But the case was only closed, not locked--Singleton's error.
Armed with the axe, Jones slipped back to the wheel and waited. He
had plenty of time. He had taken his robe from its hiding-place in
the boat, and had it concealed near him with the axe. He was ready,
but he was waiting for another signal. He got it at half-past two.
He admitted the signal and the time, but concealed its nature--I
think it was a shooting star. He killed Vail first, believing it
to be Turner, and making with his axe, the four signs of the cross.
Then he went to the Hansen girl's door. He did not know about the
bell, and probably rang it by accident as he leaned over to listen
if Vail still breathed.
The captain, in the mean time, had been watching Singleton. He had
forbidden his entering the after house; if he caught him disobeying
he meant to, put him in irons. He was without shoes or coat, and
he sat waiting on the after companion steps for developments.
It was the captain, probably, whom Karen Hansen mistook for Turner.
Later he went back to the forward companionway, either on his way
back to his cabin, or still with an eye to Singleton's movements.
To the captain there must have appeared this grisly figure in flowing
white, smeared with blood and armed with an axe. The sheet was worn
over Jones's head--a long, narrow slit serving him to see through,
and two other slits freeing his arms.
Pages:
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206