The Glenwood post., 1923-04-19


Information which would let him save
something from the fortune he'd lost
through Latrons manipulations. The
circumstances, motive everything was
ready to convict Overton; 1t needed
very little more to complete the case
against him."
$50 1t was completed"
"But after Overton was convicted.
he was not allowed to be punished,
SIR"
Santoine's lips Strengthened in con-
tempt "He was not allowed to be
punished!'
"Overton didn't actually escape, you
know, Mr. Santoine - that Is, he
couldn't have escaped without help;
Latron was thoroughly frightened and
he wanted 1t carried through and
Overton executed; but some of the
others rebelled against this and saw
that Overton got away; but he never
knew he'd been helped. understand
1t was evidence Of Latron's inslstence
on the sentence being carried out that
Warden found. after his first sus-
picions had been aroused, and that
put Warden in position to have La
tron tried for his life, and made 1t
necessary to kill Warden"
"Latron is dead. of course, Avery.
or fatally wounded?"
Hes dead. Over-Eaton, that is,
sir-hit him last night with three
Shots"
LAS housebreaker engaged In
rifling my safe, Avery"
"Yes, sir. Latron was dying when
they took him out of the car last
night. They got him away, though;
put him on the boat he'd come on. I
saw them in the woods last night.
They'll not destroy the body or make
away with 1t. sir, at present"
"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 kepts 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
10 ask In the bitterness he felt ut his
blindness having been used to make
him an unconscious agent In these
things of which Avery spoke 80 calm
/ ly, he was resolved that no one who
had shared knowingly in them should
go unpunished. But now he heard the
noise made by approach Of Eaton's
cnptors. As Santoine stood listening,
the sounds without became coherent
to 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 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 half cry, half sob of hope
less appeal to him. Harriet ran to
him; he felt her cold. trembling fingers
clayping him and beseeching him.
"Fatherl Father! They say-they
say-they will"
He put his hands over hers, clasp
ing hers and patting 1t. my dear"
he said II thought you would wait
for me; told you to wait"
He heard others coming into the
house now and he held his daughter
beside him as he faced them.
"Who Is in charge hereT he de-
manded.
The voice Of one of those who had
Just come In answered him. sir
I am the chief Of police"
II wish to speak to you; will not
keep you long. May I ask you to have
your prisoner taken to the room he
occupied here in my house and given
attention by 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, I know; 1t Is
because he is Hugh Overton that l
say what do"
Santoine 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. I