e doctor from the quarantine
station was called next, and testified to the manner of death. His
testimony was revolting, and bears in no way on the story, save in one
particular--a curious uniformity in the mutilation of the bodies of
Vail and Captain Richardson--a sinister similarity that was infinitely
shocking. In each case the forehead, the two arms, and the abdomen had
received a frightful blow. In the case of the Danish girl there was
only one wound--the injury on the head.

CHAPTER XX

OLESON'S STORY

HENRIETTA SLOANE was called next.

"Your name?"

"Henrietta Sloane."

"Are you married?"

"A widow."

"When and where were you born?"

"Isle of Man, December 11 1872."

"How long have you lived in the United States?"

"Since I was two."

"Your position on the yacht Ella?"

"Stewardess."

"Before that?"

"On the Baltic, between Liverpool and New York. That was how I met
Mrs. Turner."

"Where was your room on the yacht Ella?"

"Off the chartroom."

"Will you indicate it on this diagram?"

"It was there." (Pointing.)

The diagram was shown to the jury.

"There are two bunks in this room. Which was yours?"

"The one at the side--the one opposite the door was Karen's."

"Tell what happened on the night of August 11 and morning of the 12th."

"I went to bed early. Karen Hansen had not come down by midnight. When
I opened the door, I saw why. Mr. Turner and Mr. Singleton were there,
drinking."

The defense objected to this but was overruled by the court.

"Mr. Vail was trying to persuade the mate to go on deck, before the
captain came down."

"Did they go?"

"No."

"What comment did Mr. Singleton make?"

"He said he hoped the captain would come. He wanted a chance to get at
him."

"What happened after that?"

"The captain came down and ordered the mate on deck. Mr. Vail and the
captain got Mr. Turner to his room."

"How do you know that?"

"I opened my door."

"What then?"

"Karen came down at 12.30. We went to bed. At ten minutes to three
the bell rang for Karen. She got up and put on a wrapper and slippers.
She was grumbling and I told her to put out the light and let me sleep.
As she opened the door she screamed and fell back on the floor.
Something struck me on the shoulder, and I fainted. I learned later it
was the axe."

"Did you hear any sound outside, before you opened the door?"

"A curious chopping sound. I spoke of it to her. It came