A careful search of the cabins, each with two berths, revealed nothing.
“Hey, look at this!” Li called. He was in the engine compartment, a small space between the forward cabin and the galley. “Doesn’t it look to you as if this has been moved recently?”
Li pointed to the wooden cover which housed the engine. It was sitting slightly askew.
“We’ll take a look underneath.” Biff took one side of the housing, Li the other.
“Careful now. Heave gently.”
They removed the housing.
“Must be a flashlight around here somewhere. Have to have one if we’re going to find anything.”
Li found one in the tool chest.
Biff took it and directed its beam of light on the top of the engine.
“Nice little engine. A four-cylinder Indian Marine. Ought to shove us along around eight or ten knots.”