The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-05-25
CHAPTER xxIII-contlnued.


"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go unpublished.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
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 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
clasping him and beseeching him.
Father! Father! 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 here?" he de-
manded.
The voice of one of those who had
just come in answered him. Il, sir
/ am the chief of police"
II wish to speak to you; will not
keep you long. May l 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 it is not necessary to
guard him. Waltz Wait!' 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 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 1 cannot take time now; but you
at least, will take my word that yor
have nothing to fear for him-noth
ingi''
He heard her gasp with incredibly
and surprise; then she drew bach
from him, staring at him, she breathe(
deep with relief and clasped him, sob
bling. He still held her, as the hal
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 ant
kissed 1t; as she did so, she suddenly
stiffened and her hand frightened OF
his spasmodically.
Someone else had come into the hal
and he heard another voice-a WON
ans, which he recognized as that O
the stenographer, Miss Davis.
where is he? Hugh! Hugh
What have you done to him? MI
Santoine! Mr.. SantOine! Where i
hep
The blind man Strengthened, holdin;
his daughter to him; there was anxi
ETY., horror, love in the voice he heard
Harriet's perplexity was great as hi
own.
rs that you, Miss DavisT he in
quired.
''Yes; yes" the girl repeated
"Wbere is-Hugh, Mr.. Santoine"
'You do not understand" the vote
of young man broke in on them.
'Tm afraid I DON'T" Santoine sal
quietly.
"She is Hugh's sister, Mr.. Santoin
she is Edith Overton."
edith Overton? And who are you?
"You do not know me. My name
Lawrence Hillward."
Santoine asked nothing more for tn
moment. His daughter had left his side
He stood an instant listening to tn
confusion of question and answer Il
the hall; then he opened the door int
the library and held it for the polio
chief fO enter