Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-11-13
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n We found nothing, not the slightest
trace Of the fugitive. Beyond doubt he
had gone forward, either seeking to
escape, or with the thought that he
could attain the deck through some
opening amidships. was cool enough
BY now to realize the peril we faced
between decks. searching for the mad
man, whom we might encounter at any
moment.
Z run on deck, White" ordered,
"and pick up q couple Of marling
spikes. have q revolver. Tell Mr..
Leayord the situation, and have him
keep his eyes open. Better have him
warn McCann, and Miss Darlington
had hest remain near the wheel until
we get our hands on this fellow. Hurry
back now"
Olson and I remained motionless,
our eyes on the black opening leading
forward, the dim rays Of the lantern
falling on the CHASTITY faces Of the two
dead men outstretched on the deck. It
was grewsome spot, and my heart
was beating like triphammer. I made
sure my revolver was loaded, dropping
the weapon into a Jacket pocket. White
rejoined us, grasping the spikes. one
Of which he passed over to Olson, who
tested the weight in his hand.
"Quiet as q June mornin' up there,
sir" he announced, squirting about
there amt nobody seen nuthin' Of no
maniac. reckon yer better let Olson
carry the lantern, so you and can be
sOrter free to grip the chap; we're big
ger than the mate"
.From what I've seen Of Olson he'll
do his share Of the fighting" I an
Swered. knowing the Swede to be hot
tempered, and touchy about his size.
However, one will have to carry It,"
! "It's all right, SIR" said Olson quiet
~. "I'll hold the glim, but If that big
duffer doesn't stand up to the Job, I'll
bust glass an all over his head"
We certainly made a thorough search
Of It. I doubt If stray rat got by us
without being seen, but from the after
cabin to the engineroom ladder we
found no trace Of Bascom; no indica-
lion even that he had ever passed that
way. The effort to locate Bascom's
hiding place was absolutely vain-the
cunning Of the mailman overcame our
.::....ssee,ca az. ri; he had disappeared
as though swallowed by the sea, leav-
ing not so much as clue behind.
Beyond the hole leading to the en-
gineroom below. our advances were
blocked by a steel bulkhead, water
tight. pierced by a single door, to be
sure, but this was closed and locked
securely. SIS there any communica-
ton between the forecastle and the
hold, Winter" asked, staring helpless
~ at the steel barrier.
''No, sir; the fo'castle is all above
deck"
Elbow was this door manipulated? Do
either Of you know"
''Well, I had charge o. loadin' the
after-hold. sir" and Olson scratched
his head trying to remember. "That
door never was opened but once, when
Captain Hadley tested it before we left
Baltimore, or maybe after we got out
In the Chesapeake. I think it wus
opened an shut frum the bridge, Mr..
Hollis"
"That IL the usual arrangement, but
there II a slot here for key still the
door IL steel, and 1t looks too heavy for
any one man to operate"
/ leaned over, and looked down into
the lighted engineroom at the bottom
Of the shaft. All could see was q
great wheel steadily turning.
Masters"
The engineer stepped into view, and
peered up into the darkness; he ap-
peared burly and shapeless.
'.That you, captain7"
Eyes. Bascom, the owner, has gone
crazy. and has hidden himself some
where on board
''well, I'll be swampedi Cant you
ind him?'
! mot yet; we've searched every place
aft. He hasn't visited your
sNot to my knowledge. Tony Is back
In the flreroom; I'll ask him."
The three Of us chung to the ladder
gazing down, the light from the lantern
revealing our faces. Masters WIS not
gons, ! moment. but his voice had
changeds
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