The Pulaskian., 1918-01-04

closed, and 1 grasped the knob with no thought it would yield to my fingers. But it did, and l almost fell forward into the room, catching myself, and staring about. The last gleam of the sun streamed in through the stern ports, and every object within was | clearly revealed at glance. The man was not there. I drew back the cur tains concealing the bath, but the space was empty; only one of the round 1 ports was partially open, the aperture far too small to admit the passage of a 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, it's contents flung aside. My eyes fell on | White, his mouth open, his face gro- | tesque in it's coating of coal dust. Hanged if he ain't got away, sir" | he blurted out, "but he never went overheard through that port-a eat couldn't ha' done it."
 ''No, he's aboard all right" I coin cided. ''But where? and for what pur- ! pose? There is no knowing what a man in his state of mind may do. Good heavens he could wreck the ship. Get a light, White-take the cabin lantern. Olson and I will have to look behind these doors first, and then we'll 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 amidships. 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, land pick up a couple of marling spikes. I have revolver. Tell MT. | Leayord the situation, and have him keep his eyes open: Better have him warn McCann, and Miss Darlington had best remain near the wheel until we get our hands on this fellow. Hurry back now.n
 Olson and remained motionless our eyes on the black opening leading forward, the dim rays of the lantern falling on the ghastly faces of the two dead men outstretched on the deck. Ii was a grewsome spot, and my heart was beating like 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 a June mornin' up there sir" he announced, squinting about There ain't nobody seen nuthin' of no maniac. reckon yer better let Olson carry the lantern, so you and can be sorter free to grip the chap; we're big l ger than the mate."
 From what I've seen of Olson he'll do his share of the fighting" I an swered, knowing the Swede to be hot tempered, and touchy about his size. However, one will have to carry it."
 Its all right, sir" said Olson quiet ly, I'll 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 it. 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- ton even that he had ever passed that way. The effort to locate Bascom's 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 steel bulkhead, water tight, pierced by single door, to be sure, but this was closed and locked securely. "Is there any communica- tion between the forecastle and the hold, White?" I asked, staring helpless ly at the steel barrier.
 No, sir; the fo'castle is all above 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. I think it wus opened an shut frum the bridge, Mir. Hollis"
 I That is the usual arrangement, but there is slot here for key; still the door is steel and it looks too heavy for any one man to operate"
 leaned over, and looked down into the lighted engineroom at the bottom of the shaft. All could see was a great wheel steadily turning. Masters
 The engineer stepped into view, and peered up into the darkness; he ap- peared burly and shapeless. "That you, captain?'