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

deck all night, and returned to the
cabin. I left my stateroom door open,
but In ten minutes / was sound asleep.
What awakened me do not know. l
had q confused sense Of some heavy
body falling, but no other sound. Yet
this impression was so strong, so in
sistent, that sat up in the berth, and
stared out through the open door into
the cabin beyond. / neither saw, nor
heard anything, yet did not withdraw
my eyes when got to my feet; then !
knew that the dark shapeless object,
half under the table, was the motion
less body Of a man. My throat seemed
to contract, and choke me. but l forced
Q quick breath and stepped forward
through the door. The dingy cabin
was deserted, not another stateroom
door open. The table 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 a man, an ugly
cash in the back of his colored shirt,
through which fresh blood was oozlng,
and dripping to the deck. sprang for
ward, and turned him over-Dubois.
could hardly accept the evidence of
my own eyes. How had this thing hap
pened? How did the crippled sailor
ever get into the cabin2 Whose hand
could have struck the blow? and for
what purpose was 1t struck? 1t was
murder, a cowardly slash from behind (;
no wound which could be self-inficted,
but blow of deliberate purpose. Who
aboard would have reason to seek the
life of Dubois? / could think Of no
one; no cause for such a crime. An
instant 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
out for an instant. tried the doors Of
the various staterooms; all opened at
my touch. excepting Bascom's, and
proved unoccupied. His was locked rs
usual, and felt 1t 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
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-shadowet
cabin behind. the open deck was suct
scene Of quiet as to appear like an
other world. Vera was still resting II
her chair not twenty feet away. Sh'
glanced up, smiling a welcome. as
crossed the deck, but the expression
of her face instantly changed as oul
eyes met.
"what is It, Mr.. Hollis1 Are VI
again In danger2"
"There has been trouble below. lie
me question you before I explain. 70,
have been here for the last hourT
"Yes; longer even than that"
"Who have you seen enter the com
panionT
II slept at first, but have been awak
Tor some time. Dade came out on dec
again; that must have been an hou
ago. There was no one else until MI
Leayord was called to take his watch.
"Who called himT
"Olson; he was not below more thal
q minute"
"And Leayord responded immed
ately2"
"Yes, SO quickly ! remember thinh
ing he could not have removed hi
clothes to lie down."
"And when was this~
"a half hour ago; he stopped an
spoke with me before taking charge q
the deck"
"No one has entered the cabi
SINGER
She shook her head.
"No one, I am sure; Mr.. Olson di
not go below; he is forward there nov
Please tell me what has happened?"
"Dubois has been killed." explaine
briefly. II found his body on til
cabin deck. The deed was just done
his fall awoke me from sleep, but b
fore ! could leave the stateroom II
murderer had disappeared"
"He-he was murderedl You al
suref"
"There was a knife wound In y
back piercing the heart. The man die
without a sound"
She rose to her feet, her face whit
her body trembling so that I put o,
my hands to her support, and instant
her fingers clasped mine.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Maniac on Board.
The horror with which she look