American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-01-08

clearly revealed at a glance. The man
was not there. / drew back the cur
tains conceallng 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 In,
and was neatly made; one drawer Of
the desk stood open, and papers were
scattered on the rug beneath q chair
was overturned on the deck "A chest IN
one corner had been ummaged. It's
contents flung aside. My eyes fell on
White, his mouth open. his face gro
tesque in It's coating Of coal dust.
Hanged II he amt got away, sir"
he biurted out, but he never went
overheard through that port-a cat
couldn't hn' done IT,"
mo, he's aboard all right" / coin
cided. But whereof and for what pur-
poser There Is no knowing what a
man In his state OF mind may do. Good
heavens he could wreck the ship. Get
q light. White-take the cabin lantern.
Olson and I will have to look behind
these doors first. and then wen en-
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 amldships. | 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" l ordered,
and pick up a couple OF marling
spikes. | have "A revolver. Tell Mr..
Leayord the situation. and have him
keep his eyes open. Better have him
warn Mccain, and Miss Darlington
had best remain near the wheel until
we get Il hands on this fellow. Hurry
back now"
Olson and | remained m%otionless,
our eyes on the black opening leading
forward, the dim rays Of the lantern
failing on the CHASTITY fnces OF the two
dead men Outstretched on the deck. Il
was a grewsome spot. and my heart
was beating like a triphammer. | made
sure my revolver was loaded, dropping
the weapon into a jacket pocket. White
reJolned us, grasping the spikes, one
OF which he passed over to Olson, who
tested the weight In his hand. q
Quiet as Il 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 nghting," / an
swered, knowing the Swede to be hot
tempered. and tOuchy about his size.
However. M will have to carry IT,"
TITS all right. sir" said Olson quiet
ly. I'll hold the gllm, but II that big
dufer doesn't stand up to the Job, I'll
bust glass an all over his head"
We certainly made a thorough search
OF IL. doubt II n stray rat got by us
without being seen. but from the after
cabin to the %englneroom ladder we
found no trace OF BascOm; no lndlca-
ton even that he had ever passed that
way. The effort 20 locate Bascom's
hiding place was absolutely vain-the
cunning OF the mailman overcame our
diligence and wit he had disappeared
as though swallowed by the sea, leav-
ing not so much as "A clue behind.
Beyond the hole leading to the en-
gineroom below. our advances we're
blocked by a steel bulkhead. water
tight, pierced by "A single door. TO be
sure, but this was closed and locked
securely. rs there any communlca-
ton between the %forecastle aud the
hold, Whltef' l asked, staring helpless
ly at the steel barrier.
NO, sir; the fo'castle is all above
deck"
How was this door manipulated? DO
either OF you known"
well. l 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 Il before we left
Baltimore, OF maybe after we got out
Ia the Chesapeake. | think Il wus
opened an shut frum the bridge, Mr..
Hollis"
THAT is the usual arrangement. but
there Is a slot here for a key stlll the
door Is steel, and II looks too heavy for
amy n man 10 operate"
leaned over, and looked down into
the lighted englncroom at the bottom
OF the shaft. All I could see was a
great wheel steadily turning.
Masters"
The engineer stepped into view. and
peered up into the darkness; he ap-
peared burly aud shapelesa
THAT you. captainf'