Meade County news., 1918-01-10

ClOSGut anu 6ldopCu lllC hhOO Win hO
thought 1t would yield to my fingers.
But it did, and 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. l 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 Il
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; chair
was overturned on the deck; 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 If 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" l coin
clded. "But where? and for what pur-
poser There is no knowing what
man in his state Of mind may do. Good
heavens he could wreck the ship. Get
light, White-take the cabin lantern.
Olson and I 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 amidshlps. 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" I ordered,
"and pick up a couple of marllng
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 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 a grewsome spot, and my heart
was beating like a 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.
"Quiet as June mornln' 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 1 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" 1 an
swered, knowing the Swede to be hot
tempered, and touchy about his size.
| AAO"SNOAB OhC VIII hdNC "
'It's all right, sir" said Olson quiet
ly, "Tll hold the glim, but If that big
duffer doesn't stand up to the job, I'll
bust glass an all over his head"
We certainly made thorough search
of 1t. I doubt If stray rat got by us
without being seen, but from the after
cabin to the engineroom ladder we
found no trace of Bascom; no indica-
tlon even that he had ever passed that
way. The effort to locate Bascom's
hiding place was absolutely vain-the
cunning Of the madman overcame our
diligence and wit; he had disappeared
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 were
blocked by a steel bulkhead, water
tight, pierced by single door, to be
sure, but this was closed and locked
securely. as there any communica-
ton between the forecastle and the
hold, White?' asked, staring helpless
ly at the steel barrier.
| NO, SlT TIE lO CuSIle Is I'LL dDOVe
deck"
"How was this door manipulated? Do
either Of you know?"
"Well, 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 it before we left
Baltimore, or maybe after we got out
in the Chesapeake. l think 1t wus
opened an shut frum the bridge, Mr.
Hollis"
"That is the usual arrangement, but
there is slot here for a key; still the
door is steel, and it looks too heavy fol
any one man to operate"
leaned over, and looked down into
the lighted engineroom at the bottom
of the shaft. All l could see was @
great wheel steadily turning.
Masters"
The engineer stepped into view, ant
|, peered up into the darkness; he ap
peared burly and shapeless.
'That you, captain?"
"Yes. Bascom, the owner, has gone
crazy, and has hidden himself some
uhara On hnordV