The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-19
TO THE L1FEBoATs
CHAPTER VI

died around midday, and by 3 o'clock, summer sunshine bathed the convoy, now sailing the kindly Gulf Stream. Like statues the off, cers and men aboard TT g" stood in formation around the flag craped coffin containing the mur- dered body of Captain Tees. Only the gentle murmur of the ocean, ewishing along the sides of the liner, could be heard.
 But the spectacle of the troop ships, humble freighters and ominouS men-of-war, shuffling like clumsy dancers through zg- saggy quadrille, held no glamor to young Lieutenant Gregory Rollins as he sadly listened to the Anglican padres burial prayer w. Tn the midst of life we are an death"
 Through the sounding of the lonely Last Post and Reveille game the heavy splash of the weighted coffin hitting the sea.
 "Oh God, oh Godl" sobbed Rol- fins through frightened lips. A hand touched his arm, squeezing At gently.
 @You poor, dear boy - I'm Mreadfully sorry!"
 Abruptly he turned his blood ehot eyes from the treacherously Inviting swell that had just swal- lowed the body of his friend. For heveral seconds he stared fiercely Rnto her very soul, then shook his head.
 "ycu couldn't have ... I'm go- Ing crazy I . ."
 She was plainly puzzled. "What nre you talking about, Gregg"
 In reply, he clasped one of her hands on the rail and pressed 1t kantil she felt like screaming. He Baked as he had never talked be- Fore = of Syds grand widowed mother and young sister and his Giancee. Those carefree days at McGill. Of gay episodes on skiing Iweek-ends in the Laurentians. Eheir plans for that first leave in London, blitz or no blitZ.
 It was only hours later, as he nay in his bunk in the lonely cabin, that he found himself won- dering why he hadn't told her of his lie hafore the Court of In- |gestigation, when he had said he nras on the deck that night. The Thought had occurred to him once, but he had dismissed it on the Rrounds that she would think he DRas putting on Rallantry act.
 A is the way with the Atlantic Rn February, the weather had made hnother lightning change in early evening. Cold blasts slipped in with Ehe Florida-like zephyrs and over- boats appeared once more. Within mn hour a sleet-like snow was lash- eng the decks and labored groans were coming from the ocean grey hounds beams. The roll in zig Bagging time became so intense that the bridge tournament was can- eelled for the night.
 Greg was just as glad. He wanted to lie back and think, think, think somewhere in the crazy pattern must be clew that would lead to solution. The murderer or murderers must be etill on the boat. A knock on the door interrupted him.
 It was Henry Miley.
 Te apologized for bursting in but wanted to ask few questions about Tees background in the hope some lead would be found. The old Man, he added, conf1- dentially, seemed sold on the opinion that some soldier had committed the crime, due to the nature of the wound. There might have been some man with a gam bling or personal jealousy motive or
 Nothing doing there, Harry" Rollins rasped. Trees lived clean life and only gambled occa- siOnally for a tenth of a cent In bridge. Now supposing you ask me what you really came to ask me-"
 Harry looked at Rollins sharply.
 "Okay, Greg, if you don't mind