The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-11-23

Copyright 1906
(Continued.)


He thought he was heir to her for
tune. When he found that she had
left it with Mr. Knapp and nae. in
trust for the boy, his rage was fright
full TO see. Before he had time to put
any Of his wicked thoughts into action
! took the boy to my home, thinking
that there / could keep him in safety.
Mr.. Knapp pooh-poohed my fears, and,
when Mr.. Lane made a demand for
the child, was in favor Of giving him
up. The father is the one to care
for the boy, he said. and washed his
hands Of the whole matter"
Then Mr. Knapp had nothing to do
with the affair, one way or the other?"
"Oh, no-nothins at all l believe,
though, that Henry did use his name
with the police, to deter them from in
terfering with our plans"
| remembered Detective Coogan' s
words, and kenw that she was correct
IL this supposition.
Mr.. Lane she continued, threat
ened legal proceedings. But, knowing
his own past and knowing that knew
something of it, tso, he dared not be-
gin them Mr.. Knapps feelings in the
matter had made me unwilling to keep
the boy in my house, but at first [
thought it the best way OF protecting
him, and had him with me. Then one
night the house was broken into and
two men were discovered in the room
where the boy usually slept. | had
taken him to my own bed that night,
for he was ailing, and so he escaped.
The alarm was raised before they
found him. and the men fed. Mr..
Knapp was confident that they were
ordinary breakers, but l knew
better. l dared keep the boy there no
longer, and called Henry Wilton to as
sist me in making him safe. He found
a suitable house for the boy and hired
men to guard it. But after one ex-
perience in which t.ie place was at
tackled and almost carried by storm,
Henry thought it better to hide the
boy and watch the enemy The rest
you know"
Heavins a sigh as of relief. she went
on:
l tried to have Mr.. Knapp take steps
to locI i'm up But Mr.. Knapp could
not h EVE that his brother was so
wickG- sls to wish to take the life Of
his owl child. | think he was fearful
of a scandal in which the relationship
should become known. But there was
a time, a few weeks ago, when l was
near squirting Mr.. Knapp to action. 1t
was at the time Of his trip to Virginia
City. Mr. Lane came to the house
while | was away and scared the ser
wants into fits with his threats and
curses. Luella had the courage and
tact to face him and get him out of the
house and l telegraphed for Mr..
Knapp"
II remember the occasion, though
/ didn't know what was going on
We'll. Mr.. Knapp was very angry,
and had a long talk with Lane. He
told me that the creature cried and
pleaded for forgiveness and promised
amendment for the future. And Mr..
Knapp believed him. Yet that very
night you were assailed with Luella
in Chinatown"
The truth flashed on me. The
eroans and cries behind the locked
door in Doodridge Knapp's Office. the
voices which were like to one man
pleading and arguing with himself,
were all explained.
Il think the assault was something
of an accident" she continued; "or,
rather, it was more the doing Of Ter
rill than. OF Lane
What was the cause Of Terrill's
enmity?" l asked. He seemed to take
a hearty personal interest in the case
for hired man"
For one thing. a family interest.
think he is son of Lanes early
years. For another, he had a violent
personal quarrel with Henry over
some matter, and you have had tho
benefit Of the enmity. But l don't
think you'll hear of him again-or
Meeker either. They will be in toe
much Of hurry to leave the state"
At her last words we we're at the
wharf, and landed free from fear.
An hour later reached my lodg-
tngs, sore with fatigue and half-dead
for want of sleep.