And, until they reached a clearer place, well forward, on the starboard side of the ship, they found no trace of anyone.
Cleggett, who was examining this place, suddenly uttered an exclamation which brought the others to him.

He pointed to stains of blood upon the planking; near these stains were marks left by boots which had been gaumed with a yellowish clay.

A revolver lay on the floor.

Cleggett examined it and found that only one cartridge had been exploded.

The stains of blood and the stains of yellow clay made an easily followed trail for some yards to a point about halfway between the bow and stern on the starboard side.
There, in the waist of the vessel, they ceased; ceased abruptly, mysteriously.