The Glenwood post., 1923-02-22

'You Understand Already" santoine
Asserted.
what he was going to say, Eaton re-
considered and kept silent.
"You were going to say something
about that telegram in cipher?" San
tome asked.
NO" Eaton denied.
81 think you were; and 1 think that
a few minutes ago when l said you
were not surprised by the attempt
made today to run you down, you
We're also going to speak of it; for
that attempt makes clear the meaning
of the telegram. Its meaning was not
clear to me before, you understand.
1t said only that you were known and
followed. 1t did not say why you
were followed I could not be certain
of that; there were several possible
reasons why you might be followed
even that the one who was follow
ing might be someone secretly inter
ested In preventing you from an at
tack on ME. Now. however, I know
that the reason you feared the man
who was following was because you
expected him to attack 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
S1eepar in ordar-I oScurpa and 7 he-
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 off 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. I
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 mean?"
"You understand already" Santoine
asserted. "The attack made on me
was meant for you. Someone stealing
through the cars from the front to
the rear of the train 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?
81 dent know" Eaton answered.
'You mean you prefer to shield
himY'
"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 MANI" 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-ln spite of his mistake-his re-
suit had been accomplished? told him
that, if ! was dying. repetition of
the attack against you was unneces-
sary?'
Eaton knew that he had grown very
pale; Harriet must be aware of the
effect Santone's words had on him
hItt bn IiI Of
t. see how much she was comprehend
ing.
81 don't understand" He fought to
compose himself
at is perfectly plain" Santoine sale
| patiently. ut was believed Mt 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
did not hesitate to attack you in sigh
of my daughter"
'But-"
"You are merely challenging my de
| ductlons VIII you reply to my ques
Hons?-tell me the connection be
tween us?-who you areT'
mo"
"Come here,"
"WhatY" said Eaton.
"Come here-close 10 me, beside tn,
bed"
Eaton hesltated, and then obeyed.
"Bend overv
Eaton stopped, and the blind mani
hands seized him. Instantly Eatoi
withdrew. -
"WaitH Santolne warned. "If yo,