"It ain't my own idea," he said modestly. "I seen it done once, on
the Argentina. It worked all right for a while, and after a week or
so we lowered the jolly-boat and towed it astern."
I shuddered; but the idea was a good one, and I asked Burns to go
up and get the boat ready.
"We must let the women up this afternoon," I said, "and, if it is
possible, try to keep them from learning where the bodies are. We
can rope off a part of the deck for them, and ask them not to leave
it."
Miss Lee came out then, and Burns went on deck.
The girl was looking better. The exertion of dressing had brought
back her color, and her lips, although firmly set, were not drawn.
She stood just outside the door and drew a deep breath.
"You must not keep us prisoners any longer, Leslie," she said.
"Put a guard over us, if you must, but let us up in the air."
"This afternoon, Miss Lee," I said. "This morning you are better
below."
She understood me, but she had no conception of the brutality of
the crime, even then.
"I am not a child. I wish to see them. I shall have to testify--"
"You will not see them, Miss Lee."
She stood twisting her handkerchief in her hands. She saw Charlie
Jones pacing the length of the cabin, revolver in hand. From the
chartroom came the sound of hammering, where the after companion
door, already locked, was being additionally secured with strips
of wood nailed across.
"I understand," she said finally. "Will you take me to Karen's
room?"
I could see no reason for objecting; but so thorough was the panic
that had infected us all that I would not allow her in until I had
preceded her, and had searched in the clothes closet and under the
two bunks. Williams had not reached this room yet, and there was a
pool of blood on the floor.
She had a great deal of courage. She glanced at the stain, and
looked away again quickly.
"I--think I shall not come in. Will you look at the bell register
for me? What bell is registered?"
"Three."
"Three!" she said. "Are you sure?"
I looked again. "It is three."
"Then it was not my sister's bell that rang. It was Mr. Vail's!"
"It must be a mistake. Perhaps the wires--"
"Mrs. Turner's room is number one. Please go back and ask her to
ring her bell, while I see how it registers."
But I would not leave her there alone. I went with her to her
sister's door, and together we returned to the maids' cabin. Mrs.
Turner had rung as we requested, and her bell had registered "One."