I could sound no alarm on the Southern Queen for Throckmartin! Conviction of my appalling helplessness was complete.

The ensemble of the vessel from captain to cabin boy was, to put it conservatively, average.

None, I knew, save Throckmartin and myself had seen the first apparition of the Dweller.

Had they witnessed the second?
I did not know, nor could I risk speaking, not knowing.

And not seeing, how could they believe?
They would have thought me insane--or worse; even, it might be, his murderer.
I snapped off the electrics; waited and listened; opened the door with infinite caution and slipped, unseen, into my own stateroom.