The Dermott news., 1919-09-04
CHAPTER XIV.
- Won-and Lost.

> each other for fully minute Then sa4eroux dropped his hands and smiled sourly at me.
 You Seem-temporarily- have the advantage of me. NJ Hewlett" he said. 'I respect your pertinacity, and now at last I am content in having discovered the motive of your enter prise. l thought you were hired by Carson. If you had been frank with me we might have come to an under standing long ago.
 You may leave us Nine d'Eper- nay" he said to Jacquelne. No doubt your absence will spare your feelings, for We are going to be frank In our speech.
 "l thank you for your consideration. Nj. Leroux." replied jaCqucliue, and walked quietly out of the room.
 Leroux sat down heavily.
 "I will put down my cards" he said. II have you here in my power have four men with me. This dotard"-he glanced contemptuonsly It old Du- thaine-"has no bearing on the situa= ton. You can, of course, Kill me; but that would not help you. Where k Louis d'Epernayf'
 'l have never seen the man." se- piled
 Leroux glanced lncredulously at mo. "I don't know why you are lying "a me" he said "It k not to your ad= vantage. You must have known that she was in New York: Louis must have told Carson, md he must huve i, told you. And Louis must have told you the secret Of the entrance, un- less--'
 Listen 10 me" I cried furiously ''I will not be hadgcred with any more questions. l have told you the truth. met Mime d'Epernay hy accident and I escorted her toward the chateau and followed her after you Kidnapped her, to protect her from you.
 He scowled at me feroelouSly. and then he began studying my face. l returned stare for stare. Finally he banged his biz fist down upon the table.
 Well. it doesn't matter" he said because whatever your purpose you ENuDpt up uilN HdIti. hl4d Ntu uii'ltt stand that she Is married woman. So you win. no doubt. agree to take your money and depart"
 "l shall go if she tells me to go" answered but even while I spoke my heart sank, for had little hope. That is ensily settled" answered . I.eroux. "I will bring her back and H,n IA Sfa hnr own lips
 He left the room. and I sat there alone beside the dotard. listening to the click of the ball and the ehnk of the coins and the roar of the twin catnracts above.
 There had been a sinister smooth ness in Lerouxs latest mood. did not trust the man. for all his blunt ness. suspected something. and l did not intend te relax my guard
 Leroux came back with Jaequeline before I could decide.
 "If you bid him madame. NJ. tIew- lett Is willing to take his departure" ," said Leroux to her. "IS il your wish that he remain or gof'
 "oh. want you to 20. monsieur" said Jacqucline, Clasping her hands pleadingly.
 Are you saving this of your own free will JacquelineT l cried.
 She nodded. and l saw Simon's evil face creased with suppressed mrth
 rose up. "Adieu, then. madame, !. [ said. But first permit me to restore the money that l have been keeping for you" And took out my pocket book.
 simon looked at me increduously.
 'I do not understand you in the least now. NJ. Hewlett" he exclaimed You are to keep the money. do not 20 back upon my bargains"
 '"It Is not. however, your money retorted, though knew that fl soon would be. Naturally | do not carry eight thousand dollars about with me. I shall give you check"
 LerouN burst into loud laughter and clapped me heartily upon the shoulder
 Paul Hewlett" he said with genu- inc admiration. you are good as n play. Well let us take your check, and 1t shall he accepted in full settle ment." He wluked at me and thrust hls tongue Into his cheek
 was too sick at heart to pay at- tentlon to his hutloonrry. l sat down eSt the table and, taking up n pen hich lay there. wrote a check for Night thousand dollars. making it out to Jacquellne d'Epernay. This hand ed to her.
 "Adieu, madame" l said
 "Adieu. monsieur" she answered ai- most inaudibly. her head bent low.
 went out of the room. still grip ping my pistol, and took care to let simon seq 1t as We descended the stairs side by side. The noisy laugh ter in the ballroom had ceased, but l