The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-03-12
CHAPTER xIv.-tcontirued).

assertion? The circumstances of the
case and the nurses lie were suffi-
cient alibi.
stephen Ruthen had even looked for
ward 10 the date of Lathom's trial with
sort of fierce impotence, anxious
for The suspense TO end. telling him.
self that 1t was impossible Lathom
could be found guilty-impossible.
The man must be acquitted; and his
silence-a deep wrong and sin against
Lathom though 1t was-yould have
saved Olive. Olive must never know
what in her madness she had done:
the world that would judge her with
judgment different from his must
never know. At all costs he must
shield her. save her. II was not as
though any jury could convict Lathom
on the evidence. Stephen told himself
vehemently.
And yet IL Lathom were to get clear
away tonight-were not brought up TO
| trial-his innocence could never.be es-
tablished. In his heart Stephen Ru-
| then hoped fiercely that Lathom might
be recaptured: 1t would he the best
Tor Lathour in the end, for with the
trial must come acquittal. He refused
10 consider any other possibility: he
told himself there was no other posi-
bilify.
! How could he. Stephen. speak the
word that would doom Olive. his be-
| loved. TO all that the revelation of his
secret must bring? lie would rather
sin 10 the end against Lathom than
speak it-this man who would not
have desiated by the merest hairs
breadth from tn enarrow path of hon.
or TO spare or save himself.
Whilst these thoughts were conflict.
| ing in his mind Thornton was speak
ing rapidly.
I've got my car in the lane.
don't know II the best thing wonldn':
be TO make a bolt for IL back along
the way came. Mr. Ruthen, you
must lend Lathom one of your over
coats: in these light tweeds he's con
spicuous. Come. we've wasted toe
much time already. and every moment
counts
They went into the hail. At the foo
Of the stairs Hilda stood listening 70
IN instant. Olives door was shut
no sound from within.
MIR. Ruthen. yon won't mind II W,
run off with this coat of yours ?
Thornton took 1t down from the stan,
as he spoke. Hurry. jack"
Latf ON slipped into it. and me
chemically put en- the black soft fel
lat that his fiiend held ont to him.
Thornton stared at him for me
nent.
BY George" he exclaimed. excited
~. as a sudden thought struck him.
Freddy tore OF the white silk mu
fer he was wearing and wrapped
round Lathom's neck, letting one en-
lang down over the coat. He snatch
ed a stick from The stand and thru:
II into the Others hand.
You're Ire blind man, MIR. Gfale
: In dim light you're the blind orgal
: list 20 the life.' he whispered. Hu
iielly lie pulled the coat collar u
about Lathom's ears and crushed III
, wideawake Lat down over his bro,
stcop a tit-why. lis a transform
ton, That's the way ont for II
cont you SEE? For the next ha
our sou'ie Grale. the blind man"
In the dim light of the hall Lathom
=. figure In this borrowed attire was CT
!, tainly like that Of Mr.. Grale. ey,
hs- hA
>. biance. The blind organist affected
20 somewhat clerical cut In his dress.
Almost IL the words were spok
o. Eilda cried. In a low, warning yoic
y. Listen. What Is that:"
nv Hurried. stealthy footsteps cor
family he heard passing round by /
a side of the house. and other footste
a. ia, Their away. coming up the ps
sy towards the ta,l door.
The police." mattered Thornt,
with q groan. And one Of them &c
he round 10 the back to cut OFF esca
err that way. Back and front b.
as guarded"
Dismay had fallen on the II,
Ter s,oup. Only to Stephen Ru,hen
mt this climax bring almost sense of
De- lief. Since Lathom's arrest he |
Iur moi hnu~n a uiosiien.s peace-Mu
rot know a moments peace until
i'm suspense was ended with the trial 1
hit &C gnittal OF the man he was injnr
me 20 deeply by his silence. IL Lath
ext succeeded in getting away. he
ilk hin self off from the one chance
clearing himself.
ESQ An uncomfortable sob broke n
We Iiiida. She swayed unsteadily: tn
footsteps sounded to her like the H
ak of their las, hope Lathom caught
lew I'm his arms.
Nerve yourself. Miss Ruthen.
yer mustn't break down. Wen save
llaI yet" cried Thornton. excite
II. Jack. there's only one bare chal
eve and IL depends on your carrying
OF through with bold front-but Il
In a chance. Mr.. Rnthen. you'll b
M n