Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1921-02-04
TRAGEDY OF
STATEROOM 40
(Copyrig ht.)
BY T. w. McKAIL.


(Copyright.)
Ii was dark on board the Canada
All lights We're turned out in the
collins and saloons. the deck was de-
serted and the smoking room empty
and the passengers We're supposed to
be asleep. / had not yet turned in,
but was about to do so, and had
taken off my coat, opened the door of
my cabin, and was stepping across the
threshold for a breath of cooler air
(for it was hot August night, when
the sound of angry voices attracted
my attention. You cur y exclaimed
someone in tone of suppressed fury.
IF you We're man you would have it
out with me here and now
'Iet me pass" returned a second
voice. You've had my last word on
the subject. Now I'm done with you
and with it, and I'm going down TO
bed
Hasty footsteps moved across the
deck, and | could hear the clatter of
shoes
[ did not like the quarreling on
board my ship but / considered it no af
fair of mine to interfere between the
parties. The belligerents had gone be-
low, | thought, as ! stood still in my
cabin door. when suddenly man
walked rapidly by his face showing
clearly for an instant in the lights
from within.
L had not recognized the voice when
raised in anger, but now | knew the
young fellow. and was sure that in the
had been the first speaker. He was
one OF a party who had come on
board the day before when we had
sailed from New York. He was a
Canadian by the name of Sewer,
shared a stateroom with Mr. Ire
fusis, who was apparently engaged to
very pretty girl--a cousin of both
the young men-on board with her
neither and little sister.
.sAIr Sevier!" | said. as he went
past, apparently without seeing me.
He turned short around. 1t must have
been surprise to him, thus abruptly
to be accosted, but he answered by
Immediately plunging into a subject
which my appearance on the scene no
doubt suggested.
Captain Bruce" he exclaimed, still
with the suppressed culver of con-
centrated rage in his voice lis there
an empty stateroon on board that /
can occupy after this?'
"Why? Is there anything wrong
with No. 49?"
1.-THE only thing which is wrong is
that I can't possibly share it with Mr..
Trefusis." he said 1--WE have had a
very serious disagreement"
He was off like shot. A few min
utes / waited, expecting him back !;
but he did not come. Perhaps, after
all, the two ex-friends had patched up
their dispute, / concluded.
How long / slept | did not know.
1t might have been, as far as | could
tell, two minutes or two hours.
"For Heavens sake, Captain Bruce.
open the door," said mans voice. 1t
was SEWER UdSk dSdlu.
"What's the matter now, Mr.. Sc
vier?'' inquired impatiently.
Murders the natter he answered
in a strange cold voice.
"What do you mean?'' / sternly de-
manded.
81 mean that Arthur Trefusis has
been murdered. He's lying dead in
our-in his stateroOm."
I started toward the door, and Sc
vier followed, then stopped abruptly.
I knew his thought and answered it.
Il must ask you to remain here L
said, with the first officer, for whom
I shall now send, while | go below
Within the space of three or four
minutes | had Hamilton with him,
haG given word or two of explana-
PLANTATION, and had myself gone in
search of Berkmyre, the ships doc
tor.
Together we went to the stateroom.
No. 40. Face downward on the lower
berth Trefusis was lying.
Berkmyre at once began his exam
nation. while / stood by. The poor
fellow was quite dead, and must have
been for nearly an hour. There
could be no question of suicide. as the
blow had been struck from behind.
and with such sudden force as in all
probability TO fling him forward into
his present position. Altogether APP
pearances were very black against
Sewer.
He started up at our entrance. IRE
fusis is dead, | suppose? There's no
doubt of that?" he exclaimed, his eyes
on the doctor.
ssHe is dead" answered Berkmyre.
"Tell me exactly what happened
after you went below, Mr.. SEWER" I
demanded
Nothing happened" he answered,
after a moments pause, except that
/ went TO the stateroom, found the
door closed. and walked in without
knocking. | wasn't exactly in the
mood for ceremony There was light