Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-10-30
CHAPTER XIX.

There was great dismay at the Pacto-
lus mine when it became known that
Vandeloup was going to leave The only
two who were uufeignedly glad at Vande-
loup's departure were Selma and McIn-
tosh. for these two faithful hearts had
seen with dismay the influence the French
man was gradually gaining over Madame
Midas.
For some time past Mcintosh had not
been satisfied with the character of the
ground in which he had been working, SC
abandoning the shaft he was then in, ne
had opened up another gallery to the west,
at right angles from the place where the
famous nugget had been found. The wash
was poor at first but Mcintosh perse-
vered. having an instinct that he was on
the right track. A few weeks work prov
ed that he was right, for the wash soon
became richer; and as they went farther
on toward the west, there was no doubt
that the long-lost Devils Lead had been
struck This gave Madame Midas a week
ly income of one thousand one hundred
pounds, so she now began to see what a
wealthy woman she was likely to be.
Vandeloup congratulated Madame Mi
das on her luck when he was going away.
and privately determined that he wo I'd
not lose sight of her, as, being a wealthy
woman. and having a liking for him, she
would be of great value He went to Bal
larat. and put up at the Waffle Tree
Hotel, intending to start for the metrop-
oils next morning; but on his way, in
order to prepare Kitty for his coming.
sent a telegram for her, telling her the
train he would arrive by, in order that
she might be at the station TO meet him.
After his dinner he suddenly recolect-
ed that he still had the volume which DIR.
GOllipeck had lent him, So calling cab,
he drove to the residence of that eccentric
individual 70 return it.
When the servant announced NJ. Van
deloup, she pushed him in and suddenly
closed the door after her, as though she
was afraid of some of the doctors ideas
getting away.
Good evening. DOCTOR" said Vandeloup,
laying the book down on the table at
which Gollipeck was seated; I've come
to return you this and say good-by."
"You read this?" he said. laying his
hand on the book good, eh?''
Every good. indeed" returned NJ. Van
deloup, smoothly; so kind of you to have
lent it to me-all those cases quoted were
known to me-"
The case of Odele Blondet, for in.
stance. eh?" asked the old man sharply.
"Yes, / was present at the trial." re-
piled Vandeloup, quietly; ''the prisoner
Octave Braulard, was convicted. con-
demned TO death, reprieved and sent to
| New Caledonia"
Where he now IS" said Gollipeck
quickly, looking at him.
| Il presume So" replied Vandeloup, lag
lily. After the trial l never bothered my
head about him"
HE poisoned Adele Blondet," said the
doctor.
YES" answered Vandeloup, leaning
| forward and looking at Gollipeck. He
found she was in love with an English
man, and poisoned her-you will find il
| all in the book"
ut does not mention the Englishman,'
said the doctor, thoughtfully tapping the
table with his hand,
| Nevertheless he was implicated in il
but went away from Paris the day Brau-
| lard was arrested" answered Vandeloup
The police tried to find him, but could
not if they had it might have made some
! difference to the prisoner"
And the name of this Englishman?"
Let me see" said Nandeloup looking
up rehectively: Il almost forget it-Kes-
'roke. or Kestrike. some name like that
| He must have been a very clever man to
have escaped the French police"
All. hum said the doctor, rubbing
his nose; very interesting indeed
strange case"
Very" asSented NJ. Vandeioup, as
he arose 10 90. Il must say gooG-hy now
doctor; but I'm coming up TO Ballarat or
a visit shortly"
"Ah, hum OF course" replied COLL
peck, also rising. "and we can have an
other talk over this book"
''Thst OF any other book you like,
said Vandeloup, with a glance of surprise
but l don't see why you are so mucl
taken up with that volume; it's not s
work of genius"
''Wen. no." answered Gollipeck. look
ing at him: still. it contains some excel
lent cases of modern poisoning"
$50 l saw when l read il" returDet
vanGeloup. indiFerently. 'Good-by.
holding out his hand. "or rather l should
say au revoir." and yandeloup wakes