Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1923-05-30
CHAPTER xxIII-continued.

"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go unpublished.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 Eaton's
captors. 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 !
have another for them here"
The blind man heard no answer
from Avery. Those having Overton
in charge seemed to be coming into
the houses 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
clasping him and beseeching him.
Father! Fatherl They say-they
say-they will"
He put his hands over hers, clasp
ing hers and patting 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
beside him as he faced them.
"Who is in charge hereY' he de-
manded.
The voice of one of those who had
just come in answered him. 81, sir
I am the chief of police"
81 wish to speak to you; 1 will not
keep you long. May 1 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 it is not necessary to
guard him. Wait! Waitl" 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, 1 know; it is
because he is Hugh Overton that 1
say what 1 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; there! 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-
ingi"
He heard her gasp with incredulity
and surprise; then she drew back
from him, staring at him, she breathed
deep with relief and clasped him, sob
bing. 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 it; as she did so, she suddenly
stiffened and her hand frightened on
his spasmodically.
! Someone else had come into the hall
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
keT
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.
SIS that you, Miss Davis" he in
CURED.
Eyes; yes" the girl repeated.
"Where is-Hugh, Mr.. Santoine?"
"You do not understand" the voice
of young man broke In on them.
"Tm afraid DON'T" Santoine said
! quietly.
"She is Hugh's sister. Mr.. Santoine
she Is Edith Overton."
Edith Overton? 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 and answer In
the hall; then he opened the door into
the library. and held it for the police
chief to enter.
CHAPTER XXIV