The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-02-21

closed. and grasped the knob with no
thought II would yield to my fingers.
But 1t did, and l almost fell forward
into the room, catching myself. and
staring about. The last CLEAN OF the
sun streamed In through the stern
ports, and every object within was
clearly revealed at glance. The man
was not there. / drew back the cur
tains concealing the bath, but the space
was empty; only one OF the round !
ports was partially open, the aperture |
far too small to admit the passage OF n |
body. The bed had not been slept I'm, |
and was neatly made; one drawer Of |
the desk stood open, and papers were |
scattered on the rug beneath, a chair |
was overturned on the deck; a chest In
one corner had been rummaged. Its
contents flung aside. My eyes fell on
White, his mouth open, his face gro
tesque In Its coating Of coal dust.
Hanged II he amt got away, SIR"
he blurted out, "but he never went
overheard through that port-a cat
couldn't ha' done It,"
mo, he's aboard all right" coin
cided. But where? and for what pur-
pose? There is no knowing what
man in his state of mind may do. Good
heavens he could wreck the ship. Get
a light. White-take the cabin lantern.
Olson and l will have to look behind
these doors first, and then Wen ex-
plore between decks"
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. l 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.
run on deck, White" ordered,
"and pick up couple Of marling
spikes. I have revolver. Tell Mr..
LeayOrd the situation, and have him
keep his eyes open. Better have him
J warn McCann, and Miss Darlington
had best 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. 1t
was grewsome spot, and my heart
was beating like triphammer. made
sure my revolver was loaded, dropping
the weapon into jacket pocket. White
rejoined us, grasping the spikes, one
Of which he passed over to Olson, who
tested the weight In his hand.
"Quict rs June mornin' up there
sir" he announced, squirting about
There amt nobody seen nuthin' Of nc
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" 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
ly. "Tll hold the glim, but II that bii
I duffer doesn't stand up to the Job, IL
| bust glass an all over his head"
We certainly made thorough searcl
Of 1t. doubt II stray rat got by II
| without being seen, but from the after
| cabin to the engineroom ladder W,
found no trace Of Bascom; no indica
tion even that he had ever passed tina
way. The effort to locate Bascor,'
hiding place was absolutely vain IT
cunning Of the madman overcame ou
diligence and wit he had disappeare,
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 wer
j blocked by steel bulkhead. water
tight, pierced by single door, to b.
sure, but this was closed and locke
securely. ''Is there any communica
! tion between the forecastle and tn
hold, White?" asked, staring helpless
y ly at the steel barrier.
q mo, sir; the fo'castle is all abov
4 deck"
j "How was this door manipulated? d
a either Of you known"
Z "Well, / had charge o. loadin' tn
! after-hold, sir" and Olson scratche
. his head trying to remember. "Tha
n. door never was opened but once, whe
Captain Hadley tested 1t before we LEI
e. Baltimore, or maybe after we got ou
d. in the Chesapeake. i think 1t WI
q opened an shut frum the bridge. M
IS Hollis"
IS ''That Is the usual arrangement, by
of there is slot here for a key; still til
p door is steel. and 1t looks too heavy fo
ID any one man to operate"
leaned over, and looked down int
5; the lighted engineroom at the bottol
Of the shaft. All / could see was
I'd great wheel steadily turning.
Masters"
IS The engineer stepped into view. an
fe peered up into the darkness !. he a.
peared burly and shapeless.
IaN L.