The Mena weekly star., 1919-07-10
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 Copyright by A c. McClurg & Co.
,oontinued From Previous Issue.)

What shall be done with the body? It cannot be left lying exposed here; no one would believe you killed him, and my presence must not be suspect ed"
 "Could it." she suggested, be dropped through the port7n
 She shrank back from touching the ipanimate figure, vet it required the combined efforts of both to force the stiffening body through the porthole. We could distinguish footsteps on the deck above, but these were regular and undisturbed-the slow promenade from rail to rail of the officer on watch. Clearly nothing had been heard or seen to awaken suspicion.
 If you should be questioned tomor- row you had best know nothing I said gravely. q do not think you will be, for surely an attack can be no plan of Estada's. It could gain no advan- tage. The fellow was pillaging on his own account; if he Is missed it will be supposed he fell overheard, and no one will care You are net afraid to remain here aloneT'
 "No; I am not greatly frightened, but shall try and bar the door with a chair. l have no key"
 "Then I'll leave you; half of my watch below must be gone by now. I'll take the fellows knife along, as 1t must not be found here."
 We parted with q clasp of hands, as I opened the stateroom door and slipped out into the cabin. To my sur prise the light over the table had been extinguished, rendering the cabin so black had to actually feel my way forward The lantern must have been put out since then by some confed. crate. After a moment of hesitation found my way across to my own stateroom and pressed open the door.
 The hilt of the knife in my belt at- tracted my attention. and I drew it forth, curious to learn if 1t bore any mark of ownership. My eyes were in- stantly attracted to dark stain on both hilt and blade. I held 1t to the ngnt--it was the stain of blood, and my hands were also reddened by it. In that first instant of horror I hurled the weapon out through the open port into the sea. Blood There had been murder committed on board, and the fellow l had struck down was seeking refuge, endeayoring to find conceal ment following his crime. Ay, but what about the light in the cabin? It had been extinguished after the flee ing fugitive had entered Dorothy's stateroom. Did this mean that the slayer had an accomplice7 If so. then the killing was not the result of a mere personal quarrel amidships, or in the forecastle, but the result of some conspiracy. l thought of San chez, and of Estada's plan to obtain control of the ship. Could this be it's elimination? And was the Spaniard already lying dead in his cabin2
 Nothing came of my thought--only confusion; nor did l dare investigate for fear of becoming more deeply in- volved in the tragedy. No. there was nothing to be done; my safety, and the safety of the girl depended on our apparent ignorance of what had oc- cured. Convincing myself of this, l washed the blood stains from my hands and lay down in the bunk fully dressed to await my call.
 When called I exchanged but few words with LeVere. He went quickly to his room. Nothing of importance occurred during my watch.
 The dawn came cold andngray but with clearing skies. I climbed into the main crosstrees and swept the horizon with glass. Not so much as speck rewarded my efforts, and I descended the ratlines, shouting to the boatswain 10 call the port watch. Watkins came art to the wheel and I sent the fellow thus relieved down into the cabin to rout out LeVere. The two returned to deck together. the negro glancing about curiously without mounting the ladder
 You call senor Estada yet?" he 4NNStAOhCus
 No; l had no orders to do so"
 He tol me call him at daylight. Here you, Armada; go wake up the senor."
 The seaman disappeared, while Le- were crossed the poop deck and stood beside me looking out across the ex- panse of sea.
 Armada emerged from the companion ana stared up at us. shading his mouth With one hand as he spoke.
 He answer nothing, Senor LeVere."
 Was the door locked?'
 It."
 The swine" said LeVere, sT sup pose I'll have to go myself"
 wen go down together, senor," said quietly. "Estada must be sick {; could hear the rumpus Armada Aicked up even on deck here. No man could sleep through that racket"
 CHAPTER XVIII.
 A New Conspiracy.
 ine interior of the cabin appeared resoiate in the gray light of dawn.