The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-23
THE AFTER HOUSE
A Story of Love. Mystery and Private Yacht
BY MARY ROBERTS RINEHART
Cepy-tghr 1913, BY rhs Mcclure PubEenfisr, lac.
Cepvtkh, 1914. BY Mary Rsbs,t, Rf.AAs>s.
AIRY ROBERTS RINEHART

Vail Tried tu get Turner tu tied ana
failed. He believed that Rnrns had
called the captain The captain mad
ordered him 10 the deck. and there had
been furious qunrrei He felt III by
that time. and when he went ON watch
at midnight Burns was uncertain
| about leaving him. He was not in
toxicated. he maintained. until after
half-past I. He was able to strike
the bell without difficulty. and spoke.
each time he went aft. to Charlie
Jones. who was at the wheel
| After that. however. be suddenly
felt strange. He thought he had been
doped and told the helmsman so. Tie
asked Jones to strike the bell for him
and. going up on the foreca> head.
lay down on the boards and fe,, asleep.
He did not waken until he heard six
bells struck-3 o'clock-and before he
had fully reused l had called him.
Then" | said. when the lookout
saw you with the ak you were replac-
ing it,"
Yes"
The lookout says you were not on
deck between 2 and o'clock"
How does he know? was asleep"
"You had threatened to get the cap
tain
Il had revolver. | didn't need to
use an AK.
Much as | disliked the man l was
inclined to believe his story. although
thought he was keeping something
back. leaned forward.
Singleton" said. IF you didn't do
it-and | want to think you did uot-
who did,"
He shrugged his shoulders
I'VE have women aboard We ought
, to know what precautions to take"
II wasn't the only man on deck that
night Burns was about, and he had
quarrel with the Hansen woman.
| Jones was at the wheel too Why
don't you lock up ,Tones:''
We are all under suspicion" | ad-
mitted. But you had threatened the
captain"
~ never threatened the girl or Mr..
! Vail"
| | had no answer to this. and we both
fell silent Singleton was the first to
| speak.
How are you going to get back?
| The men can sail II course. but who is
, to lay it out Turner? No Turner ever
| knew anything about ship but what
| it made for him"
Turner is sick. Look here Single
| ton, you want TO get back as much as
We do or more. Wouldn't you be will
! ling to lay a course if you were taken
out once day: Burns is doing it, but
he doesn't pretend to know much about
it. and-we have the bodies
! But he turned ugly again and refused
: to help unless he was given his free
dom. and that | knew the crew would
not agree to.
You'll he sick enough before you
get back" be snared
With the approach of night our Wig.
lance was doubled There was no
thought of sleep among the crew. aud
with the twilight there was distinct
return of the terror of the morning
Gathered around the wheel. the crew
listened while Jones read evening
prayer Retween the two houses.
where the deck was roped off. Miss
Lee WIS alone. pacing hack and for
ward. her head bpnt. her arms dropped
listiesSly
The wind had gone. and the sails
hung loose over our heads. | stood by
the port rail Although my back was
toward Miss Lee. | WAS conscious of
her every movement. and SO | knew
when she stopped under the rope and
moved lightly toward the starboard
rail
Quick as she was | was quicker
There was still light enough to see her
face as she turned when | called to
her:
Miss Lee. you must not leave the
rope"
Must netT'
81 am sorry to seem arbitrary 1t is
for your own safety
| was crossing the deck toward her
rs | spoke. ! knew what she was 60