Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1921-03-11
TRAGEDY OF
STATEROOM 40
By T. w. McKAIL
(copyright.)

and the passengers were supposed to
be asleep. l had not yet turned in,
but was about to do so, and had
taken off my coat, opened the door of
envy 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" exclaimed
someone in tone of suppressed fury.
IF you were a man you would have it
out with me here and now"
"Let 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 1 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 l stood still in my
cabin door, when suddenly a man
clearly for an instant in the lights
from within.
l had not recognized the voice when
raised in anger, but now 1 knew the
young fellow, and was sure that in the
short conversation had overheard he
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 a Mr.. Ire
fusis, who was apparently engaged to
very pretty girl--a cousin of both
the young men-on board with her
mother and a little sister.
Mr.. Sevierw I said, as he went
past, apparently without seeing me.
He turned short around. 1t must have
been a 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, ''is there
an empty stateroom on board that l
can occupy after this?"
"Why? Is there anything wrong
with No. 1872"
1.-THE only thing which is wrong is
that can't possibly share it with Mr..
Trefusis," he said. "We have had |
very serious disagreement"
He was off like shot. A few min
utes 1 waited, expecting him back;
but he did not come. Perhaps, after
all, the two ex-friends had patched up
their dispute, 1 concluded.
How long I slept 1 did not know.
1t might have been, as far as l could
tell, two minutes or two hours.
"For Heavens sake Captain Bruce,
open the door," said mans voice. 1t
was Sewer back again.
"What's the matter now, Mr.. Sc
vier?' inquired impatiently.
. "Murders the matter" he answered
in a strange;. cold voice. 49,:
"What do you mean?" 1 sternly de
nanded.
81 mean that Arthur Trefusis has
been murdered He's lying dead in
otir-in his stateroom." -
1 started toward the door, and Sc
vier followed, then stopped abruptly.
knew his thought and answered 1t.
Il must ask you to remain here" l
said. with the first officer. for whom
shall now send, while go below"
Within the space of three or four
minutes. 1 had Hamilton with him,
lad given word or two of explana-
olanation, and bad myself gone in
search of Berkmyre, the ships doc
or.
Together we went to the stateroom,
70. 49, Face downward on the lower
,erth Trefusis was lying.
Berkmyre at once began his exam
nation, while 1 stood by. The poor
elbow was quite dead, and must have
cen for nearly an hour. There
ould be no question of suicide, as the
low had been struck from behind, ;
nd with such sudden force as in all 1
reliability to fling him forward into
is present position. Altogether APP t
earances were very black against
evier. '
He started up at our entrance. Tire
nsis is dead, 1 suppose? There's no
oubt of that?" he exclaimed, his eyes q
n the doctor. c
'He is dead" answered Berkmyre.
TELL me exactly what happened o
fter you went below, Mr.. SEWER" 1 Il
emanded.
Nothing happened" he answered, W
fter a moments pause, except that q
went to the stateroom, found the b
Dor closed. and walked in without b
hooking. l wasn't exactly In the b
God for ceremony. There was light b
the room. and l saw Trefusis lying
/ his berth with most of his clothes L
/. He didn't move or look up, and "
dn't speak to him. Vi
1t was not until I discovered that fe
e thing that l had gone into the a:
80 10