The Huttig news., 1918-03-02

still gripping the edge of the door was aware that Leayord peered in across my shoulder, and heard his startled lips utter one muffied exclama- tion. It was low-ceiled apartment painted white, with ports along the sides, the only staterooms being aft. A bright-hued rug covered the floor, and there were leather divans under the ports. The table in the center was fully set for meal covered with a white cloth, and glistening bravely with china and glass. There was food In abundance, partially eaten, and wineglasses half filled. I saw all these details; I recalled them afterwards, yet Tn that first instant of horror, the impression left upon me was merely of those silent, motionless figures sitting upright in their chairs. It was a grew some sight A great monster of d man faced me, his white, ghastly face appearing above a shaggy gray beard. his sightless, open eyes, staring full into mine. A wineglass had fallen from his opened fingers, and lay bre- ken on the deck. Indeed. everyone had apparently died as by stroke, retaining exactly the posture last as- sumed in life.
 To the right of the broad-shouldered giant was thin, young fellow, scarce iy out of his teens, but with a hard, repulsive face, and at his left dark faced man almost negro, grinned hor- ribly, as though death had stricken him even as he laughed. Nothing could be more awful to look upon than the gleam of his teeth, beneath the fantastic curl of his mustache. There were six altogether, five sitting upright in swivel chairs screwed to the deck, or leaning forward with heads resting on the table. The sixth, gray-haired and partially bald, had fallen side ways, and lay in a shapeless heap on the rug. They had the look of sea men, and were roughly dressed, three of them plainly foreigners, one with rings in his ears. The big man alone possessed the appearance of leader ship.
 saw all this in that one swift glance. Breath had not come sobbing l back to me, when Leayord's hand crushed my arm and his voice rumbled in my ear:
 "See. captain, they're dead; they're all dead :"
 'Yes," I answered, choking over the words. "there is no doubt of s~that. Something terrible has occurred here. Gall-call the other men,"
 I heard him stumble out through the companion door, and the roar of his voice as he shouted to those forward; I could distinguish the sound of their feet on the deck. but could not remove my gaze from that awful sight in the cabin. The eyes of that giant dead man. staring at me so fixedly across the table, held me as in d yise-there was something so ghastly, so terrible, about their expression, as to rob me of all sense, all courage. The men | joined me, Liverpool entering in ad- vance, and pushing past where l stood. have no recollection of seeing the others, although felt and heard | their presence. But I saw him marked his sudden stop, the quick banching of his face, and the sharp oath which burst from his lips, the swift, increduous look of surprise, of recognition, which leaped into his eyes He was staring straight into the ghast- ly face of the giant opposite. I doubt If he even saw any of the others.
 "Heart of the devil!" he shouted. "If it isn't Gaston de Lys! So you've got 1t at last, you old hound"
 He leaped forward, circled the table with a single stride, hate, memory, whatever the impulse might be, con quering all fear, and gripped his hand hard on the dead mans shoulder. And then he stiffened, every muscle of his body stricken; could see death strike him, his Jaw set, his eyes fiXed-an instant he stood rigid; then his whole form seemed to contract and he fell lifeless to the deck.
 sprang toward him, but Masters grlpped me, and hurled me back.
 "Hands off all of youl" he screamed. "Wait! Don't lay a finger on any of them; you are dead men if you do"
 "What do you mean? What is it?"
 "The most diabolical bit of devlltry ever eontrlved," he answered. "These men have been killed by electricity; the current is still on. I heard the whlr of the dynamo as I came aft. Don't move until I find the switch and disconnect; for Gods sake stand where you are."
 Perhaps he was gone five minutes; I could never tell; saw nothing but those dead men; heard nothing but the heavy breathing of my mates in the doorway. No one spoke; but once, It seemed to me, I caught the throb of that deadly dynamo, yet even as l seemed to distinguish the faint sound. 1t ceased abruptly. Masters pushed in l past me.
 "Ay, that was the truth" he said. "but It's snfe enough now. Lord; did you ever hear of such d-, cold blooded crime. See here, men, the vil- l lain planned his job well-here are | Gl I. I .1r s.1F..