The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-02
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Fight In the stateroom.

The Fight In the Stateroom
Inc Two new men on the Xenia were
strangely subdued in manner, and their
races were pale under their thick coat of
ian as they looked questioningly into each
other,s eyes in that pale dawn after the
murder in the derelict. Never, perhaps,
had they been gladder to see daylight,
ana they felt singular need of one an
others society which compelled them to
keep together, close together. g..
What do you really think Of this busi-
ness!' asked one man of the other. DO
you believe that there is a living human
being hid somewhere on board this yacht
playing the ghost and numbering anyone
who interferes with him?" .....
NO. said his mate. II can't believe it
II there was anybody we should have
found him. A cat couldn't have hid from
u.s. You know that as we'll as do r
amt superstitious; I've been used to
laughing at tales Of ghosts and such like
put I'm hanged II I'll laugh after we get
off this accursed derelict-if we ever do
For it is accused. There's no other way
round l suppose that woman was a
thief, and we shall get into hot water for
letting her sneak on board behind our
backs; but what I say Is, we're not re-
sponsiole FOR what goes on here. Tho
yachts bewitched, or worse 1t was all
well enough chatting poor old Brown
ABOUT his ghost. but If We don't look out
that same ghost will do for one of us the
same way 1t did for that thief, who de-
served what she got, while we shouldn't"
Inc other man shuddered. Its hard
to say that Of any woman" he answered.
II was an awful way to die. l shant for
get those marks on her throat in a hurry,
What was that?" broke in his mate, In
sharp whisper
The two stood rigid, shocked in silence,
every nerve strained to listen. Still the
sound which had startled them went on
a horrld chattering, such as a very OLD
person or a maniac might make in mar
ticulate rage Mingled with it there was
noise of scuffing.
Hes found 1t! Mr. KNIGHTS found
II! stammered one Of the men,
More likely it's found him, and we shall
nave another murder to report.' ex-
clal1ned MS mate. For heavens sake
where does the noise come from?"
One Of the cabins, or the saloon, l
should say
We'll, there's nothing for it but we
must go and help
i suppose We must. But I'm hanged il
like the job. When I fight I want to
know what I'm lighting. Take your knife,
You may need it. I've got mine. NV
word! that's the kind Of sound to make
you go cold all over when other folks are
dying Of heatstroke.''
They talked to keep up their own cour-
age as they hurried in the direction of
the hldeous, chattering screams and the
scufllng accompaniment. In front of a.
closed door one Of the men seized his
mate by the arm and jerl1ed him back, as
he would have bounded on.
Don't you hear, it's in that state
room!' he CALCULATED. Good heavens.
what horror! It's not human!'
'There-now it's gone further on to the
next cabin!" cried the other They're
lighting against the door!'' 49,. ; .
- There's door between the two state
rooms" said the first TRY if YOU can
get in; either one will do They're to and
fro to and fro. For the love of mercy,
what's going on in there?'
I'VE can't get in the doors locked on
the inside" painted the othen 80 is
this one. Mr.. Knight has locked himself
In with that chattering horror, whatever
It is, We've got to break the door down.
Go and fetch a big chair from the sa-
loon. That's the best thing and We'll
smash it in. I'll stop here to be ready to
help in case Mr.. knight unlocks the door
and comes OUT r. 3. 49,.
AS his mate bounded Off to obey, the
man shouted Dicks name: Mr. Knight
MIR. knight! For heavens sake. sir, let
US know that you're not being killed!''
He called loudly, but the shrill, con-
tinuous chattering on the other side of
the door drowned his words, and for an
sWer came another thud against the
wooden panels which made him involun-
tarily start back ,..-. .s-.-
By this time the other man had come
back with the chair. Without a word
he lifted it high above his head and
brought it crashing down against the
door. The wood cracked but did not break.
Again he raised the chair and swung it
down with another mashing blow The
two hind legs of carved teak wood burst
through the panels with a loud spintering
noise. A third blow, and one whole panel
gave way. The man struck it out with a
strong push, and thrusting his arm into
the ragged hole he had made found the
lock and turned the key. Fearfully he
stared into the cabin. Knight and the
chattering thing with which he fought
had disappeared through the open door Of
the adjoining stateroom, and the two men