Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-28
CHAPTER xxxIv-tContinued)

G.ITTTIAT do you think OF our guests" ]
w asked finally "Can VIC trust them
at ar?"
mot so far as you could swing hui by
the tail, sir" he answered soberly, 'They
amt forgot the night In the boat yet, but
there's just as much he'll in en- as there
ever was"
"Your opinion is. they will neJer help sail
this ship into St. Johns II any vilainy will
save them?'
That's It, sir they're so black now they
won't mind a little more
That's my judgment we must Keep them
apart as much as we can, and have an eye
on them all the time How about Dugan!
He talks straight enough, and to my
notion means to play square
That was my impression; he's lrish ana
hotheaded. but no criminal Masters can
keen an eye on White and Tony down be.
low. and with McCann In Mr.. Lcayord's
watch on deck, and Liverpool along with
you we ought to be able TO Keep the TEL
lows separated. Besides, I'll be about most
OF the time
How long do you suppose it will be,
sir?"
To-day and another night likely; can
tell better when l get an observation az
noon. II will not give them much time for
plotting"
sent the two forward with Olson when
thew returned to the deck from the cabin
and he busted them gathering up the rlilie
about the forecaste caused by the hlGht
storm Mccain moved as though scatCeIy
able TO exert himself, but Red took hold as
~ gIad 10 he occupied. Vera came down
the ladder, and we spoke together brleHy
about what had occurred She hnally VOL
unteered to get some food ready, ana
went below with her, rousng up baue anu
49,. laF
hour later all aboard enjoyed warm "'e""
eating alike in the after cabin
Rv 2 o'clock everything had settled down
into n routine, and ! could hardly realize
the incidents of the last few hours. Ihe
wind had diminished noticeably ana the sea
no longer battered US.
The Indian Chief was again on the direct
course for a port, with bow pointed TO the
south of west, with Dugan alone at the
wheel, a short pipe clinched in his teeth
had taken my observation at noon, hnding
that our present position was within thirty
miles OF where we had been the day preVi-
Gus There were no signs OF the missing
boats and no CLEAN Of sail or spiral OF
smoke appeared along the ring Of the hort
zon. Vera had brought book on deck
discovered a steamer chair and in the shade
| of the front cabin made pretense at read
| ing As drew near, however, | found her
| sound asleep Forward Just beyond the
mainrnast, Olson, with two OF the men, was
cobbling up a small boat-the dinghy the
| only one left aboard-in an effort 10 make
it seaworthy. Mccain was not among
| them, and Leayord was in MS stateroom'
| The whole scene was so peaceful that
Welded TO my own need Of rest, certain
should be on deck all night, and returned
| 10 the cabin. I left my stateroom dooG open,
| but in ten minutes was sound asleep.
What awakened me l do not know.
| had a confused sense of some heavy body
| falling. but no other sound Yet this inn
| pression was so strong, so insiStent, that l
| sat up in my berth and stared out through
| the open door into the cabin beyond.
must have been sleeping for some time for
! the rays of the sun no longer streamed
| down through the deck tTansom and the
| cabin interior appeared dark and shadowy
| 7 neither saw nor heard anything yet did
| not withdraw my eyes when | got to my
feet 4; then I knew that the dark shapeless
| object half under the table, was the mo-
tionless body Of a man. My throat seemed
TO contract and choke me, but / forced q
quick breath and stepped forward through
| the door The dingy cabin was deserted
not another stateroom door open. The table
had been cleared OF dishes a decanter OF
| brandy standing alone on the swinging
shelf Underneath, with face concealed in
| the crook of one arm, lay a man, an ugly
through which fresh blood was oozing and
dripping 70 the deck l sprang forward
and turned him over-Dubois!
I could hardly accept this evidence Of mS
own ewes. Good God how had this thinG
happened? How did the crippled sailor evel
oat into the cabin? Whose hand couIC
have struck the blow? and for what pur
nose was II struck? II was murder a COW.
ardlv slash from behind; no wound which
could have been self-nhicted, but a blow
Of deliberate purpose Who aboard woulC
have reason to seek the life of Dubois
| I could think Of no one; no cause for sucl
| a crime. An instant stared, dazed, int
the dead, upturned face, not even knowinJ
| where 10 turn, in which direction TO seel
tha murderer. felt as though every fac
uItv OF both brain and body was paralyzeC
| hv the shock. Yet this was but for an in
| slant l tried the doors Of the various
| staterooms; all opened at my touch, ex
osnting Bascom's, and proved unoccupied
IIia was locked as usual, and felt II use
les 10 disturb the man. Leayord was NJ
ionoer below he had doubtless awakened
anH gone on deck, but discovered Dad
ssIsep in his old berth down the passage
shook him awake and compelled him I,
come back with me.
The horror Of his face at sight Of the deat
bodv only intensified my own, but / ha,
| grin on my nerves by now, and was deter
mined TO learn the truth.
"stay here until / find out what is hap
| naming on deck. There Is nothing 10 b,
afraid Of, you fool; the man Is dead. Yes
! you can stand over theres put don't qeaEl