lockers in
great confusion, but the crew had left food enough of one sort or
another to satisfy our immediate needs. There was an awful task before
us, and I explained it to Helen. We must consign those dead bodies to
the sea. She shuddered at the thought, but, like an obedient child,
tried to help me. How I managed to encase those silent forms in canvas I
hardly know, but I did, and got them to the side of the ship. Then I got
my prayer book and read the blessed burial service, while Helen looked
on in troubled wonder. Then came the hardest task of all, but it was
done, and the bodies, one after the other, fell with a great splash into
the still sea. I had thought to bind heavy weights to the feet, and they
sank at once, and Helen and I were left quite alone. I am writing this
with great difficulty, for we are dying--dying of thirst. Why I write I
do not know. There is no water on board. The sailors, after filling
their casks from the great casks in the hold, left the water running.
When we sought to draw there was not a drop left. There is a change
coming over Helen. She sometimes looks at me strangely. She seems almost
shy. I wonder what it is. Is memory coming back? Or has she learned that
she is a woman and I a man? But she is not for me. There is John Bruce,
and I vowed to take her safely to him, and I shall----. Mother,
good----. I can't write more. I see that the end is....

V.

The writing in the little water-soaked book became entirely illegible.
Indeed, the last few lines were very indistinct, and showed the failing
of mental and physical strength. I sat staring at the yellow page and
then looked up at Judson. He was gazing intently at me.

"Well, go on; go on," he said impatiently.

"That's all," said I.

He seized the book from my hands, and turned the leaves feverishly.
"Yes, yes. That is all. Why man, we're not much wiser than we were.
We've got something, but we haven't solved the mystery of the headless
skeletons."

"No, nor are we likely to," said I.

"Not likely to? We must!" said Judson, in a sharp, strained voice. He
seemed to be much excited. I looked at my watch.

"It's Sunday morning," said I, and luckily Sunday, I thought. Judson
wouldn't be good for much in a trial after such an evening as this. As
for myself, I was tired and hungry, and I said so.

"So am I," said Judson, dropping the excited air, but with an effort.
"Sit still a moment." He came back soon with a tray on wh