The Dolores star., 1923-05-18
Copyright by Little. Brown and Company
CHAPTER xXlll-Continued.

SfrNr GfN
10
"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 wait 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 so calm
ly. he was resolved that no one who
had shared Knowingly in them should
go unpublished. But now he heard the
noise made by approach of Eatons
Captors. As SantOine stood listening
the sounds without became coherent
10 him.
''They have taken OvertOn, Avery"
he commented. "Of course they have
taken no one else. shall tell those
in charge of him he is not the one
they are to hold~prisoner but that l
have another for them here"
The blind man heard no answer
from Avery. Those having Overtun
in charge seemed to be coming into
the house; the door opened and there
were confused sounds.
Then Santolne heard his daughters
voice in half cry. half sob of hope
less appeal TO him. Harriet ran to
him; he felt her cold, trembling fingers
clasping him and beseeching him.
"Fathert Father! They say-they
say-they will"
He put his hands over hers, clasp
ing hers and pattlng it. MY dear"
he said, 81 thought you would wait
for me; told you to wait"
He heard others coming into the
house now; and he held his daughter
iesde him as he faced them.
who is in charge .e?" he de
manded.
The voice of one of those who had
Just come in answered him. Il. sir
l am the chief Of police"
81 wish to speak to you; 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. Wait! Wait" he direct
ed. as he heard exclamations and
CALCULATIONS to correct him. Il do not
mean that you have mistaken who he
is. He is Hugh Overton, know it is
because he is Hugh Overton that I
say what l do"
SantOiI.e 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; there! Everything is right. l
have not been able to explain to you.
and l cannot take time now; but you,
at least, will take my word that you
have nothing to fear for hlm-noth-
lng!"
He heard her gasp with incredulIty
and surprise; then she drew back
rlpm him. staring at him. she breathed
anep with relief and cIasped him, sob
bing. He still held her, as the hail
was cleared and the footsteps of those
carrying Overton went up the stalrs {:
then, knowing that she wished to roi-
low them. he released her She drew
away. then Clasped his hand and
kissed it; as she did so, she suddenly
stiffened and her hand tightened on
his spasmodically.
a1-a ba5 rn,po into II
and he heard another voice-a wom-
ans, which he recognized as that of
the stenOgrapher. Miss Davis.
"Where is he? Hugh! Hugh /,
What have you done to him? Mr..
Santoinel Mr.. Santoine, Where is
hef'
The blind man Strengthened. holding
his daughter to him; there was anxi-
ETY., horror, love in the voice he heard :;
Harriet's perplexity was great as his
own.
as that you, Mise DavIs?" he In
quired.
"Yes; yes ,ne girl repeated.
1Where is-Hugh. Mr.. Santune?"
"You do not understand" the voice
of a young man broke in on them.
'Pm afraid I don't" Santoine said
quietly.
''She IS Hugh's sister, Mr.. Santoine
she is Edith Overton."
Edith Overton? And who are Won?
'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 and answer in
'he hall then he opened the door into
the library and held 1t for the police
chief to enter.