?’
    I looked into the yellow glow of the Nomadic ’s deck and, after a short time, was able to pick out the man Holmes had described. ‘I am unable to see him at all well. Do you know who he is?’
    Holmes remained silent until the man made his way on to the ramp. ‘Do you see him now, Watson? Do you not recognize him? It’s Moriarty!’
    For a moment I was concerned that my dear friend, Holmes, mightbe losing his mind. Miss Norton, also amazed by what she had heard, nearly dropped her bag over the side.
    ‘Holmes, Professor Moriarty has been dead for more than twenty years!’ I exclaimed. ‘What in heaven’s name are you talking about?’
    ‘Not Professor James Moriarty, Watson. The man coming on board is Colonel James Moriarty — the late professor’s brother.’
    I took another look at the figure in black. He assumed an erect military posture as he walked across the ramp with the rest of the crowd. From time to time, his head shifted up and down, and from side to side, as he examined the ship and his fellow passengers.
    ‘I do believe you are right, Holmes. It is indeed the colonel. What the devil is he doing here?’
    ‘Two brothers named James?’ Miss Norton