The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-09-11
CHAPTER XVI.
Louis d'Epernay

Louis d'Epernay.
He uttered an oath and took two
steps backward, but saw that he was
Unarmed and that he realized his help
lessness. He flung his hands above his
head and stood facing me, surprise
and terror twisting his features into
a grimacing grin.
81 have something of Importance to
say to you, monsieur" he began.
Il can believe that" I answered at
is about lie Well Ange, is it not?"
by God, 1 did not meant swear
to you, monsieur-listen, monsieur
one moment only" he stammered
am unarmed! !"
I lowered it. ''WeII, say what you
have to say" I said to him.
"Leroux is a devil!' he burst out,
with no pretended passion. ST want
you to help me, N. Hewlett, and 1
can help you In a way you do not
dream of. M. Hewlett, how much do
you think this seigniory is worth?'
Some half million dollars, per-
haps."
He came close to me and Kissed into
my ear: Monsieur, there is more gold
in these rocks than anywhere in the
Worldi Look here! Here ~
He stopped down and began tossing
pebbles at my feet. But they were
pebbles of pure gold and each one of
them was as large as the first joint of
my thumb. And I hai misjudged his
courage, I think. for 1t was avarice
and not fear that made him tremble.
at is everywhere, monsieurP' cried
Lacroix. SIP this stream, in these
hills, too. You can gather a mortar
full of earth anywhere and it will show
color when it is washed. We found
this place together"
'You and Leroux?"
mol I and
He broke off suddenly and eyed me
with furtfve cunning.
"YeS, yes, monsieur, Leroux and l.
And we two worked here together,
with nothing more than picks and
ShOvels and mortars and pestles, Lee
roux and l. There was nobody else.
1t is the richest gold deposit in the
world, NJ. Hewlett, and neither Raoul
nor Jean Petitjean knows the secret
only LerouX and I. One cannot light
upon this place save by a miracle of
chance, such as brought you here. God
put this treasure in these hills, and he
did not mean 1t to be found"
grasped him by the shoulder do
you see what this meansY' 1 shouted.
cit means a glorious life % he cried
Gall the wealth In the world"
mo, 1t means death:" I answered.
SIT means that If Leroux succeeds in
SzfI ho will III n
you suppose that he will share his
hoard with your"
mo, NJ. Hewlett" answered Lacroix
quietly. "And that is precisely what
1 wanted to say to you. You are not
a hog like Leroux; I can trust you.
Come with me, monsieur. I don't know
how you got into the wrong passage,
but it is simple-straight ahead. Come
with mel I will precede you"
I followed him into the darkness,
and very soon heard the sound Of the
cataract again. And then once more
was standing at the tunnel entrance,
under a brilliant moon and the chateau
was before me.
I strobe steadily across the snow
and opened the door in the dark wing,
entered the hall and assembled the
stairway, took the turn to the right
and passed through the little hall. I
heard Leroux's harsh voice within,
and if 1 stopped outside it was not
in indecisiOn but because I meant to
make sure of my man this TIME.
81 want you, Jacqueline," I heard
him say in a voice which betrayed no
throb of passion. Sand I am going to
have you. I always have my way. I
am not like that weak fool Hewlett"
at was I sent him away, not YOU"
she cried. 'Do you think he was
afraid of your"
Leroux looked at her in admiration.
You are a splendid woman, Jaeque-
line,' he said. ST like the way you
defy me-by heaven, I do! But you
are quite at my mercy. And you are
going to yieldI You will yield your
will to mine"
"Neverl" she cried. 81 viii fling
myself into the lake before that shall
happen An, monsieur'-her voice
took on a pleading tone-'why viii
you not take all we have and let Us
go? We are two helpless people; we
shall never betray your secrets. Why
must you have me too?"
Because 1 love you, Jacqueline. -
he cried. AID Now heard an under