The Pulaskian., 1918-01-04
CHAPTER xxvII-continued.

deck all night, and returned to the cabin. left my stateroom door open, but in ten minutes I was sound asleep.
 What awakened me l do not know. I had a confused sense of some heavy body falling but no other sound. Yet this impression was so strong, so in- sistent, that L sat up in the berth, and stared out through the open door into the cabin beyond. I neither saw, nor heard anything, yet did not withdraw my eyes when I got to my feet; then I knew that the dark shapeless object, half under the table, was the motion less body of man. My throat seemed to contract, and choke me, but forced a quick breath and stepped forward through the door. The dingy cabin was deserted, not another stateroom door open. Thetable had been cleared of dishes. decanter of brandy stand ing alone on the swinging shelf. Un- derneath, with face concealed in the crook of one arm, lay man, an ugly gash in the back of his colored shirt, through which fresh blood was oozing, and dripping to the deck. I sprang for
 
 could hardly accept the evidence of my own eyes. How had this thing hap pened? How did the crippled sailor ever get into the cabin? Whose hand could have struck the blow? and for what purpose was it struck? It was murder, cowardly slash from behind j; no wound which could be self-inhicted. hr1to q Of daJf tf, aboard would have reason to seek the life of Dubois? I could think of no one; no cause for such a crime. An instant I stared dazed, into the dead, upturned face, not even knowing where to turn, in which direction to seek the murderer. felt as though every fac ulty of both brain and body was paralyzed by the shock Yet this was but for an instant. tried the doors of the various staterooms; all opened at my touch, excepting Bascom's, and proved unoceupied. 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 I 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 welcome, as crossed the deck, but the expression of her face instantly changed as our eyes met.
 "What is it, MT. 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 panion2'
 'T slept at first, but have been awake for some time. Dade came out on deck q few moments, and then went, back again; that must have been an hour ago. There was no one else until MT. Leayord was called to take his watch" "Who called him?'
 "Olson he was not below more than a minute"
 And Leayord responded immedi- ately7'
 "Yes, so quickly I remember think ing he could not have removed his clothes to lie down."
 And when was this?"
 "A half hour ago; he stopped and spoke with me before taking charge of the deck"
 "No one has entered the cabin since?"
 She shook her head.
 "No one, I am sure; MT. Olson did not go below; he is forward there now. Please tell me what has happened?"
 Dubois has been killed" explained briefly. T found his body on the cabin deck. The deed was just done ;; his fall awoke he from sleep, but be- fore l could leave the stateroom the murderer had disappeared"
 "He-he was murdered! You are sure?"
 "There was a knife wound in the back piercing the heart. The man died without sound"
 She rose to her feet, her face white, her body trembling so that I put out my hands to her support, and instantly her fingers clasped mine.
 CHAPTER xxviII.
 A Maniac on Board.