The Holly chieftain., 1923-03-01
expected MIN to attach you. Know


ing that. EatOn-knOwing that, want
to call your attention to the peculiar
ity of our mutual positions on the
train. You had asked for and were
occupying Section Three in the third
sleeper, in Order-I assume and, be-
lieve, correctly-to avoid being put In
the same car with me. In the night.
the second sleeper-the car next in
front Of yours-was cut of from the
train and left behind. That made me
occupy in relation to the forward part
of the train exactly the same position
as you had occupied before the car
ahead Of you had been cut out.
was in Section Three In the third
sleeper from the front"
Eaton stared at Santoine, fasci-
mated; what had been only vague,
half felt. half formed with himself,
was becoming definite, tangible, under
the blind mans reasoning. His hands
closed instinctively. In his emotion.
what do you meanT
you understand already" Santoine
asserted. 1.-The attack made on me
was meant for you. Someone stealing
through the cars from the front to
the rear of the II n and carrying in
his mind the location Of Section Three
in the third car, struck through the
curtains by mistake at me instead Of
you. Who was that, Eaton?'
II don't know" Eaton answered.
"You mean you prefer to shield
him?"
"Shield hIm?"
THAT is what you are doing, Is It
not? For, even If you don't know the
man directly, you know In whose
cause and under whose direction he
murdered Warden-and why and for
whom he Is attempting to murder
you"
Eaton remained silent.
In his intensity. Santoine had lift
ed himself from his pillows. "Who is
that man?' he challenged "And what
is that connection between you and
me which, when the attack found and
disabled me instead of you, told him
that-in spite of his mistake-his re-
suit had been accomplished? told him
that, II was dying, repetition of
the attack against you was unneces-
sary7"
Eaton knew that he had grown very
pale; Harriet must be aware Of the
effect Santoine's words had on him,
but he did not dare look at her now
to see how much she was comprehend
Ing.
II don't understand" He fought to
compose himself.
at Is perfectly plain" Santoine said
patiently. at was believed at first
that had been fatally hurt; 1t was
even reported at one time-I under.
stand-that was dead; only intimate
friends have been informed of my ac-
tual condition. Yesterday, for the
first time. the newspapers announced
the certainty of my recovery; and to.
day an attack is made on you. They
Gid not hesitate to attack you in sight
of my daughter"
But"
| "You are merely challenging my de
ductions win you reply to my ques
tions tell me the connection be
tween us?-who you are7'
mo"
"Come here!"
'Whatw said Eaton.
"Come here-close to me, beside the
bed"
Eaton hesitated, and then obeyed
Bend over!"
Eaton stopped, and the blind mans
| handle CafynI ruNo II,
withdrew.
"Wait' Santolne warned ''If you
do not stay, / shall call help" One
hand went to the bell beside his bed
Harriet had risen; she met Eaton's
gaze warningly and nodded to him to
comply. He bent again over the bed
He felt the blind mans sensitive fin.
gers searching his features, his head
his throat. Eaton gazed at Santoine's
face while the fingers were examining
him; he could see that Santolne was
merely finding confirmation of an i'm.
preston already gained from what he
had been told him about Eaton. San,
toine showed nothing more than this
confirmation; certainly he did not rec
/ oShES lIuloh. Hlole lhdu lulb, FSuIUI
could not tell.
Now your hands," Santoine or.
dered.
Eaton extended one hand and then
the other; the blind man felt over
them from wrists to the tips Of the
fingers: then he let himself sink back
against the pillows, absorbed In
thought.
you may CO." santoine said at last
Cor Eaton asked
'You may leave the room. Blatch.
ford will meet you downstairs"
Santoine reached for the house tel.
ephone beside his bed-receiver and
transmitter on one light bar-and
gave directions to have Blatchford
await Eaton in the hall below.