The Huttig news., 1918-02-09

by now to realize the peril we faced between decks, searching for the mad man, whom We might encounter at any moment.
 Run on deck, White," 1 ordered, and pick up a couple of marling spikes. l have q revolver. Tell Mr. l Leayord the situation, ard have him keep his eyes open. Better have him warn McGann, and Miss Darlington i had best remain near the wheel until we get our hands on this fellow. Hurry back now.''
 Olson and 1 remained motionless, eur eyes on the black opening leaGing forward, the dim rays of the lantern falling on the ghastly faces of the two l dead men outstretched on the deck. It l was a grewsome spot, and my heart was beating like trlphammer. made i 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 1 tested the weight in his hand.
 Quiet as June mornin' up there, sir he announced, squinting about There ain't nobody seen nuthin' of no maniac. 1 reckon yer better let Olson carry the lantern so you and I 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 fghting,n I an swered, knowing the Swede to be hot i tempered, ard touchy about his size. However, one will have to carry it."
 "It's all right, sir" said Olson quiet ly. "I'll hoi3 the glim, but if that big duffer doesn't stand up to the job, I'll bust glass an all over hls head.''
 We certainly made q thorough search of it. 1 doubt if stray rat got hy us without being seen, but from the after cabin to the engineroom ladder we found no trace of Bascom; no indica- tion even that he had ever passed that WHY. The effort to locate Bascom's hiding place was absolutely vain-the i cunning of the madman oyercane our diligence ard wit; he had disappeared IS 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 ny steel bulkhead, water tight, pierced by a single door. to be sure, but this was closed and locked securely. 'Is there any eommuniea- tion betwccn the forecastle and fine hold, White?" asked, staring helpless ly at the steel barrier.
 'No sir; the fo'castle is all above lcck."
 ''How was this door manipulated? Do either of you know?"
 Well, l had charge O loadin' the after-hold, sir" and Olson scratched his head trying b remember. That 1 door never was opened but once, when Captain Hadley tested it before we left Baltimore, or maybe after we got out l in the Chesapeake. I think it wus opened an shut frum the bridge, Mr. Hollis.'
 That is the usual arrangement, but there is slot here for key; still the door is steel, and it looks too heavy for any one man to operate"
 l leaned over, and looked down into the lighted engireroom at the bottom of the shaft. All I could see was great wheel steadily turning.
 Masters"
 The engineer stepped into view. and peered up into the darkness; he ap- peared burly and shapeless.
 That you, eaptain?"
 "Yes. Bascom, the owner, has gone crazy, and has hidden himself some where on board"
 "Wel, I'll be swamped! Can't you find him?"
 Not yet; we've searched every place aft. He hasn't visited you?"
 Not to my knowledge. Tony is back in the freroom; I'll ask him."
 The three of us clung to the ladder gazing down, the light from the lantern revealing our faces. Masters was not gone moment, but his voice had changed.
 '.fony,s killed, sir" he called up ex- eiteely. "He's lying on the coal in number one bunker, cut in the back with a knife"
 The words were not out of his mouth before we were scranbling down. But our haste gained us noth- ing. The only trail Bascom had left was the dead Italian, stretched out in the half emptied coal bunker, his lips closed forever It was a knife thrust which had killed him-just such thrust as had done for his two mates in the cabin above; but the madman had disappeared. However, here was proof positive that the fellow was still on board still hiding between decks. l He had not reached the open, or flung himself into the sea. Masters could tell us nothing; he had heard no sound, seen no shadow. He had been bling the machinery, and man could 1 have slipped down the ladder unob- served, and escaped again in the same way. There was no other entrance to i the engineroom the forward bulkhead was solid; there were two ventilator shafts. but neither was large enough