Free Jack Kane and the Statue of Liberty by Michell Plested, J. R. Murdock

crane moved slowly from out of one of the larger dry docks. Its large feet functioned like massive snowshoes intended for moving along the bottom of the bay. The legs telescoped to allow it to go deeper into the water than a normal dry dock. Jack sighed as a huge plume of black smoke poured from the top of the massive steel structure.
    “I designed those legs, but never got a chance to build them. Your father had the drawings. He must’ve put them to use. From what I can tell they’re getting ready to pull the ships up from the bottom of the bay.”
    “Well, that’s all well and good, Mr. Kane, but try looking right there.”
    Following Betsy’s parasol he saw a grandstand had been erected in front of the Isere , that funny French ship. Banners of red, white, and blue had been strung along and a podium set up. It appeared most peculiar.
    “Why would they have so much set up for a French ship?” Jack asked. “I mean, I know we’re trying to stay on good terms with the French, but why so much pomp and circumstance?”
    “The ship must have something important upon it. I say, before we check into this Manuel whatchamacallit ship, we see what’s going on over there. Perhaps this is a bigger deal than we thought.”
    “But not here to look at that ship. Our investigation involves the one that sunk.”
    “Remember what I said? Perhaps they sank the wrong ship?”
    Before Jack could protest further, Betsy grabbed a handful of her skirts and quickened her pace in the direction of the Isere and the platform. He shook his head. Finally she decided to start moving faster. He looked at the two carts and the pamphlets upon them. Being in front of her father’s work Jack decided they were as safe here as anywhere. They’d sold nearly all of the pamphlets. He removed the cells from the carts and ran to catch up with her.
    Around the grandstand, crew hurried about setting everything up and making sure all was tidy and ready to go. The police had set up a barrier and were keeping people back. Big Officer O’Malley directed officers and workers. He caught a glimpse of Betsy and took off his hat to expose his balding head. He swept forward in a mighty bow, but his smile left as soon as he saw Jack.
    “Ms. Wilkes. It’s a pleasure to see you, but you should know better than to keep company with the likes of Jack Kane.”
    “A fine good morning to you as well, Officer O’Malley. I see my father is keeping you busy.”
    “Oh, aye, with trying to keep people off the wharf until Mayor William Grace is here. It’s like trying to keep cats off the fishing boats when they come in. I knew there’d be quite a turn out here this morning, and if it hadn’t been for that other ship sinking, I’d have been better prepared.”
    Jack’s ears perked up. “Have you found the people responsible for sinking that ship?”
    Officer O’Malley’s eyes narrowed. “The police don’t need any help in getting that mystery figured out, thank you. You can read it in the papers once we’ve solved the case.”
    “Officer O’Malley, I need your help in understanding what is going on here,” Betsy interrupted. “What is on this ship?”
    “Oh, this? This is a trifle.” O’Malley laughed. “It’s the Statue of Liberty we’ve got here. Just came in this morning, and the mayor wanted to say a few words. I think there were even a few French diplomats on board. We’re mighty lucky this here ship didn’t sink along with the other.”
    “So you’d say this is a pretty important ship then?”
    “Oh, aye. You can be certain of that. The mayor would have my job if anything were to happen to it, and I don’t intend to let anything happen to it. Everyone is going to get here around ten this morning. Photographers, news folk, everyone. In fact, that eyesore is blocking the view of the ship.”
    Officer O’Malley gestured to a vehicle that was suspiciously like the one Jack had seen that morning in the yard. He gave it a sideways