Courier Democrat., 1918-03-28

uerneatn, with race conceaieu lii ine
crook Of one arm, lay man. an ugly
cash in the back Of his colored shirt,
through which fresh blood was oozing,
and dripping to the deck. I sprang for
ward, and turned him over-Dubois.
I could hardly accept the evidence Of
my own eyes. How had thfs thing hap
pened? How did the crippled sailor
ever get into the cabin? Whose hanf7
could have struck the blow? and for
what purpose was it struck? 1t was
murder, cOwardly slash from behind;
no wound which could be self-inf1icted,
hut blow of deliberate purpose Who
aboard would have reason to seek the
life Of Dubois? I could think of no
one; no cause for such q crime. An
instant I stared daZed, into the dead,
npturned face, not even knowing where
to turn, in which direction to seek the
murderer. I felt as though every fac
nlty of both brain and body was
paralyZed by the shock Yet this was
hut for an instant. tried the doors OF
the various staterooms: all opened at
My touch, excepting Bascom's, and
proved unoccupied. His was locked as
usual, and I felt it useless to disturb
the man. Leayord was no longer be-
low; he had doubtless awakened and
gone on deck, but I discovered Dade
asleep in his old berth down the pas
sage, shook him awake, and compelled
him to come back with me. The horror
of his face at sight of the dead body
only intensified my own, but had grip
on my nerves by now, and was deter
mined to learn the truth.
"Stay here until I find out what is
happening on deck. There is nothing
to be afraid Of, you fool; the man is
dead. Yes, you can stand over there,
but don't leave until come back. and
keep your eyes open"
AS emerged from the companion
leaving the dingy, death-shadowed
cabin behind, the open deck was such
a scene of quiet as to appear like an
other world. Vera was still resting in
her chair not twenty feet away. She
glanced up, smiling a welcome, as
crossed the deck, but the expression
Of her face instantly changed as oui
eyes met. a..>a
"What is it, Mr.. Hollis? Are we
again in danger?"
There has been trouble below Let
me question you before explain. You
have been here for the last hour?"
"Yes: longer even than that"
"Who have you seen enter the com
panion?'
/ 81 slept at first, but have been awake
for some time. Dade came out on decl
a few moments, and then went bacl
again; that must have been an hou
ago. There was no one else until Mr.
LeayOrd was called to take his watch.
"Who called him?"
"Olson; he was not below more thar
minute"
"And Leayord responded immedi
ately?" '~.saa :,sss4.,,ss ~, .,s,. s..-.,....
"Yes, so quickly I remember think
ing he could not have removed hi
clothes to lie down."
"And when was this?"
"A half hour ago; he stopped ant
spoke with me before taking charge o
the deck"
"No one has entered the cabil
since?"
, She shook her head
mo one, I am sure; Mr.. Olson dit
not go below; he is forward there now
. Please tell me what has happened?"
Dubois has been killed." explained
briefly. II found his body on tn
cabin deck. The deed was just done
his fall awoke me from sleep. but be
fore I could leave the stateroom tn
murderer had disappeared"
"He-he was murdered! You ar
sure?''
"There was knife wound in tn
back piercing the heart. The man diet
without sound"
She rose to her feet, her face white
her body trembling so that put on
my hands to her support. and instantl,
her fingers clasped mine.