Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-23
CspyrIghf 1913. BY the lfeCiure Publieafons, Inc.
Ceprright, 1919. BY Mary Rabert5 Rinehart.

Enee. There was some one Just peyouc
the door
moment later the pressure was re-
leased II WIS then that woman
screamed-a low. sobbinS cry. broken
OFF almost before IL began. | had got
nv knife by that time. and in despera-
ton / threw myself against the door.
II 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
a match
As got up six bells struck. 1t was
o'clock.
Wallis room was next TO the pantry
and forward. felt my way TO il and
raped
"Vail.' called. VAIL
His door was open an inch or so.
went in and felt my way TO his bunk.
could hear him breathing. sterto-
rous respiration like that OF sleep. and
yet unlike. The moment ! touched
him the sound ceased and did not
commence again. | struck match
and bent over him.
he had been almost cut TO pieces
with an AK.
The match burned out. and l drop
ped it. ! remember mechanically ex-
tinguishing the glowing end with my
heel. and then Strengthening to such
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 it ! made an attempt TO find
tine switch for the cabin lights. and.
failing. revolver in hand. 1 ran into the
chart room and up the after companion
way. Charlie Jones was at the wheel.
and by the light OF a lantern ] saw
that he was bending to the right. peer
ing I'm at the chart room window. he
turned when he heard me.
What's wrong:" he asked. II heard
4 yell n minute ago. Turner on the
rampace:- He saw my revolver then.
and. letting go the wheel. tN.ew up
both his hands. Turn that gun .way.
you fool.'
/ could hardly speak. lowered the
revolver and gasped: Call the cap
tain, Wallis been murdered"'
Good Godi' 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 / clutched at the railing or the
companionway.
Il don't know. Where's the cap
tain:'
. The mates around" He raised his
voice. MIR. Singleton he called.
There was no time 10 lose. felt. My
Ea1 Iaf 4 I'd ~
where 1 could dimly see Singleton look !
ing iE my direction.
Singleton, Quickr' called Bring !
your revolver"
He came slowly toward me. and in I
a dozen words told him what had |
happened | saw then that he had /
been drinking He reeled against me
and seemed at loss 10 know what
70 do.
Get your revolver" / said. land /
wake the captain-'
He disappeared into the forward
house. TO come back n moment later
with a revolver. ] had got lantern
in the meantime and ran 10 the for
ward companionway which led into
the main cabin. Singleton followed
me.
Swinging the lantern ahead OF me. !
led the way down the companionwny.
Something lay huddled at the foot
had TO step over It 10 get down. Sin
gieton stood above. on the steps.
stopped and held the lantern close. and
we both saw that 1t was the captain.
killed as Vail had been. He was fully
dressed except for his coat. and as he
lay on his back his cap had been placed
over his mutiinted face.
l thought heard something moving
behind ME In the cabin and wheeled
sharply. holding my revolver ieveled
The idea had come TO me that the