The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-08-09
% SERIAL STORY
Murder in Convoy

BY A. W. O'eRlEN


scribed the position Of the body a.
he found IT, The deceased was
lving face down on the deck with
MS arms beneath him
L tested the srmpits and found
definite traces Of warmth although
the rest Of the body was cold. quite
cold The armpit warmth. IN view
Of the bodys general coldness. told
me- the deceased had been dead
quite some time less than four
hours. The total absence Of post
norton hvidity made the opinion
definite. The stiffening would in
dieate about two hours. So. put
ting everything together. I can
positively state that the murder
must have occurred at or close 70
/ o'clock or two hours previous
10 my being summoned
Captain De Watt paused and
looked at the three officers with
a tinge Of professional pride.
Your conclusion seems entirely
logical" commented the colonel.
Now did you. by any chance,
think of testing the victim to
determine whether he had been
drinking -
Yes. sir. conducted a test
shortly afterwards in the surgery
of the ships hospital
please describe that test. Doc
tor"
Captain de Watt shifted his po-
sition and began To describe m
minute detail the pathological tests
he conducted to ascertain whether
the victim had been drinking Even
some of the more seasoned officers
in the room were forced to vince
occasionally.
When he had finished his vivid
description, the colonel inquired.
As a result of these tests. were
you able to arrive at any definite
conclusion ,"
Eyes. sir"
what was that conclusion >"
The deceased had positively not
been intoxicated nor was there any
evidence of his having taken any
alcoholic drink for several hours
previously"
Lance Corporal Slater. owner Of
the bayonet that had figured in
the killing, told his story in forth
right fashion. He had been on
sentry duty on "A" deck until mid
night. About 11:2O the ships roll
was sickening him, and he had
taken off his overcoat. hanging his
belt with scabbard and bayonet
attached over the deck railing. In
plain battle dress, he had walked
to the fore end where the lashing
spray seemed To help him. He stood
there for about 80 minutes before
returning to where he had left his
equipment.
Then he noticed the bayonet was
missing. Thinking it had slid
across the deck into the trough
by the rail, he went TO look then
noticed. for the first time. mans
figure in the shadow of lifebost.
The wind was bowling loudly and
apparently the mamie seemed to
be an hadn't noticed the
sentry. Slater, on the other hand,
figured he might have to explain
the lost bayonet by admitting he
hadn't been doing his full rounds
and decided 10 let the bayonet go
until first thing next morning.
i Four roommates of Slater's coll
Elaborated that the sentry had re-
, turned to the cabin shortly after
midnight and had been violently
nauseated all night.
Lieutenant Gregory Rollins was
haggard his usual zip seemed to
have gone from his step as he
marched into the lounge and sa-
luted the court.
You were speaking to the late
Captain Tees about 1870 o'clock
last night, right >" the tough roll
onel spoke with astonishing gentle
. ness.
Yes, sir. was getting a breath
) OF air at the stern after playing IN
the bridge tournament and Cap
( tain Tees came along. jokingly
asking whether l had ever heard
of Lights Out We walked to-
gether TO the nearest door and
stood inside chatting for couple
OF minutes before I left him -
Pardon me. Mr. Rollins" Muir
/. doch interrupted. but were you
standing in the shadow of = life
boat while getting your breath Of
air
Rollins looked at his questioner
: curiously:
No. Captain. walked DIRECTLY
from the door 10 The open space
5 Of A deck at the stern. And
= Captain Tees and walked direct.
ly from thu stern to the door"
Did you notice anybody else on
/, deck at that time >"
!. No"
Aiiey dropped question. You
) were alone at the time Captain
Tees found you ,"
, Rollins paused for Spit sec.
!; ond- i was alone. ne lied
: TO Be Continued)
You help yourself when Won m,