The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-19

drawers for linens on either side, and
beyond. lighted by a portfolio. the small
supply room In which had been sleep
ing.
Along. this passageway. then, 1 crop
ed my way to the door at the end,
opening into the main cabin near the
chart room door and across from Mrs.
Turner's room. This door I had been
In the habit of leaving open for two
purposes-ventilation and in case |
might be. as Mrs. Johns had feared.
required In the night
The door was locked on the outside.
l was moment or two i'll grasping
the fact. shook 1t carefully to see II
it had merely caught, and then in
credulous, | put my weight to it. 1t
refused to yield. The silence outside
was absolute
l felt my way back TO the window
1t was open. but was barred with iron
and. even without that, too small for
my shoulders. listened for the mate.
1t was still dark and so not yet time
for the watch to change. Singleton
would be on duty, and be rarely came
aft. There was no sound OF footsteps.
lit match and examined the lock
1t was a simple one. and as my idea
now was to free myself without rails
ing an alarm. decided to unscrew II
| with my pocket knife | was still CON
fused. but inclined to consider my im-
prisonment jest, perhaps on the part
! of Charlie Jones. who tempered his re
| ligious fervor with fondness for
practical joking,
accordingly knelt in front of the lock
and opened my knife. was in dark
ness and working by touch. l had e1-
tracted one screw and with growing
sense of satisfaction was putting it in
my pocket before loosening second
when board on which l knelt moved
under my knee. lifted as if the other
end, beyond the door. had been step
ped on. There was no sound, no creak.
Merely that ominous lifting under my
knee. There was some one just beyond
the door.
! A moment later the pressure was re-
| leased. Ii was then that woman
/ screamed-a low. sobbing cry. broken
| Off almost before it began. | had got
my knife by that time. and in despera-
| tion l threw myself against the door.
1t gave way. and | fell full length on
| the main cabin floor. | was still in
! darkness. The silence in the cabin
was absolute. | could hear the steers
man beyond the chart room scratching
match
As | got up six bells struck 1t was
| 8 o'clock
| Wallis room was next to the pantry
and forward felt my way to it and
raped.
vail" called. Vail"
His door was open an inch or So |
went in and felt my way to his bunk.
I could hear him breathing, a sterto-
rous respiration like that Of sleep. and
! yet unlike. The moment | touched
him the sound ceased and did not
commence again. l struck a match
and bent over him.
He had been almost cut to pieces
with an ak.
The match burned out and | drop
| ped ii. | remember mechanically ex-
tinguishing the glowing end with my
heel. and then Strengthening to such a
sense of horror as l have never felt
before or since.
had been sleeping with my revolver
beside me on the pantry floor. Some
how or other | got back there and
! found 1t. made an attempt to find
! the switch for the cabin lights. and.
| falling. revolver in hand. l ran into the
\ chart room and up the after companion
way. Charlie Jones was at the wheel,
and by the light of lantern l saw
that he was bending to the right, peer
ing in at the chart room window. He
turned when he heard me.
whats wrongT he asked II heard
yell minute ago. Turner on the
rampage!" He saw my revolver then,
and. letting go the wheel. threw up
both his hands. Turn that gun away.
you fool"
could hardly speak. | lowered the
revolver and gasped: Call the cap
tain. Wallis been murdered
Good Cod he said. "Who did it,
He had taken the wheel again. and
was bringing the ship back to her
| course. | was turning sick and dizzy,
and l clutched at the railing of the
.compa nionway.
Il don't know. Where's the cap
tain?''
'"The mates around" He raised his
voice. Mr.. Singleton he called.
There was no time TO lose, felt. My
nausea had left ME. | ran forward to
where could dimly see Singleton look
ing in my direction.
Singleton! Quick" called. Bring
your revolver"
| He came slowly toward me, and in
dozen words I told him what had
happened | saw then that he had
been drinking. He reeled against me
and seemed at a loss to know what
| to do.
Get your revolver" ! said. land
wake the captain.
He disappeared into the forward
house. to come back a moment later
with a revolver. l had got lantern
in the meantime and ran to the for
ward companionway which led into
the main cabin. Singleton followed