Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1943-12-17
CHAPTER XIV


mighty threshing of foaming water,
Sam Chatfeld. impaled upon the
cruel weapon, swordfsh and all
sank below into the depths of the sea.
We stared Mortified from the rock
ing launch at the spot where they
sank. For some moments huge bill
lowing masses of bubbles streaked
with blood came boiling up to the
surface. Finally even these ceased.
and the dancing. sparkling waters OF
a blue sea held no sign Of what had
happened.
Rogers accompanied Dwight and
Reed Barton that afternoon when
they went solemnly into the lounge
to break the news. The rest Of Vi
were purposely occupied with get.
ting the launch slowed on deck and
preparing to weigh anchor, for we
were, Of course. returning immedi-
ately to Mazatlan. Dwight came
oat at last, followed by Rogers and
Reed Barton. The latter two joined
+" n the rail. while Dwight walked
slowly forward to the bridge.
"Getta took it very hard" Rog-
commented. as if making a re-
report. In fact, she went to
+ c1s 1t was all that Margaret
ana Elsa could do to quiet her. Mar
garet gave her a sleeping powder.
and she'll probably soon be asleep"
Shortly after we got under way.
Elsa came out on deck and we well
coined her at the rail. Rogers asked
after Berta.
She's gone to sleep" was the
calm answer.
Should you like to take turn
about the deck, Elsa?" inquired
Reed Barton, solicitously. Sort of
walk things off a Bit"
mo, thank you, Reed. I'd rather
stand here with the three Of you. I
don't want to be alone; when I'm
0lOIlC i lliIlh lOO IIluIli.
Our conversation drifted into idle
speculation as to how far off shore
we were. when we would reach Ma
zatlan--trifing but diverting small
talk which ignored the tragedy Of
the early afternoon.
We came abreast the harbor en-
trance and into smoother going; the
yacht ceased TO roll in the long
swells. Something was on Rogers
mind. 1t was quite obvious. now
that had learned to recognize his
moods.
Barry" he said speculatively.
could this afternoons tragedy have
been entirely an accident, do you
think"
ut couldn't have been anything
else. An accident, you know, may
have many purely coincidental fac
tors in 1t, but they all click in Sc
quence. That's what constitutes an
accident. How else, except by ac-
cident, would a swordfish stab q
man to DEATH"
II don't mean the swordfsh's part
in it," he said. THAT, Of course. Is
quite accidental. But could 1t have
been an accidental factor in the Sc
quence you speak Of for the chair
To break?"
1T did break"
Eyes, / know, but
You're wondering II someone
could have tempered with the chair
with the expectation of causing an
accident"
Exactly"
"Well-perhaps.'
"Of course it's an idea that re-
quires exploring. But there's a prac-
tical side to it; was or was not the
seat tempered within And can we
determine at this time whether II
was or not? Let's 60 see."
Without waiting for my reply Rog-
ers walked aft to the launch which
was slowed In Its cradle. We paused
beside It in the dusk.
Have you a flashlight, Barry?"
I'm get one"
When returned, Rogers had
climbed inside and now waited near
the broken seat. He took the fash
light and snapped II on and began
. survey Of the swivel mechanism.
Both Of the chairs were new; Dwight
had had them installed just before
we left Los Angeles, especially for
swordfshing.
II can re-assemble the mocha
nism." Rogers remarked after some
tinkering. If you'll hold the light
for me, Barry"
He gave 1t to me and | directed
the rays while he fitted together
the several parts. He soon had il
complete, except for a nut.
III I had that" he said, begin.
ming to look about for the missing
nut, II could re-mount the seat.
Let me take the hashlight." | gave
II to him and he searched carefully
all about the spot Before he had
finished he had covered the entire
interior of the launch for the miss.
ing nut. II can re-mount the seat
as it Is, think" he said. coming
back, but II can't be made to hold
securely"
well, isn't that what you want
70 prove7" / asked.
Eyes, I suppose II is. Barry. Let's
set II back on the standard"
am not much OF q mechanic,
but Rogers had demonstrated that
a ..