Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-05-24
CHAPTER xxllI--contlnued.
wright By Lissis. Brown and Company

"In other words, you instructed
them not to do so until you found out
whether Overton could be handed over
for execution and the facts regarding
Latron kept secret, or whether some
other course was necessary"
The blind man did not walt for any
answer TO. this; he Strengthened sud
denly, gripping the arms of his chair,
and got up. There was more he wished
to ask In the bitterness he felt at his
blindness having been used to make
him an unconscious agent In these
things OF which Avery spoke 81 calm
ly, he was resolved that no one who
had shared knowingly in them should
90 unpublished. But now he heard the
noise made by approach of Eaton's
captors. As Santoine stood listening,
the sounds without became coherent
10 him.
"They hive taken Overton, Avery"
he commented. "Of course they have
taken no n else. / shall tell those
In charge Of him he is not the n
they are to hold prisoner but that /
have another for them here"
The blind man heard no answer
from Avery. Those having Overton
In charge seemed to be coming into
the house; the door opened and there
were confused sounds.
Then Santoine heard his daughters
voice In a half cry, half sob Of hope
less appeal TO him. Harriet ran to
him he felt her cold. trembling fingers
clasping him and be%seeching him
"Fatherl Fatherl They say-they
say-they will"
He put his hands over hers, clasp
Ing hers and pattlng II. MY dear"
he said, II thought you would wait
for me; l told you to walt"
He heard others coming into the
house now; and he held his daughter
beside him as he faced them.
"Who Is In charge here?" he de-
manded.
The voice of one of those who had
just come In answered him. 81, sir
! am the chief OF police
II wish to speak to you; I will not
keep you long. May | ask you to have
your prisoner taken to the room he
occupied here In my house and given
attention by a doctor? You can have
my word that 1t is not necessary TO
guard him. Watt Waltw he direct
ed, as he heard EXPLANATIONS and
CALCULATIONS to correct him. Il do not
mean that you have mistaken who he
is. He Is Hugh Overton, / know 1t is
because he is Hugh Overton that !
say what l do"
Santolne abandoned effort TO sepa-
rate and comprehend or to try to an
swer the confusion of charge and
questioning around him. He con-
cerned himself, at the moment, only
with his daughter; he drew her TO
him, held her and said gently, "There,
dear; therel Everything is right. /
have not been able to explain to you,
and / cannot take time now; but you,
at least, Will take my word that you
have nothing TO fear for ~him-noth-
lngr"
He heard her gasp with i~ncredulity
and surprise; then she drew back
from him, staring at him. she breathed
deep with relief and clasped him, sob
bling. He still held her, as the hall
was cleared and the footsteps of those
carrying Overton went up the stairs
then. knowing that she wished to tot
low them. he released her. She drew
away, then clasped his hand and
kissed 1t; as she did so, she suddenly |
stiffened and her hand frightened on
his s~pasmodically.
Someone else had come into the hall
and he heard another voice-a wom-
ans, which he recognized as that of
the s~tenographer, Miss Davis.
"Where is her Hughi Hughl
What have you done to him7 Mr..
Santoinel Mr.. Santoinel Where is
hep
The blind man Strengthened. holding
his daughter to him there was anxi-
ETY., horror, love in the voice he heard; |
Harriet's perplexlty was great as his
own.
as that you, Miss DavIsf" he In
Quired.
Eyes; yes,' the girl repeated.
"Where is-Hugh, Mr.. S~antolne7"
"You do not understand" the voice
of a young man broke in on them.
"Tm afraid | DON'T" Santoine said
quietly.
"She is Hugh's sister. Mr.. Santoine
she is Edith 0verton."
edith Overflow And who are your
"You do not know me. My name Is
Lawrence Hillward."
Santoine asked nothing more for the
moment. His daughter had left his side.
he stood an instant listening to the
confusion Of question n answer In
the hall then he opened the door into
The library and held II for the police
chief 10 enter.