The Columbus journal., 1910-04-06
CHAPTER XVI.
In Which 1 Again Core to Command

In Which I Again Core TO Command
Dade awoke me, the gray light OF
Che Antarctic day streaming in through
the portfolio.
Il pounded on the door twice, sir
he explained. quickly, but you WAS
slccpin' so hard had to come in,
Somothin' ; gone wrong in Mr.. Tut.
ties stateroOm. sir"
Wrong, What do you mean"
Well. sir gun went off in there
Just NOW. an
was already upon my feet. pulling
on my clothes.
Kun up on deck and ask De Nova
10 come down here at once. Lively
now. my lad"
The two had already reached the
foot of the companion stairs when
came ont. and DaGe had evidently
made the situation clear to the mind
OF the creole.
Have you been in Zare, monsieur"
he asked. anNiously.
No. not yet. but | fear the worst.
and thought it would be better for us
TO go together. Stand by, Dade, for
We may need YOU
The eXwhaleman was lying on the
floor in a cuTled-up heap. a revolver
resting beside him, perhaps foot
from his hand. The pungent odor of
powder was still in the room. We
turned him over. revealing a bullet
wound just in front of the ear. Be
Ill L. II, l.. Il
while sitting upon the edge OF the
bunk. and had Iumbled forward dead
before he struck the deck | glanced
toward De Nova. who stood staring
silently down at the dead man, and at
Dadc. almost yellow with terror. peer
ing cautiously in through the open
door
He is beyond further trouble" l
said. SOlomniy. The IGOR devil. Help
me lift him back into his berth"
Dade held aloof, but De Nova took
hold with me. and together We
Strengthened out the body. covering il
decenily with a sheet. Then We passed
out into the main cabin and closed the
door
What sort Of weather have we out
side. MIR. De Nova" | questioned. en-
GeavOrins 10 quell the beating of my
heart.
Clear an col, monsieur. re win
Eor'west."
Then We are holding our course"
'Oui. oui." gesticulating but wat
We DO new? wat We do now"
Well, that depends entirely upon
YOU and the crew" returned. shortly.
Mr.. futile is dead. beyond recall. |
am the only competent navigator left
on board For the sake of my own
life. as we'll as the safety OF those
women in our care. | propose aSsum-
ing command. Have you anything TO
say"
The creole stood motionless. grasp
ing the edge of the table. his black
eyes still fastened on Tuttle's closed
door.
Well. you had better decide" went
on. stoutly. and anyway the only
thing for US TO DO is TO put this matter
straight before the crew. Keep quiet
about what has happened until after
breakfaSt-you. TOO. Dade-and then
have the whole crew piped aft. Go
on about your work until then, and
keep your tongues sill"
sat down on the divan, watching
Dade as he BUSTED about from the
table to the ranIry, ever casting fur
tive SlanceS toward the silent state
room in which the dead man lay.
Finally gIt up. and. to Dade's horror,
re-enterec the mates room. returning
with the chart ulon which our course
had bet prickei up until noon of the
previous day, and spread it out across
lny knees. | was still engaged in
studying it when Lady Darlington.
fully dressed. emerged from her cab
Al. She touched me before | was even
aware of her presence
is Mir. futile still ill.," she ques-
tiGned. anNiouSly, and have you been
on duty all night"
The first officer is dead" | an
swtTed. and made her sit down beside
lie. Il viii tell you all the facts"
Size listened silently. her breath
G:.i~Ae2ei from excitement, her face