The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-01-10
CHAPTER XIX.

There was great dismay at the Pactc-
lus mine when it became known that
vandeloup was going to leave. The only
two who were u~nfeignedly 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, so
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 would
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
- L. -~~,lI .--..~ II. = - -.
she might be at the station to meet him.
After his dinner he suddenly recollect-
ed that he still had the volume which DIR.
Gollipeck had lent him. so. calling a cab.
he drove to the residence of that eccentric
individual to return il.
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?" be said. laying his
hand on the book good. eh?'
very good, indeed" returned NJ. Van
deloup. smoothly; so kind of you to have
lent 1t 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. l was present at the trial." re-
piled vandeloup, quietly; ''the prisoner,
Octave Braulard, was convicted, con-
demEed to death, reprieved and sent to
New Caledonia"
Where he now is" said GolIipeck,
quickly, looking at him.
Il presume So" replied yandeIoup, Iaz-
lily. After the trial / never bothered my
head about him"
"Hc poisoned Adele Blondet,r 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 it
all in the book"
1T does not mention the Englishman,"
said the doctor, th~oughtfully tapping the
table with his hand.
Nevertheless he was implicated in 1t.
but went away from Paris the day Brau-
lard was arrested" answered vandeloup.
The police tried to find him, but could
not; IL they had 1t might have made ZONE
difference to the prisoner"
And the name of this Englishman?"
Let me see." said vandeloup, looking
up ~retiectively II almost forget it-Kes-
troke. or kestrike, some name like that.
lie must have been a very clever man to
have escaped the French police"
"Ah, hum said the. doctor, rubbing
his nose: very interesting indeed
strange case"
very" assented NJ. Vandeioup, as
he arose TO go. Il must say good-by now,
doctor but I'm coming UP to Ballarat'on
a visit shortly"
"Ah, hum OF course" replied Coli
peck, also rising. land we can have an
other talk over this book"
~Ths-t or any other book you like"
said Vandeloup, with a glance of surprise
but l don't see why you are so much
taken up with that volume; it's not a
work of genius"
well, no." answered GoIIipeck, look
ing at him still, it contains some excel
lent cases of modern poisoning"
$50 l saw when l read it," returned
Vandeloup, indifferently. "Good-by,"
holding out his hand. "or rather I should
say ~ rsvor." and Vandeloap walked