one past three
Silence ! -- that sickish silence which permeates places of death ! No human sound could be detected -- no sound of any kind , except an uncanny creaking beneath the floor where the old masts rested in their steps , and a gentle swish of water outside the hull . There were two doors from the cabin , each opening into a separate , though parallel , passageway that doubtless led forward to about the same general arrangements we had on the _ Whim _ -- one past three staterooms , through a galley and into the sailors ' quarters ; the other , also past a stateroom or two , but opening to the ice-box room and galley . Both of these doors now swung slightly ajar , at a suspicious angle that almost without doubt told me where the men were crouched , and this rendered my position so inexcusably exposed that swift and vigorous action was the only choice . With finger tightening on the trigger I dashed at the nearer of these , giving it a kick that sent it banging against the wall . The passageway was empty , and thus encouraged I rushed the other door .