of the spare
canvas be used to erect a shelter on the after deck, and this was done.
The rain by that time was driving steadily--a summer rain without wind.
The men seemed glad to have occupation, and, from that time on, the
tent which they erected over the hatchway aft of the wheel was their
living and eating quarters. It added something to their comfort: I was
not so certain that it added to their security.

Tuner was violent that day. I found all four women awake and dressed,
and Mrs. Turner, whose hour it was on duty, in a chair outside the
door. The stewardess, her arm in a sling, was making tea over a
spirit-lamp, and Elsa was helping her. Mrs. Johns was stretched on a
divan, and on the table lay a small revolver.

Clearly, Elsa had told the incident of the key. I felt at once the
atmosphere of antagonism. Mrs. Johns watched me coolly from under
lowered eyelids. The stewardess openly scowled. And Mrs. Turner rose
hastily, and glanced at Mrs. Johns, as if in doubt. Elsa had her back
to me, and was busy with the cups.

"I'm afraid you've had a bad night," I said.

"A very bad night," Mrs. Turner replied stiffly.

"Delirium?"

"Very marked. He has talked of a white figure--we cannot quite make it
out. It seems to be Wilmer--Mr. Vail."

She had not opened the door, but stood, nervously twisting her fingers,
before it.

"The bromides had no effect?"

She glanced helplessly at the others. "None," she said, after a moment.

Elsa Lee wheeled suddenly and glanced scornfully at her sister.

"Why don't you tell him?" she demanded. "Why don't you say you didn't
give the bromides?"

"Why not?"

Mrs. Johns raised herself on her elbow and looked at me.

"Why should we?" she asked. "How do we know what you are giving him?
You are not friendly to him or to us. We know what you are trying to
do--you are trying to save yourself, at any cost. You put a guard at
the companionway. You rail off the deck for our safety. You drop the
storeroom key in Mr. Turner's cabin, where Elsa will find it, and will
be obliged to acknowledge she found it, and then take it from her by
force, so you can show it later on and save yourself!"

Elsa turned on her quickly.

"I told you how he got it, Adele. I tried to throw it--"

"Oh, if you intend to protect him!"

"I am rather bewildered," I said slowly; "but, under the circumstances,
I suppose you do not wish me to look after Mr. Turner?"

"We think not"--from